Recipe By: Gia Coppola
Filmmaker and photographer known for Palo Alto and The Last Showgirl, with a gift for entertaining BFFs through approachable, high-low recipes.

Bright, creamy key lime pie with buttery graham cracker crust, cloud-soft whipped cream, and citrusy zest. Tart, sweet, chilled, and vacation-coded.

1 1/2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted and cooled
5 Tablespoons Sugar
1/2 Cups Freshly Squeezed Key Lime Juice
4 large egg yolks
1 Tablespoons Grated Key lime Zest, plus more for garnish
1 1/2 Cups Heavy Cream, chilled
1 Can (14 ounces) Sweetened Condensed Milk

1️⃣ Start With The Crust
Heat your oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Mix until everything looks sandy, buttery, and very ready for its beach vacation.

2️⃣ Press & Bake
Press the mixture into a 9-inch pie plate, making sure it’s snug across the bottom and up the sides. Bake until lightly browned, about 12 minutes.

3️⃣ Cool It Down
Remove the crust from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Let it cool completely before the filling joins the party.

4️⃣ Lower The Oven
Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. Key lime pie likes a gentler heat once the creamy stuff gets involved.

5️⃣ Make The Filling
In a medium bowl, gently whisk together the condensed milk, egg yolks, key lime juice, and zest until smooth, bright, and citrusy.

6️⃣ Fill The Crust
Pour the filling into the prepared, cooled crust. Try not to eat it with a spoon. This is a pie, not a lifestyle choice.

7️⃣ Bake Until Just Set
Return the pie to the oven and bake until the center is set but still gives a little quiver when the pan is nudged, about 15 to 17 minutes.

8️⃣ Let It Cool Completely
Transfer the pie to a wire rack and let it cool all the way down. Patience is part of the recipe, unfortunately.

9️⃣ Whip The Cream
Shortly before serving, combine the cream and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.

🔟 Finish With Flair
Whisk on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon the whipped cream over the cooled pie, garnish with extra zest, and serve immediately.

Discover your next go-to read! Our curated Newsletter Recommendation Hub is stacked with top picks—from finance and food to travel, fashion, AI, and more. Sign up and explore!