Authentic Florida Key Lime Pie with Maria Cookie Crust
Growing up in South Florida, key lime pie was always in style (and in season). I’ve loved this sweet-tart, creamy dessert for as long as I can remember, but I wanted to give it a twist of my own.
Instead of the usual graham cracker crust, I use buttery, subtly sweet Maria cookies, just like I do in my guava swirl cheesecake. The hint of vanilla in the crust pairs perfectly with the tangy key lime filling, making each bite smooth, bright, and just oh so delicious.
Whether you serve it at a summer barbecue or make it just because it’s Tuesday, this pie brings a little taste of the Florida Keys to your kitchen. Let’s make it!
5-STAR REVIEW
“The combination of the Maria cookies and key lime sold me on this recipe, tangy, sweet, creamy and absolutely delicious! I want all my friends and family to come have a taste it’s sooo good!!!”
—Maggie
How To Know When Key Lime Pie Is Done
The instructions for making this pie are pretty self-explanatory, but knowing when your key lime pie is perfectly set can be hard to nail down. Here’s what to do.
When the baking time is up, take the pie out of the oven and give the pie plate a gentle shake. Look at the edges first, they should be completely still.
Now, watch the center of the pie as you gently shake the dish. You want it to be mostly firm with just the slightest jiggle, like jello.
Still edges and a jiggly middle means your key lime pie will slice cleanly while staying smooth and creamy.
💛 If you can get your hands on fresh key limes, go for it! You’d need about 20–25 of those little guys. That said, squeezing a million tiny key limes can be quite a workout, so using bottled key lime juice is your best bet (and what I usually use). You can also use 6-8 regular limes in a pinch.
🥚 By the way, you only need the egg yolks for this key lime pie recipe BUT don’t throw out the the egg whites. You can whip them up to make a meringue topping for this pie!
Recommended For This Recipe
Ceramic Pie Plate
This ceramic pie plate not only will look beautiful in your kitchen and the heat retention ensures evenly baked pies. Aside from that, it’s dishwasher, freezer, oven, and microwave safe!
Ok, I know what you’re thinking. “What am I going to do with the rest of this key lime juice?”…
I’m so glad you asked because you can totally make my key lime fudge when you’re done with this pie. It’s another one of my key lime faves!
Authentic Florida Key Lime Pie with Maria Cookie Crust
Ingredients
Maria Cookie Crust
- 7 ounces Maria cookies, (1 pack; about 30 cookies total)
- 4 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
Classic Key Lime Pie
- 4 large egg yolks
- 28 ounces sweetened condensed milk, (2 cans – 14 ounces each)
- 3/4 cup key lime juice*
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- In a food processor, pulse the Maria cookies until they are finely crushed into crumbs. This should give you about 2 cups of finely crushed Maria cookies.
- Transfer to a bowl with brown sugar and melted butter. Stir all the ingredients together until you get a wet sand consistency.
- Into a 9-inch pie plate, add the Maria cookie mixture and press firmly up the sides of the pie dish using your hands and to the bottom of the dish using the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes until set and golden brown. Set aside to cool.
- Pour the mixture over the cooled crust.
- Bake the pie for 15 minutes until just set. If the outer rim looks set but the middle jiggles when you gently shake the dish, it's done.
- Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack then chill for 1 hour or up to 2 days in the fridge before serving.
- Slice and serve with your favorite garnish like fresh lime zest, lime slices, whipped cream, or meringue. Enjoy!
Wow! This was so delicious! I actually had on hand one can of sweetened condensed milk and one can of coconut condensed milk, and the combination was perfect! I shared it with as many of my family as I could :)
The lime ratio is perfection!
So happy to hear, Michelle! Thank you for your comment!
The combination of the Maria cookies and key lime sold me on this recipe, tangy, sweet, creamy and absolutely delicious! I want all my friends and family to come have a taste it’s sooo good!!!
So happy you loved it!! Thank you!!