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This no bake key lime pie is the easy, no oven summer dessert that tastes like you fussed over it for hours when you really did not. A handful of ingredients, ten minutes of hands on work, and the fridge does the rest. It is creamy, tangy, and just sweet enough, with a buttery graham cracker crust and a cool lime filling that slices clean every single time.
If you have ever had a no bake pie turn out runny or soupy, this is the version that fixes that, and I am going to walk you through exactly why it sets. The filling comes together with just three core ingredients plus the lime, so it is about as close to a 3 ingredient no bake key lime pie as it gets.
Since you’re here you will also love The Best Chilled Crumbl Key lime Pie Cookies, The best Starbucks lime frosted coconut bars, and even Easy Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Pancakes.
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Here is the thing nobody tells you about no bake key lime pie. The lime juice is not just there for flavor. The acid in the lime juice reacts with the proteins in the cream cheese and the sweetened condensed milk and thickens the filling as it chills. That is the whole trick. It is the same reason a classic key lime pie sets in the oven, except here the acid does the work in the fridge instead of the heat doing it in the oven. Think of it as a refrigerator pie or icebox pie that sets itself.
So when someone tells me their no bake key lime pie came out runny, my first question is always whether they measured the lime juice. Too little acid and it never fully sets. I learned this the hard way when I was testing a no cream cheese version for a reader who could not have it, and watching how the filling behaved with and without it taught me more about why this pie works than any recipe ever did. I am sharing that no cream cheese version below, since so many of you have asked for it.
Why you need to make this recipe!
- It is genuinely easy. If you can stir and whip cream, you can make this no bake key lime pie.
- No oven and no cooking required, perfect for hot summer days. A true no cook dessert.
- It slices clean and holds its shape thanks to the acid set filling.
- Quick to put together and make ahead friendly. Serve it chilled or even frozen.
- Works with key limes or regular limes, fresh or bottled juice.
Ingredients for this easy key lime pie recipe
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this key lime pie. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.
- Graham cracker crust. A 10 inch store bought crust keeps this a true lazy girl recipe, but a homemade graham cracker crust with crumbs and melted butter works beautifully too.
- Cream cheese. Gives the filling its creamy, sliceable no bake cheesecake texture. Use it at room temperature so it blends smooth with no lumps.
- Sweetened condensed milk. Use regular full fat. It sweetens the filling and works with the lime juice to set it.
- Key lime juice and zest. The star. The juice brings the tang and is also what thickens and sets the filling. The zest deepens the lime flavor.
- Heavy cream. Whipped to stiff peaks and folded in, it makes the filling light and airy.
- Powdered sugar and vanilla. For the homemade whipped cream topping.
Do I have to use key limes?
Nope! Regular limes work just as well and will save you time when juicing them. The tiny flavor difference is not notin’t use Key limes.
How to make a no-bake key lime pie?
This is how you can make this citrus pie. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!
- In a large bowl mix the sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, key lime zest, and cream cheese until smooth and combined. You can do this by hand, in a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer, with a hand mixer, or even in a food processor (it’s that easy!)
- Whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form then fold it into the lime and cream cheese mixture. If you used a food processor, transfer the mixture to a bowl to be able to fold in the whipped cream.
- Pour into the graham cracker crust and let set and chill in the fridge for 4 hours or overnights.
Make the whipped cream topping
- Whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Decorate the key lime pie with it, top with lime slices, and serve.
Recipe variations
- Homemade pie crust-Graham cracker cookie crust made from scratch might be more fun to make if you have time. Just make sure that you’re using a 10-inch pie plate.
- Change up the whipped cream decorations- I used a star tip and piped the whipped cream all around, you can just plop it on top, or decorate it any way you want to make this pie really your own.
How to make no bake key lime pie with no cream cheese
A lot of you search specifically for a no bake key lime pie with no cream cheese, so here is how to make it work. Skip the cream cheese and increase the heavy cream to 2 cups total for the filling. Whip the full 2 cups to stiff peaks, then gently fold in the sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and zest.
Without the cream cheese the filling is lighter and more mousse like, closer to a lime icebox pie, and it still sets because the acid in the lime juice thickens the condensed milk. It will be a touch softer than the cream cheese version, so give it the full overnight chill. This is also the closest you will get to a simple 3 ingredient no bake key lime pie filling: condensed milk, lime, and cream.
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
I always like to use fresh lime juice when making desserts but I understand that it is more readily available in stores all year round so when in a pinch it’s okay.
You can store this pie in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 3 days. The longer the pie sits the soggier the crust will become because of the moisture in the pie filling.
Yes! Key lime pie freezes so well. You can store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Two usual culprits. Either it did not chill long enough, or there was not enough lime juice. The acid in the juice is what sets this pie, so measure the juice carefully and give it a full 4 hours minimum, or overnight.
Yes. See the no cream cheese version above, where extra whipped cream replaces it. You can also swap in mascarpone for an even richer filling.
The filling is basically three core ingredients plus the lime: cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream, brought together with key lime juice and zest. The no cream cheese version is even simpler.
Lazy girl No bake key lime pie
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 14 oz sweet condensed milk
- 1/2 cup key lime juice or lime juice
- 1 tbsp lime zest about 2-3 key limes
- 1 cup heavy cream cold
- 10 inch graham cracker crust store bought
Whipped cream topping
- 3/4 cup heavy cream cold
- 1 & 1/2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and lime zest until smooth and creamy without any lumps.8 oz cream cheese, 14 oz sweet condensed milk, 1/2 cup key lime juice, 1 tbsp lime zest
- In a separate large or medium bowl, whip the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Pour the whipped cream over the cream cheese mixture and gently fold to combine.1 cup heavy cream
- Pour the mixture onto the 10-inch graham cracker crust, gently spread the mixture all around then pop in the fridge to set for at least 4 hours or overnight.10 inch graham cracker crust
- Once you're ready to serve it, you can serve it as is but I like to make whipped cream by whipping the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until stiff peaks form. Pipe it around the edges, decorate with lime slices or lime zest and serve imediatlely.3/4 cup heavy cream , 1 & 1/2 tbsp powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So so freaking good , I cut the sweetness down to 10 oz of sweetened condensed milk and increased the whipped cream to 1 1/2 cups … freshly grated like on top … delish and easy to make .. Thank you
I love the tweaks you made. So glad you liked them 🙂
Hi! I’d like to make this one week ahead can I freeze this and then do the whip topping the day of? Thank you.
Yes you absolutely can!
I’m really excited about trying your recipe. I have certain someone that LOVES key lime mango pie. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on modifying your recipe to include fresh mango puree? Thank you for sharing with all of us and I’ll post back to let you know how well this goes over with all of my key lime pie lovers.
I have never tried it with mango puree. If you do let me know how it comes out 🙂
Have you tried this recipe with lemon instead of lime? Obviously wouldn’t be key lime pie, but wondering if it would be tasty
I haven’t tried that but it should work and should be delicious!
Is the Nutrition Facts for the whole pie?
It’s per slice. These are very rich!