Writer Yvette Cardozo graciously shares the more than 50 year-old recipe for a traditional and authentic Key Lime Pie (borrowed from her mom’s memory). As every traditional key lime pie should be, it’s tart, sweet, and rich.

Save this article for making traditional Key Lime Pie to Pinterest. Photo courtesy Yvette Cardozo. Graphic courtesy Real Food Traveler.

Hungry for more? See why Key Lime Pie is just one of the iconic Key West, FL foods to try.

Traditional Key Lime Pie Recipe

Recipe courtesy of RFT Contributor Yvette Cardozo and her mom (thanks mom)

Ingredients:
4 slightly beaten egg yolks
1/2 cups Key lime juice
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
1 9-inch graham cracker crust

Method:
Though it’s best to use fresh Key limes, they are hard to get. A good alternative is Nellie & Joe’s Key Lime juice sold in most grocery stores and through this Amazon link.
The cornstarch may or may not be authentic, but it helps the pie set.
Mix juice and cornstarch.
Combine egg yolks and milk and SLOWLY add lime juice/starch mixture.
Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees to set the pie contents.
Let cool and refrigerate.
Top with fresh whipped cream (though that is not authentic, according to my mom).

Key lime pie, a signature dessert in Florida, made with egg yolks, lime juice and sweetened condensed milk. The original recipe comes from the pioneer days in Key West, Florida.

– Story and photo by Yvette Cardozo, Real Food Traveler Ski & Dive Editor

Hungry for more? Get the recipe for a pie that comes from this Wisconsin pie shop.