Key lime pie is a classic Florida Keys treat that is a perfect ending to a spicy meal. Although it is traditionally served plain, homemade key lime pie can also be made with a meringue topping, using the egg whites left over from the pie filling.
Recipe for 9-Inch Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Graham Cracker Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/3 cup sugar
- Dash of cinnamon
Directions for crust:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place graham crackers in sealable freezer bag and crush using rolling pin until crackers are a fine powder.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon into graham crackers.
- Melt butter and mix into cinnamon and graham cracker mixture.
- Evenly press graham cracker and butter mixture into 9-inch pie pan.
- Bake crust for 6 minutes.
Graham cracker crust can be prepared several days ahead of time and should be stored tightly covered in refrigerator.
Recipe for Florida Keys Key Lime Pie
Pie Filling Ingredients:
- 28 ounces canned sweetened condensed milk
- 6 eggs, separated
- ½ cup fresh Key lime juice (approximately 7-10 limes)
- 1 teaspoon of zest from Key limes
Directions for preparing pie:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Juice Keys limes
- Zest skin of Key limes
- Separate eggs, setting aside whites
- Combine egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk in large bowl, blending with electric mixer.
- Once the egg and milk mixture is smooth, add Lime zest and juice and continue blend using electric mixer.
- Pour Key lime pie filling into cooled graham cracker crust.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until firm. Do not brown pie.
- Let pie cool completely before refrigerating.
Optional Meringue Topping Recipe
Meringue Ingredients:
- 6 egg whites
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions for Key lime pie with meringue:
- Beat egg whites with electric mixer, on high speed.
- Mix until egg whites form soft peaks.
- Add cream of tartar and vanilla extract to egg whites and continue to beat.
- Gradually add sugar to egg mixture and beat until meringue forms stiff peaks.
- After Key lime pie has baked for five minutes, remove from oven and add meringue mixture to top.
- Continue to bake for ten minutes or until meringue is lightly browned.
Pie Storing Instructions
Key lime pie must be refrigerated and should be served well-chilled. It may also be stored tightly wrapped in the freezer for up to three months.
Serving and Garnish Suggestions
Florida Keys Key lime pie is delicious when topped with whipped cream or drizzled with chocolate, strawberry, raspberry, or blackberry sauce. It may also be served frozen.
Garnish the pie using lime zest, thin slivers of Key lime, or fresh fruit.
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