Key Lime Pie Ice Cream (So Easy!)

This Key Lime Pie Ice Cream is loaded with all of the familiar flavors of your favorite pie — even the crunchy graham cracker crust!

This guest post was written by Jamie of My Baking Addiction. 

Creating This Key Lime Ice Cream Recipe

One of my absolute favorite summer flavors is lime. From recipes like No Bake Mango Lime Cheesecake and Cherry Limeade Slushies to sweet and tart margaritas, nothing screams summer quite like bright citrusy flavor.

I’ve actually contemplated purchasing an indoor fruit tree, but considering I completely lack a green thumb, I figure that it would survive about a week — tops. Trust me, I can’t even keep parsley alive, which is pretty pathetic.

Gardening woes aside, this ice cream is loaded with all of the familiar flavors of your favorite key lime pie recipe, even the crunchy graham cracker crust — and it’s incredibly simple to make.

No bases to heat and chill, you simply whisk the ingredients together and freeze according to your machine’s directions. After a short time, you’ll have a dreamy, velvety ice cream bursting with key lime flavor.

What better way to cool off than with this simple key lime pie ice cream?

What I Love About this Key Lime Pie Ice Cream

3 reasons I think this is the best recipe for key lime ice cream:

1. This ice cream recipe feels a little bit like cheating because it is so easy to make!
2. It has all of the flavors of traditional key lime pie, including the graham cracker crumbs, but it doesn’t require turning the oven on – the best in the summer!
3. It is so creamy. Sometimes homemade ice cream can be a bit icy and firm. Not this recipe!

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Tools Needed for This Recipe

You’ll need a few kitchen tools to prepare this lime ice cream recipe. Here’s what I recommend having on hand before getting started:

• Ice cream maker: We love this ice cream maker from Cuisinart. It’s very easy to use and makes big batches.
• Ice cream scoop: Place the ice cream scoop under running warm water to make it easier to scoop out the key lime ice cream.
• Ice cream freezer containers: Make your homemade ice cream look professional!

Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Ingredients

This key lime ice cream recipe calls for just six basic ingredients!

• Whole Milk
• Key Lime Juice
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Salt
• Sweetened Condensed Milk
• Graham Crackers
• Garnish: Key Lime Wedges or Lime Zest

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make Key Lime Pie Ice Cream

This is a very easy lime ice cream recipe, but it does require an ice cream machine. Here’s how the recipe comes together:

1. In a large bowl, combine the milk, key lime juice, heavy cream, salt, and sweetened condensed milk; whisk to combine.
2. Optional, but recommended: chill the ice cream base for 4 hours, or up to overnight, before churning.
3. Pour mixture into your ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Stir 1/3 cup crushed graham crackers into ice cream. Spoon ice cream into a freezer-safe container, and cover and freeze for 1 hour or until firm. 
5. Sprinkle each serving with 1 teaspoon graham crackers.

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Tips for Making the Best Key Lime Ice Cream

• This lime ice cream recipe uses heavy cream and whole milk to get that extra creamy texture. Don’t try to substitute either ingredient for something lower in fat.
• Make sure you have put the insert for your ice cream maker in the freezer at least 12 hours prior to churning the ice cream, or longer if your manufacturer’s user manual instruct to do so. You need to make sure it is frozen solid so the ice cream base freezes as it churns.
• You’ll achieve the smoothest, creamiest ice cream by churning an already chilled base, so I recommend that you chill the ice cream mixture for at least a few hours before you churn it.

Key Lime Pie Ice Cream FAQs

Got questions about how to make this recipe for lime ice cream? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

Can This Recipe Be Made Without an Ice Cream Maker?

No ice cream maker? No worries. You can still whip up this delicious key lime pie ice cream recipe without any fancy tools. Here’s how:

How to Make Key Lime Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker

I just happen to own an ice cream maker, so I use it when making this key lime ice cream, but you can use the no churn ice cream method, too.

If NOT using an ice cream maker, place the ice cream base in a freezer safe container with plenty of room for stirring. Then, transfer the container with the ice cream base in it to the freezer and freeze for about 2 hours.

After 2 hours, remove the pan from the freezer and stir it to break up any frozen chunks. Make sure you scrape along the edges of the pan as well.

Return to the freezer and freeze for 30-40 minutes. Repeat the stirring and freezing until the key lime ice cream mixture is thick and frozen.

What Can I Substitute for Key Limes?

I prefer to use fresh key lime juice. If you can’t find fresh key limes in your grocery store, you can definitely use bottled key lime juice instead.

Just make sure that it is the real thing and only key lime juice with no sugar or other ingredients added. Real key lime juice is just the juice from key limes and nothing else.

You may also use regular lime juice if you can’t find key limes.

How Long Does Homemade Lime Ice Cream Last?

If stored in an airtight container, it will last about 1 to 2 months.

Because this recipe is preservative-free, the homemade ice cream is more prone to developing freezer burn if stored long term.

Pressing a piece of plastic wrap over the surface of the ice cream before putting the lid on the container will help preserve freshness and prevent ice crystal formation on the surface of the ice cream.

5 Star Reviews for Key Lime Pie Ice Cream

“I just made this! So heavenly!! It truly is like eating a perfect piece of frozen key lime pie…yum.” -Melissa

“I make this all the time. Everyone who has it loves it immediately. Thanks so much!” -Heather

“This is delicious and so easy.  I’ll be making this regularly. Love it!” -Laurel

“This was delicious! I didn’t add the graham cracker crumbs to the mixture but just sprinkled them on top when eating it.” -Rhonda

Try this Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Recipe!

Next time you’re looking for a simple recipe to make your own ice cream, give this Key Lime Ice Cream a try!

Did you think it was the perfect dessert for a hot summer day? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this homemade ice cream.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of this fresh Key Lime Pie Ice Cream!

More Homemade Ice Cream Recipes:

Want more recipes for delicious homemade ice cream? Here are a few of my favorites!

You’ll never believe that this decadent Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream is non-dairy! Toasted coconut and dark chocolate chunks are mixed in to a completely dairy-free coconut ice cream base.

In this no-churn Brownie Chunk Ice Cream recipe, creamy vanilla no churn ice cream is layered with chewy brownie chunks and swirled with sweet and salty vanilla bourbon caramel sauce.

Try your hand at making homemade ice cream with this recipe for Pistachio Ice Cream. Bonus: it’s dairy-free!

A delicious, no-churn, low-fuss recipe for Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream. No ice cream maker required!

This easy Lemon Ice Cream recipe is sweetened with agave nectar and is ultra creamy thanks to a combination of milk, cream, and half and half.

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.

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What is your favorite ice cream flavor?