Description
Key lime pie jars bring tropical zest to classic dessert lovers, combining creamy graham cracker layers with tangy lime custard. Sweet and refreshing, these portable treats will transport you to sunny Florida beaches with each delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (14 ounces / 400 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed key lime juice
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Garnish and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A few drops of green gel food coloring (optional)
- Thin lime slices or curls for garnish
Instructions
- Craft a crumbly foundation by blending graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter until the mixture resembles damp beach sand. Distribute 2-3 tablespoons into each jar, firmly pressing to create a solid base layer.
- Configure the oven to 350F (175C), preparing for baking.
- Generate a silky filling by whisking sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, key lime juice, and lime zest until completely uniform. Optionally introduce green gel food coloring for enhanced visual appeal.
- Carefully distribute the filling across jars, gently layering over the prepared crust.
- Position jars within a baking dish, surrounding them with approximately 1 inch of hot water to create a gentle water bath. Bake for 12-15 minutes, monitoring until centers stabilize with a slight tremor.
- Extract from oven and allow natural cooling to room temperature. Transfer to refrigerator, chilling for a minimum of 2 hours to set completely.
- Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla, incorporating air until achieving stiff, voluminous peaks.
- Finish by adorning chilled jars with elegant whipped cream swirls and decorative lime garnishes, transforming each jar into a sophisticated dessert presentation.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for a celiac-friendly version.
- Use coconut cream instead of dairy whipped cream to create a vegan-friendly dessert that maintains the creamy texture.
- Reduce sugar content by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a low-carb, diabetic-friendly adaptation of the recipe.
- Freeze the prepared jars for an ice cream-like summer treat that intensifies the tangy lime flavor and provides a refreshing dessert option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 367 kcal
- Sugar: 37 g
- Sodium: 115 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 63 mg