Certainly, here’s a basic recipe for Key Lime Pie:
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
- 14 oz (1 can) sweetened condensed milk
- 3/4 cup key lime juice (freshly squeezed if possible)
- 3 large egg yolks
For the whipped cream topping (optional):
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Crust:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan to form the crust.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until it’s golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool while you prepare the filling.
- Make the Filling:
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and egg yolks until well combined.
- Pour the filling mixture into the cooled pie crust.
- Bake the Pie:
- Place the pie back in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes. The filling should be set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or until fully chilled.
- Prepare the Whipped Cream Topping (optional):
- In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until it starts to thicken.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until soft peaks form.
- Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the chilled pie before serving.
- Serve:
- Slice the Key Lime Pie into portions and serve chilled.
- Garnish (optional):
- You can garnish the pie slices with thin slices of lime, grated lime zest, or even a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs for added texture and flavor.
Enjoy your homemade Key Lime Pie!
Remember that traditional Key Lime Pie is made with key lime juice, which is more tart and aromatic than regular lime juice. However, if you can’t find key limes, you can use regular limes as a substitute.
