Key Lime Pie Recipe | Carnation (2024)

FAQs

How many key limes for 1 cup juice? ›

This can vary depending on the ripeness, size, and juiciness of your fruit, but as a general rule, you will need approximately 18-20 key limes for 1 cup of juice.

Ordinary limes make an exceptional Key lime pie, and they are a much better alternative to bracingly tart bottled Key lime juice. This pie tastes every bit as authentic as the real deal — plus it's easier to make.

Overbaking causes the egg whites to shrink and squeeze out small droplets of moisture. Always make sure to check on your pie at the minimum baking time. Undissolved sugar in the egg whites can also cause weeping.

Combining the lime juice with the egg yolks and condensed milk creates a chemical reaction that causes the mixture to thicken all on its own (the acid causes the proteins in the yolks and milk to bond together).

To make a cup of fresh lime juice, you would need 8 limes. In a pound of limes, there are usually 4-5 limes, which means that a pound of limes has between 8 and 10 tablespoons or 1/2 to 2/3 cups of fresh lime juice.

In general, there's an easy ratio to remember: One lime equals two tablespoons of juice. It's also the equivalent of about one ounce of juice per lime. Limes are usually available year-round, but they're the most in season from June to August, so they'll be at their best quality during the summer months.

Nothing will bring forward the bright, citrusy, natural flavors and acidity like fresh squeezed limes. However, bottled lime juice is certainly a convenient option. If you decide to go this route, make sure to choose a high-quality brand that is 100% lime juice with no added sweeteners or flavors.

You may substitute the key lime juice with a mixture of 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup fresh lime juice.

Be sure to keep your pie covered with the provided dome lid and additional plastic wrap to keep it air tight. How long can I keep key lime pie out of the refrigerator? We recommend leaving your pie pie out at room temperature for no longer than 4 hours.

How long will my pie last out of the refrigerator? We recommend to leave your pie out at room temperature for no longer than 4 hours.

Why is my key lime pie green? ›

Sloan, author of “The Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook” and co-founder of the Key Lime Festival in Key West said. "People started putting green food coloring in so people knew they weren't getting screwed over and being served a lesser pie.

In terms of taste, key limes have a higher acidity, making them a little more tart than what we consider "regular limes." This makes them ideal for pairing with sweeter ingredients, hence the ever-popular Key lime pie.

People expected their authentic Key lime pies to be green, matching the bright green lime color of the Persian limes they saw in their grocery stores. Key lime pie filling, however, takes its yellow color from the egg yolks used in its production.

“Key lime juice has no color.” The genuine pie gets its yellow color, she added, from the egg yolks that are used in it. Key lime pie has long had a place in Key West lore.

There was plenty of juice in each lime to make about 2 tablespoons of juice. The next time you're using fresh lime juice, you'll know exactly how many limes to add to your grocery list. Photo by Melanie Fincher.

In fact, it takes about 20-25 Key Limes to get 1/2 cup (120 ml/grams) of Key Lime juice. Whereas you need only 4-5 Persian limes to get the same amount of juice. Key Limes are a small, round, hard, yellow and green colored, very acidic fruit that grows in Florida.

Key lime juice is prized for being tart and super-aromatic. You can use them in place of regular limes in any recipe, but they're an ideal choice for sweetened-up desserts like Key lime pie, cupcakes or thumbprint cookies.