Key Lime Pie

I don't remember how long ago--maybe two months? We'll say that's right. About two months ago Jeff's dad came into visit. And I love Jeff's dad. He is the funniest most jovial awesome man ever, and I still hope to keep him even though Jeff and I are no longer together (still close, though, that boy and I. <3)

So Mister G's favourite is key lime pie, so since he was surprising us with a quick visit into town I decided to make him homemade key lime pie! It was rough to do it under such short notice, but it's really very easy to make key lime pie. And luckily they even had some key limes here (flown in from Florida? Sigh, talk about not natural local cooking. Opposite ends of the country...) so that worked out nicely. It took forever to squeeze the little suckers for juice, but Jeff helped me and we made it through.


Basically key lime pie consists of lime juice and sweetened condensed milk. That's about it. There's some other stuff too, you can find that under the ingredients and such. But that's the flavour of key lime pie. Mine was pretty tart and limey-- with just a bit of sweetness, which I liked about it. The whipped cream on top lended to more of the sweetness, which I think was nice-- the light sweet fluffiness verses the cold thick custardy tartness. Yes. Good stuff. Jeff's dad declared it the best key lime he ever had.

The pie crust was made out of graham crackers (I wanted to use my lemon ginger cookies that I had leftover but I had left them at my house in my fridge and I was at Jeff's at the time). It was simple. Graham crackers, sugar, and butter = done. I should really make key lime pie more often since it's so easy.... I made it for my dad once years ago and it didn't turn out as well, but I was really just beginning back then and I think I made it with ice cream (or was that pumpkin pie? I can hardly remember anymore).


Here you can see all my little limes.
And I really don't have more to say. These posts are so old and I made these so long ago that I can't really remember more about them other than I made them and they were delicious and fun. Everything has a sort of warm fuzzy glow like it does in the movies, which is sort of bittersweet (like this pie? Maybe key lime is the perfect heartbreak pie).

Follow the photos for (what I remember of) the recipe....

Pie Crust

11 or so graham crackers
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
5 tablespoons butter, melted

Crush the graham crakcers in a ziplock bag with a rolling pin (that's what I do). Or use a food processor, if you have one of those fancy things. Mix all the ingredients together and press them into a 10" pie pan. Bake in a 325 Degree Oven for about 15 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.

Key Lime Pie

1 Graham or Cookie Pie Crust
1/2 cup fresh key lime juice (12-15 key limes. I think I may have done more like 15-18)
4 teaspoons grated lime zest
3 egg yolks
1 egg
1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup cream
sugar to taste
vanilla extract

Beat together the eggs, lime zest, and sugar. Stir in the can of condensed milk and lime juice and beat until thick and creamy. Pour into the baked pie shell and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool, then wrap lightly with plastic wrap, just touching the surface so a skin won't form. Chill for at least 3 hours, preferrably overnight.
When ready to serve, prepare the whipped cream by whisking together the cream and the sugar (to taste). I prefer mine sweet and fluffy, which goes well with this pie.

Enjoy!