These adorable individual mini key lime pies are the perfect sweet treat everyone will enjoy. Each little pie has the perfect balance of sweet and tart. The key lime filling is tangy and tart, and the sweet and creamy homemade whipped cream with a touch of lime zest is light and refreshing.
Key lime pie has been one of my favorite citrus desserts for years. I never understood what the fuss was about until a friend of mine made a key lime pie with a recipe she got from a restaurant down in the Florida Keys. They were nice enough to share it with her, and she made it with real key limes – not regular limes. I had had “key lime pie” before, but when I had her version made with authentic key limes, I was hooked. Over the years, I’ve made her recipe a few times, and I wanted to do something different with it. So, I converted it to this mini key lime pie recipe. I use key limes whenever possible, but I’ll be honest: when they’re not available, I use regular limes. It’s still delicious!
Mini Key Lime Pies
These mini key lime pies start with a rich, creamy lime custard filling. It’s an easy custard that comes together in a matter of minutes. I cook it until it’s nice and thick, then I pour it into mini pie crusts. I chill it until it’s set and cold, then I top it with homemade whipped cream. It’s just that simple. When I’m feeling fancy, I’ll top each pie with a lime zest and a slice of lime to make it extra pretty. This dessert is a great one for both weeknight desserts or to serve at parties. It looks fancy, but it’s so easy, and everyone loves its intense lime flavor and rich texture.
Why You’ll Love This Mini Key Lime Pie Recipe
- The flavor combination of the tart and tangy lime filling, along with the light and refreshing whipped cream topping, is simply irresistible.
- They offer a delightful taste of the full-sized pies in individual portions, which allows for perfect portion control.
- The individual servings create a charming and irresistible presentation that will definitely please and impress your guests.
Mini Key Lime Pie Ingredients
You’ll only need simple, basic ingredients to make this recipe, and most of them are in your kitchen right now. Anything you don’t have can be found quickly and easily at your local grocery store.
Key Lime Pie
- Mini pie crust
- Whole milk
- Granulated sugar
- Egg yolks
- Fresh lime juice
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Lime zest
- Lime extract
Whipped Cream Topping
- Heavy whipping cream
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
How to Make Mini Key Lime Pies
Aside from the mini pie crusts, this recipe is entirely homemade. BUT don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s complicated. It’s actually very simple, and it only takes a few minutes of prep to make. The most time-intensive part of the recipe is chilling the pies!
Step 1: Combine the Eggs and Lime Juice
Whisk the egg yolks, cornstarch, ¼ cup milk, and salt in a mixing bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Custard
Mix the milk and sugar in a large pot and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Then, remove it from the heat and slowly pour half of it into the egg mixture, whisking to combine and temper the eggs. Pour the tempered egg mixture into the pot and stir in the lime zest and extract until well combined. Stir until the custard thickens.
Step 3: Fill and Chill
Divide the custard evenly between the mini pie crusts. Then, place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper directly on top of the custard, pressing down slightly to ensure the custard is completely covered. Chill for about 2 hours.
Step 4: Make the Whipped Cream
Beat the heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Pipe the whipped cream on top of the chilled mini key lime pies. Top each pie with lime zest and a lime slice if desired.
Recipe Tips
- Pour the hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs while whisking vigorously. This allows the eggs to temper, mixing with the liquid rather than scrambling.
- Stir continuously while the custard thickens for the best texture.
- Be sure your plastic wrap or parchment paper is in full contact with the entire surface of each pie to prevent skin from forming on the custard.
- Stop beating the whipped cream when stiff peaks form. Overbeating will deflate the cream.
Variations
- Substitute lemon for lime to make mini lemon pies.
- Look for key limes whenever possible, but regular limes work, as well.
- You can use premade whipped topping if you prefer.
What to Serve with Mini Key Lime Pies
Serve these pies with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea. Their sweet, tart flavor also works well with dark chocolate and fresh berries for a dessert plate that’s full of texture and flavors.
Recipe FAQ
Key lime pie is said to have originated in Key West, Florida, in the 1890s by a woman called “Aunt Sally”. The story goes that she created the pie in the kitchen of the Curry Mansion, where she had access to sweetened condensed milk, and ingredient commonly used in recipes at the time due to fresh milk and refrigeration being uncommon in the remote Keys until the 1930s.
Key limes are what make the key lime pie so special. Key limes are a bit sweeter and less acidic than regular lemons, giving the pie the absolute perfect balance of richness, tartness, and sweetness. While regular lime pie is good, key lime pie has a certain sweet spot of tang and sweetness that can’t be duplicated with regular limes.
You can absolutely use regular lime juice in place of key lime juice. The flavor of the pie will be more tart, but it will still be delicious.
Mini key lime pies will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator when stored properly.
You shouldn’t freeze any type of custard dessert, including this key lime pie. They don’t freeze well, and the custard will separate after thawing.
How to Store Leftover Mini Key Lime Pies
Wrap the pies loosely in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Try This Delicious Mini Key Lime Pie Recipe Today
These mini key lime pies are loaded with sweet and tangy lime flavor, rich custard texture, and luscious whipped cream. What they aren’t loaded with is work! With just a few minutes of prep and some chilling time, you’ll have delicious, homemade mini key lime pies that everyone will love. They look fancy enough for parties and special occasions, but they’re easy enough for a weeknight dessert! Give them a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making them again and again.
More Delicious Mini Pie Recipes You’ll Love
These Mini Lemonade Cream Cheese Pies are an easy and refreshing no-bake pie recipe made with a delicious and creamy cream cheese lemonade pie filling and topped with homemade whipped cream.
Mini Key Lime Pies
Ingredients
- 12 mini pie crust
Key Lime Filling
- 3 cups milk, divided
- ½ cup sugar
- 5 egg yolks
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon key lime zest
- 1½ teaspoons lime extract
Homemade Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cornstarch, ¼ cup milk, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large pot, mix together 2¾ cup milk and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Once mixture comes to a simmer, turn off heat and pour half into the egg yolk mixture and whisk to combine well and then pour into the pot with remaining milk and sugar mixture. Stir in lime zest and lime extract until well combined.
- Stir well until custard thickens.
- Spoon custard into mini pie crust and spread evenly.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper on top of custard, pressing down lightly to cover the entire pie filling.
- Place in the fridge to cool and set up for 2 hours.
- In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Pipe whipped cream on top of the chilled custard. Top each pie with lime zest and a lime slice, if desired.
Notes
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