You will not believe how crazy easy this No Bake Key Lime Pie is. It’s a little tangy, a little sweet, and so simple you can make it and eat it tonight.
This no bake key lime pie recipe I got from a church youth leader I had when I was in high school. I used to make it all the time because my husband loves key lime pie but he never really liked this version and could never tell me why.
Finally one time he finally figured out what it was- he thought it was too sweet.
After sitting unloved for so many years I decided to dust it off for Pi Day because it is so ridiculously easy it didn’t feel right to sit on it any longer. And after making a chocolate chip cookie dough cake last week I had a half can of sweetened condensed milk sitting in my fridge.
That’s when it dawned on me how to make the cake less sweet (seriously, I needed a Gibbs smack to the back of the head there), use less condensed milk!
He was much happier with the resulting tangy taste and I was much happier with the texture of the pie which had always tended to be a little runny when I was trying to add extra key lime juice to make it more tart (insert second Gibbs smack). Now it holds its shape much more like my Vanilla Pudding Pie.
Ingredients you need:
Key Lime Filling
- key lime juice
- cool whip thawed
- sweetened condensed milk
- Green food coloring
1 Prepared Graham Cracker Crust (or homemade version below)
- graham crackers
- butter
Topping
- 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 no bake key lime pie:
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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.
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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.
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Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving.
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If desired, toast coconut in a pan over medium high heat stirring constantly for about 5 minutes. Just before serving top with toasted coconut.
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Other recipes you may like:
Crazy Easy No Bake Key Lime Pie 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.
Nutrition
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!