We hit a home run. Yesterday, I had said on FB that we wanted Houston’s Key Lime pie, which is our top favorite pies in the world and because it was Valentines and I just knew I would earn more points if I was showing my “thriftiness” by trying to make one at home instead of going and buying 2 slices which would cost about $17, I came home and googled “Houston’s Key Lime Pie” and ding dong, there on the page was a recipe that I tried last night and we sat there just in Key Lime Pie heaven…apparently, there is a chef that goes around and calls himself the CopyCat Chef by trying to duplicate different famous recipes from restaurants that people want, but cannot get…so he had one for Houston’s Key Lime Pie…I did tweak it just a little, because I totally believe their crust has cinnamon in it, plus ground up pecans or walnuts, so I did change the crust he had listed…so will give you my version of the crust, because I feel like it is closer to the real thing than what he had…so here it is!
Make your regular graham cracker crust but add 1 teas cinnamon and substitute light brown sugar for the granulated sugar. Because I was at Trader Joe’s I ended up buying their cinnamon graham crackers which are really good and then just had to add the brown sugar and crushed pecans. I made my crust in a food processor which made the crumbs really finely crushed…I also put the pecans in it at the same time plus the brown sugar. Add the amount of butter the recipe calls for. Put crumbs mixture into a 9″ pie plate and be sure that you have pushed some up the sides of the pie plate also..bake at 350 for about 8-10 min. Cool completely.
For Filling, I used 2 cans Eagle Brand Milk, 2/3 cup lime juice and 6 egg yolks. Put all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until light and all ingredients are blended well. I think using the food processor and whipping the mixture well, made it so much more light and fluffy than a normal key lime pie you get at restaurants. Pour into pie shell and bake for 15-18 min until the middle feels almost firm to the touch.
Cool completely and frost with the real thing, whipped cream that you have sweetened, but no vanilla. It will tastes just like Houston’s Key Lime Pie.
Chocolate Castles as wel 
44 thoughts on “Houston’s Key Lime Pie”
Dee
Smartie pants…glad you found the recipe that we all have wanted. Can’t wait to make it. I would have made it for tonight, but I made something “better.”
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tkbakesalot
I knew you would make something delicious…want you to taste this tonight, I saved you a piece. I did see the key lime juice! “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for by doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Heb. 13:2 Go to http://www.chocolatecastles.com for new recipes, stories and hospitality ideas!!
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Dee
Trudy…one more thing – do you know that some stores have Key-Lime Juice?
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Sue in Atlanta
thank you thank you thank you!! for perfecting this recipe…I saw Copy Cats version and the first thing I said to myself was…”Wait Houston’s pie had pecans in the crust…this guy doesn’t copy very well?”….I will try this over the weekend…I hate that Houstons only has the pie half the year….it is the best pie ever!!
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tkbakesalot
Hi Sue, I thought the same thing! Thanks for checking out my blog! Do you have a blog? Thanks, Trudy
Please go to ChocolateCastles.com for my blog! “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; Honor others above yourself” Romans 12:10
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Sparky
Well mamadacia nuts, how about that.
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TL
I know the ex-executive chef at the Houston’s in Pompano Beach, Fl – he is know longer there, but I am working on getting the recipe. I used to be the Health Inspector for the restaurant and know they use lime zest as well. If I am able to get original I will share it with you. I am from Florida and it IS the BEST KEY LIME PIE!!! I also believe they use macadamia nuts, along with pecans. Will be making your version.
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tkbakesalot
Are you serious???? I would send u boxes of cookies or brownies the rest of your life if you did that! (Please tell me you are pretty old so I wouldn’t have to be baking those for years to come!) ha. Thank you for not only reading my blog but for your thoughtfulness! Actually I made it on SundY for a party and the friends that were there said they couldn’t believe how much it tasted like Houston’s! But you are right I should have added lime zest but the pecans and cinnamon make it so different. I cannot figure out his they get theirs so fluffy instead of so “set”! I even mixed it for several min hoping it would make it fluffier! But still not quite like theirs! Blessings, Trudy
Please go to ChocolateCastles.com for my blog! “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; Honor others above yourself” Romans 12:10
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Hannah
Hi!! We’re you able to get the actual recipe?! Would lalalove to have it if you did!! Pretty please!!
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Chocolate Castles
Hi Hannah. No I didn’t. Just kept experimenting until I finally got what tasted pretty close to Houston’s. I wish I did have it.
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Monica
What are the measurements of brown sugar and pecans that I’m adding to the crust For the key-lime pie? Salted or unsalted butter? And did you ever try the macadamia nuts and/or lime zest like the guy in Florida?
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tkbakesalot
Please go to ChocolateCastles.com for my blog! “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; Honor others above yourself” Romans 12:10
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Leidy
I went to tons of links before this, what was I thkgniin?
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tkbakesalot
Hi Monica, I’m not a big “macadamia” nut gal so I have not tried that in place of pecans but yes I do add lime zest. If you use cinnamon sugared graham crackers all I would do is add 1/4 cup brown sugar to the mixture and 1/3 cup melted butter. I always use unsalted butter since that allows You to be in control of how much salt is in your recipe! Thanks for reading my blog. Let me know how it turns out and if your friend likes it as much as Houston’s. Also if you just use reg graham crackers. Add 4 tables brown sugar! Blessings, Trudy “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; Honor others above yourself” Romans 12:10
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Monica
I’ve never been to Houston’s but my “friend” says if I can make it like that he’ll never leave. Well I have nothing to compare it to since it’s a seasonal item and this is unfortunately not the season. But I’ll try it anyway. Thank you
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Elizabeth
Valuable information. Fortunate me I discovered your website accidentally, and I am shocked why this coincidence didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
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Raushanah
for the lime juice, do you use 2 to 3 cups or 2/3rd cup?
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Elsa ruiz-perez
What are the measurements for the pecans?
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tkbakesalot
Hi! Thanks for following my blog! Use 2/3 cup crushed pecans. I need to go back and correct that. So sorry! Tkbakesalot
Please go to ChocolateCastles.com for my blog! “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; Honor others above yourself” Romans 12:10
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Elsa Ruiz Perez
Also its 2 cans of condensed milk right. How much lime zest?
Elsa Ruiz-Perez
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tkbakesalot
Zest of one lime. Yes two cans
Please go to ChocolateCastles.com for my blog! “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; Honor others above yourself” Romans 12:10
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Mhoward
I have regular graham cracker crumbs and will add brown sugar and cinnamon. How much cinnamon do you add? And, do you add 1/4 cup brown sugar or 4 tablespoons? You have two different measurements above for regular vs. cinnamon graham cracker crumbs. Thanks.
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tkbakesalot
Thanks for reading the blog. Sorry just getting back to you! as far as the cinnamon i would add according to your taste, i would suggest about 1 tablespoon. As for the brown sugar use the 1/4 cup. As soon as we get home to my computer i will correct that. Sorry for the confusion! Trudy
Please go to ChocolateCastles.com for my blog! “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; Honor others above yourself” Romans 12:10
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D. Cucopulos
Do you use light brown or dark brown sugar for the crust? Does it make a difference?
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Camelia
This is great! Thank you for sharing! Do you use a whole box graham crackers? Also is it one teaspoon or tablespoon of cinnamon? Thanks!
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tkbakesalot
Hi Camelia, I use 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs and it is 1 teas of the cinnamon, not tables.
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Camelia
Awesome! Thanks! Can’t wait to try it!
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tkbakesalot
No he never did get back to me. I think it is better when it’s not baked so I usually do not bake it.
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Ed
Did the guy above that knew the executive chef at Houston’s get back to you with he recipe? Is the pie actually baked? Or is it a no bake….
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tkbakesalot
No he never did get back to me. I think it is better not baked.
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Ed
Maybe it’s a double broiler recipe?
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tkbakesalot
I just added the ll me juice to the eggs to be sure it “cooked” them letting that mixture sit for About 15 min then added the lime zest and eagle brand milk. Poured that into crust and refrigerated it over night. Was great with sweetened whipped cream.
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Susan
I see that some people do not bake this pie. Is that ok to do with raw egg yolks?
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tkbakesalot
I pour the lime juice over the yolks for about 15 min to “cook” them before adding eagle brand and zest
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JT
Love this pie as well….Stoney River’s in Louisville, KY., also has a version of this pie, but, not as sweet and tarty, but as good!
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camellia's cottage
Yum! Eagle brand makes anything taste good! Love your blog
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tkbakesalot
Hi Camellia, thank you so much! I looked at yours also and not only is it a beautiful looking blog, but so different. Enjoyed it so much! Loved your choice of topics!
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camellia's cottage
Thank you!
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AP
I tried the key lime pie at Houston’s in NO, but it did not taste the same as the key lime pie at Houston’s in Houston. I used to work across the street and ate lunch there almost daily. I’ve moved 22 years ago and really miss their pie. The first bite always caused my jaw to lock. That’s what was missing at the NO location. A couple of you mentioned adding the zest, is that the secret to the lock jaw?
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tkbakesalot
Hi. Im so sorry im just responding! Its so interesting how each place seems to take on a flavor of its own. We have only had it in CA, AZ and TX. But Houstons is still one of our favorite places to go
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bunee
I’m relatively a novice to baking but Houston’s key lime pie is my husband’s favorite and they have closed around here. So my question to you is more clarifying: in your post you say to bake it but then in the comments you say not to bake it? Please clarify. Also if you don’t bake it do you mix in the lime juice with the yolks or just pour over? Thank you!!
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Chocolate Castles
I am so sorry I am just seeing this comment. Please forgive me for not responding more quickly. It just now showed up under comments for some reason. And yes I need to go back and edit that. You do bake it for about 10-12 min. Also I just add the like juice and eggs yolks together and stir before adding to the milk mixture. I hope you like this recipe. We make it so often during the summer and it is always a hit with friends!!! Let me know what you think! Blessings, Trudy
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lindsay
Where can I find the recipe that you modified? Thanks.
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Chocolate Castles
Type in Houston’s Key Like Pie in search bar. Should pop right up. I’m so sorry I just saw your question. My computer is not working and forgot to go on comments from my phone.
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