Key lime pie recipe in a loaf pan. Small key lime pie for two people (recipe makes 5 slices of pie).
I can barely contain my excitement over this small batch key lime pie recipe.
I love that you and I both love making small batch desserts in a loaf pan. We've made a cheesecake in a loaf pan (several times, actually (lemon blueberry cheesecake and a plain cherry small cheesecake in a loaf pan).
We've made small batch brownies in the bread loaf pan for years.
And up until this key lime pie recipe, this small angel food cake in a loaf pan with microwave lemon curd (of course) was my favorite.
But, after one bite of this cool and creamy key lime pie, and I've officially been swept off my feet. This is my new favorite small pie to make! Plus, it's so easy because it uses the bread loaf pan we all have in our kitchen!
Recipe notes for this small key lime pie recipe:
- I didn't use key limes. So sue me. I couldn't find them, and I'd rather use fresh lime juice and zest than bottled key lime juice. To replicate the sweet tanginess of a key lime, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
- We're using a bread loaf pan to make a small pie with 5 slices. This is the exact pan I use for all of my small-batch desserts in a bread loaf pan.
- Use a shot glass to pack the graham cracker crust firmly on the bottom and up the sides. It wouldn't be the end of the world if the filling went above the crust, but there's enough graham cracker crumbs to prevent it, so try to make the crust look like the photo below.
Once you bake the pie, you want to place it in the fridge to set overnight. We'll wait on the eggs, citrus, and sweetened condensed milk to thicken properly overnight. Plus, key lime pie is better chilled!
This pie is worth the wait. It sets so perfectly and creamy. I used a slightly higher proportion of egg yolks so that the slices would stay together more easily when slicing. The pie still melts in your mouth, though!
Since this pie only uses egg yolks, be sure to check out m collection of recipes that use egg whites only.
I love that this pie has such few ingredients! In fact, when I went to make this recipe for you, I didn't have to head to the store at all! My counter was overflowing with limes (ahem, summertime sangria margaritas are underway), and I always have sweetened condensed milk in my pantry for my making my easy fudge recipe.
Just 6 ingredients to pie! Well, plus whipped cream!
I hope you love this small key lime pie recipe, and that you find 4 friends to share it with. Or, maybe there's just one other person and you have a piece each night until you share the very last piece.
Either way, I hope your summer is full of creamy, tart key lime pie for two.
Key Lime Pie Recipe in a Loaf Pan
A small key lime pie recipe made in a loaf pan.
Ingredients
- 8 whole graham cracker sheets
- 3 tablespoons (1.5 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
- 1.5 tablespoons granulated sugar
- For the filling:
- 1 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3 limes to make 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus the zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (or use ¼ cup of all lime juice, total)
- freshly whipped cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- Line a 9x5" bread loaf pan with parchment paper with overhanding sides to use as handles to lift out the pie later. Spray the pan with cooking spray.
- Next, in a food processor, combine the graham crackers, melted butter and sugar. Pulse until the crumbs are fine crumbs and look like wet sand.
- Press the graham cracker crumbs into the pan, and using a shot glass, press the crust up all sides of the pan by 1". Take your time and press it firmly.
- Bake for 10 minutes, and let cool. Leave the oven on.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the condensed milk, citrus juices and egg yolks (reserve the egg whites for another use). Grate the zest of 1 lime using a microplane grater into the mixture and whisk to combine.
- Pour the filling into the crust and slide it back into the oven for 18-20 minutes.
- When the pie is done, it will be very slightly jiggly.
- Let the pie cool to room temperature, cover it with plastic wrap loosely, and refrigerate overnight.
- Serve the pie with whipped cream and extra freshly grated lime zest on top.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
5Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 597Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 204mgSodium: 293mgCarbohydrates: 87gFiber: 2gSugar: 69gProtein: 15g
Patty Boten says
This looks delicious, going to try it this weekend!! I love key lime pie but never make it as I don't want to eat a big pie all myself. I will enjoy this over multiple days!! So glad I found you - I look forward to trying more of your recipes. :)
Susan says
Christina, I made two of these lovely key lime pies for a fancy pot luck dinner. Guests kept arriving and, after a fabulous meal, 1/8 of each pie with whipped cream and a slice of lime was perfect for each guest. If I’d made a traditional round pie, I bet it would have been difficult to serve a narrow slice. From the bread pan, the serving lifted perfectly and looked like it was always meant to be! Who knew you crafted hostess mental health into your recipe, too? Many thanks.
Christina Lane says
Aww thanks so much, Susan :)
Elaine says
This looks fantastic! Would it be possible to have a volume measurement for the crushed graham crackers? I would like to do a wheat free substitution.
Jan says
Just love these pies in loaf pans. They are great for me , my husband and me. (No mistake). I have tried several of your recipes and ever had turned out great. But this key lime is my favorite. The first time I had key lime was in Florida visiting in laws and have like it sense , but never made it till now. Don't know why. But will be making it alot more now.
Thank you . God bless . And keep them coming
Kathy M says
Would this recipe fit into a 6 inch pie plate?
Cookie says
Hi love the concept of your site so much and made many things from it! For this one I dropped a whole egg by accident and the other 2 were yolks only, is that ok???
Anna says
Hi! This is a favorite recipe of ours and it’s perfect for our little family of 3. I want to bring it to a party this weekend. Can I double the recipe to make it a whole pie? And what would baking times/temps be for the crust and the filling? Thanks!!
CK says
Is there a particular implement you would recommend for zesting?
Thanks, in advance, if you can share.
Stephanie says
Hi Christina. is there a way to make this egg free? thank you
Christina Lane says
No, I'm sorry. Custard is dependent on eggs. Use google to find an egg-free version.
Robin Nilsson says
Hi There!
Are you able to tell me what the graham crackers = in cups? Maybe a 1/2 cup?
Thank you!!
Robin Nilsson