Stop right there and make this crazy easy No Bake Key Lime Pie made with Cool Whip not cream cheese! You only need 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to make this easy no bake dessert.
Table of contents
You will not believe how easy this pie is. It’s a little tangy, a little sweet, and so simple you can make it and eat it tonight. I got this recipe from a church youth leader I had when I was in high school.
After making a chocolate chip cookie dough cake last week I had a half can of sweetened condensed milk sitting in my fridge and didn’t want to go to the store for more just to make this.
Happy day for laziness! Using less sweetened condensed milk results in a tangy taste and a filling that holds its shape better, much more like my Vanilla Pudding Pie.
Ingredients you need
- key lime juice
- cool whip thawed
- sweetened condensed milk
- graham cracker crust (or homemade version)
Optional:
- toasted coconut
- additional cool whip
I choose to not add green food coloring but you totally can if you want.
The shredded coconut is also optional but we liked the extra texture it added to the cake. And really lime + coconut (cue the song…).
How to make this
- Combine the key lime juice, thawed cool whip, and the sweetened condensed milk. Whip it until smooth and pour into the prepared crust.
- Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving.
- If desired, top with toasted coconut and/or whipped cream.
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Top Tips for cooking with kids
This is a great recipe to let the kids make by themselves! I know that can be scary but since it is mainly a mix and pour recipe you can turn the reins over to them.
For younger kids, you can let them make a graham cracker crust as well. Give them a plastic bag and a rolling pin to crush the crackers.
For older kids, let them use a food processor (with adult supervision) if you have one so they can become familiar with it.
See here for more tips on cooking with kids!
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Recipe
Ingredients
Key Lime Filling
- 3/8 cup key lime juice (3/8 equal to 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp)
- 12 oz cool whip thawed
- 7 oz sweetened condensed milk 1/2 of a 14 oz can
- Green food coloring optional
1 Prepared Graham Cracker Crust (or homemade version below)
- 18 graham crackers
- 1/2 cup butter melted
Topping
- 2/3 cup shredded coconut unsweetened
Instructions
- Crush graham crackers until very fine. I find this works best in a food processor but you can also a rolling pin and a Ziploc bag. If using a food processor, add the melted butter to the crushed graham crackers and process until it is completely combined. If using the rolling pin method, pour the graham cracker crumbs into a bowl and then add the melted butter. Mix well.
- Combine the key lime juice, thawed cool whip, and the 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk. Whip it until smooth and pour into the prepared crust.
- Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving.
- If desired, toast coconut in a pan over medium high heat stirring constantly for about 5 minutes. Just before serving top with toasted coconut.
Man I wish it were warmer. The time when no-bake pies are a method to battle turning on the oven. However right now we have snow in our future but dang that sounds so good. Here’s to warmer weather – sooner or later!
It’s a perk of living in sunny Southern California, it doesn’t take long to warm up! Hope it warms up for you soon!
This sounds amazing!
Thanks!
Love key lime pie and it sounds like you tweaked this recipe to perfection.
Thanks Wendy! The best recipes are those you keep coming back to, right?
I am a crazy key lime pie fan. I love your recipe. Looking forward to making it for the family.
Thanks Eileen! Your kind words are so sweet.
Wow! This looks so easy peasy! Can’t wait to give it a try.
Hope you love it Karen!
We are huge key lime fans here and I love that coconut on top. We are going to have to get this on our menu ASAP!
My husband was JUST asking about Key Lime Pie. Now I have a recipe. Thanks, Jade.
Awesome! Hope he loves it Camilla.
key lime pie is a favorite of mine…. Ive never tried it with cool whip. I bet the texture is amazing! Pinning to try it for a spring dinner!
It’s definitely smooth, soft and creamy which is nice and refreshing
I love citrus flavors. My sister used to make something very similar to this with lemon and it was such a favorite. Looks great!
Ooo, a creamy lemon pie would be so refreshing as well!
This is one of my favorite pies—and it could be dangerous to now have such an easy recipe! I love that coconut topping, too!
That is the one kicker with easy recipes- sometimes they are too easy!