Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

Desserts | Ice Cream Recipes | Recipes

ByJamie SandersJune 28December 31

15 Comments

Disclosure:This post may containaffiliate links.As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to Recipe

Yes, I’ve saved the best for last…This frozen Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Recipe is for all the key lime pie lovers out there. It’s decadent. Rich. Creamy. Sweet yet tart; exactly what you would expect from an amazing key lime pie except in ice cream form!

Enjoy and don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a Cuisinart Ice Cream Machine at the bottom of the post.

Welcome to Day 5 of Ice Cream Week! (THE LAST DAY!)

I’m sharing a new ice cream recipe every day this week and giving away a brand new ice cream maker to one lucky reader! Make sure tocheck out yesterday’s recipe, Coconut Sorbet! (giveaway form at the bottom of the post.)

Delicious Key Lime Pie Ice Cream

Do you have a key lime pie lover in the house? Maybe somebody who’s been working hard in the yard in 100ﾟweather and deserves a special treat?

Or maybe it’s just the middle of the week and everyone needs a little pick me up to help make it to the weekend. If so, you’ve got to make this frozen key lime pie ice cream! It’s absolutely delicious and tastes exactly like key lime pie but in ice cream form.

And who says that your ice cream shouldn’t taste like pie or vice-versa?!

How to Make Key Lime Ice Cream in the Ice Cream Maker

This is where this recipe is so simple. All you do is combine the ingredients and add them to your ice cream maker (I use this one) and follow the directions according to your ice cream maker.

This recipe does contain eggs so you will need to heat the ice cream base first and then chill before processing.

That’s it, you’ll have some amazing key lime ice cream in no time!

Can I Make Key Lime Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker?

You definitely can, but the recipe is slightly different. The reason this particular ice cream recipe is so good is that it tastes EXACTLY like Key lime pie! (Note the 6 egg yolks, part of why it is so good.)

To make this homemade ice cream without an ice cream maker. You will:

Eliminate the eggs and increase the cream to 2 cups
Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside in the fridge
Combine the sweetened condensed milk with the lime juice. Gently fold and heavy cream into the condensed milk mixture until completely combined
Sprinkle in the graham crackers, add the mixture to the pan and freeze until firm. (about 6 to 10 hours)

How Long Will Homemade Ice Cream Last?

Since homemade ice cream does not have any stabilizers or preservatives added, it doesn’t hold up that long in the freezer. Maybe 2 weeks in a regular container and up to two months in an airtight container like this one. (I do have and like this container, however homemade ice cream never lasts more than a day or two at our house.)

Lime Ice Cream Variations:

Lime Daiquiri: Add 1/2 cup rum to the mixture before freezing.

Margarita ice cream: add 1/4 cup tequila and 1/4 cup grand mariner (or other orange liqueur) to the mixture before freezing.

Lime coconut: Replace cream with coconut milk.

Pin this recipe for later here:

Frozen Key Lime Pie Ice Cream

★★★★★5 from 5 reviews

Author: Jamie Sanders
Prep Time: 15
Total Time: 50 + freezer time
Yield: 1.5 quart 1x
Category: dessert
Method: ice cream maker

Print Recipe

Description

This frozen Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Recipe is for all the key lime pie lovers out there. It’s decadent. Rich. Creamy. Sweet yet tart; exactly what you would expect from an amazing key lime pie except in ice cream form!

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 cups heavy cream
6 large egg yolks
1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 to 15 oz
1/2 cup key lime juice
1 cup crumbled Graham Crackers

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Heat the cream in a saucepan to a simmer.
Slowly beat the hot cream into the egg yolks.
Pour the mixture back into the sauce pan and continue cooking, stirring constantly until the custard thickens and will coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.
Optional: If you spot any lump in your mixture, you can strain it through a fine mesh sieve. (I did not have any egg lumps so I skipped this step.)
Stir Sweetened condensed milk and key lime juice into the custard mixture/ key lime base.
Chill mixture in fridge until completely cool.
Process according to ice cream makers directions. At the end of the processing time add in a 1/2 cup (or more) of crumbled graham crackers.
Serve immediately or place in the freezer for a few hours to firm up

Notes

Ice cream will be dense, so process in the ice maker as long as you can to allow for more air to be incorporated.

Keywords: key lim, lime, ice cream

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't miss any more posts!

Follow along on:

Feedly,Bloglovin', your favorite feed reader, or signing up via email and have new posts delivered to your email box each week!

About the AuthorJamie Sanders is a wife and mom of 2, located in the heart of Texas. She founded Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom in 2011 as a place to share creative ideas and family friendly recipes. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart, Woman’s World, HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, CNET, Good Housekeeping, Yahoo, Oprah Daily, and Redbook, plus many other publications. To date, she had given away just under a million free pdf sewing patterns.

FAQs

What ice cream pairs with key lime pie? ›

Key lime pie and coconut ice cream

The best way to complement this pie and take it to a new level is to pair it with a creamy coconut ice cream. There aren't many obstructive textures in this combination, and the brightness of the lime will easily match with the creaminess of the coconut ice cream.

What is the difference between Florida key lime pie and key lime pie? ›

Of course, some people like a dessert with a bit of bite and appreciate that extra acidity. The main difference seems to be that it requires a lot more of that aromatic Key lime juice to make the famous pie sing.

Show Me More ›

Can I substitute regular lime juice for key lime juice in key lime pie? ›

While the flavor will be significantly different, you can also use regular limes or a combination of lime and lemon juice. Key Lime Zest: If you cannot get fresh key limes, you can substitute regular lime zest. Make-Ahead: This pie can be made up to 2 days in advance.

Keep Reading ›

What flavor compliments key lime? ›

Key limes also go particularly well with coconut. While the lime can be overwhelmingly tart, it works nicely with the rich, sweet flavor of coconut. Try pairing Key lime and coconut in a scone.

Know More ›

What city is famous for Key lime pie? ›

The sweet and tart pie reportedly originated in Key West, Florida, in the late 19th century. The use of sweetened condensed milk, an essential ingredient, is probably because fresh milk and refrigeration were uncommon in the isolated Florida Keys until the 1930s.

View Details ›

Why is Publix Key lime pie so good? ›

Rather, the key to perfecting the Publix key lime pie is a simple ingredient added to the graham cracker crust. It's not the graham crackers themselves that make the crust special, but rather the unique addition of crushed toasted almonds.

Show Me More ›

Can I use lime juice instead of Key lime juice? ›

(Some residents of the Florida Keys and true Key lime pie aficionados will only use Key limes from the Keys.) If you can't find them anywhere, however, you can substitute a combination of regular fresh lime juice and fresh lemon juice in equal proportions.

Discover More ›

What is a fun fact about Key lime pie? ›

One theory is that the treat originated from a sponge fisherman. Sponge fishing was a booming business in Florida and rations on the boat like sugar, eggs, canned milk, soda crackers, some nuts, and citrus fruit were cheap. Consequently, the fishermen concocted this tart, sweet treat and brought it on land.

Discover More ›

What makes Key lime pie thicken? ›

The only other ingredients you need are sweetened condensed milk and a pie shell to pour the mixture into. Here's the science: The acid in the key lime juice reacts with the proteins in the milk to thicken the mixture. That's why you don't need to bake it.

Keep Reading ›

Can I freeze a Key lime pie? ›

Yes! You can freeze Key lime pie for up to three months (but make sure you don't add whipped cream or toppings until after it's thawed). If you plan to freeze the pie, bake it in a foil pan. Wrap the cooled pie in at least one layer of storage wrap, then follow it up with at least one layer of foil.

Show Me More ›

What color is a real Key lime pie? ›

The color, however, is not a matter of choice. Genuine Key lime pies are yellow. Always.

What to do if you can't find key limes? ›

If you can't find key limes, use regular limes in a pinch. Italian meringue. Or just by Edward's frozen key lime pie. Better than any home made I've had.

Show Me More ›

What pairs well with Key lime pie? ›

Haarberg recommends pairing your Key lime pie—famous for its tangy flavor and creamy texture—with a sparkling brut rosé.

Read The Full Story ›

What pies go good with vanilla ice cream? ›

Pumpkin Pie and Vanilla Ice Cream

Whether you're a pumpkin pie lover or hater the warming spices in the custard pair perfectly with a smooth, rich vanilla ice cream. I particularly love Cream + Sugar's Vanilla because it's creamy without being heavy, has a rich but subtle vanilla flavor and it's just dang good.