Rules and licenses
Florida's state pie and dessert share the table
Florida gives key lime pie and strawberry shortcake separate official places, which says a lot about the Keys, Plant City, and the state's food pride.
Florida did not make key lime pie and strawberry shortcake fight for the same plate.
Key lime pie is the official state pie. Strawberry shortcake with natural Florida dairy topping is the official state dessert. It is a small legal detail, but it is also a tidy way to see two different Florida food stories at once.
Key lime pie points south, toward the Keys, where citrus, seafood shacks, old hotels, and road-trip stops all seem to share space on the same menu. Strawberry shortcake points inland, toward Plant City and the winter strawberry season that fills fields, trucks, stands, kitchens, and festival days.
The fun part is that both can be true without one replacing the other. Florida has island food memories and farm-town food memories. It has tart and sweet. It has places where dessert is part of the trip, and places where dessert is part of the crop calendar.
If you are chasing either one, check the timing. Key lime pie is easy to find year-round in many tourist areas. Fresh strawberry season and festival events follow a more local rhythm.
Where to see it
Key West dessert spots, Plant City strawberry season, and local Florida menus. Check current restaurant hours, festival dates, and farm-season timing before planning around either one.
Official sources
Last checked against these sources: July 2, 2026.