Friday, August 4, 2017

Key Lime Pie and August's Give-away Apron

Key Lime Pie is an American dessert made from, yes of course, Key Limes that are naturalized throughout the Florida Keys.  Key Limes are more tart and aromatic than the common "Persian limes" found year-round in grocery stores.  It's juice is a pale yellow and it's the acidic juice mixed with sweetened condensed milk that causes the filling to thicken on its own.  Historically, the pie was not baked, but because consuming raw eggs can be dangerous, especially to small children, the pies are baked for a short period; this recipe I made is baked for 10 minutes.

Although typically only the egg yolks are used in Key Lime Pies and the whites are beaten to a meringue to top it, I prefer whipped cream on top of mine to counterbalance the tartness, so I used the whole egg in this recipe.

I love citrus pies and my mom made a wonderful Lemon Meringue.  Both my girls and now our granddaughter are crazy for Key Lime Pie so this is a favorite around our house.  What's better at the end of a hot day?

KEY LIME PIE

Graham Cracker Crust:
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
4 T unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 360F-degrees. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.  Using a measuring cup, press the mixture into a bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan.  (I had an 8-inch and the filling almost overflows...be sure you use a 9-inch)
Bake for 10 minutes.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Filling:
3 (14oz) cans Sweetened Condensed Milk (approx 3 1/2 cups)
2 large eggs
1 cup Key Lime juice (I used fresh, but you can use bottled) I used 9 limes for 1 cup!
Zest of 1 lime

In a bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs.  Add the lime juice slowly, whisked to combine.  Finally stir in the zest.  Pour into the prepared crust.


 Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.  Let cool completely, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

Whipped Cream:
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Use a hand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment or as I do, a copper bowl and whisk to beat the ingredients until stiff peaks form.  
 Slice the pie and add a dollop of whipped cream over the pie.  Nothing's better on a hot, humid evening.  Enjoy!



Now, as promised...here is August's Apron.  The blues made me feel cooler; after all, blue is a cool color, and the hydrangeas are always a favorite.  Just leave a comment this month and you could win this beautiful apron.  Good Luck!

32 comments:

  1. So yum! I haven't had a lime pie in ages...wish I could taste a slice of yours. Beautiful apron, Susan.

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    1. If you can't get Key Limes, you can use the Persian ones.

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  2. Vanilla extract has become very dear in recent years...since the last time I shopped for any. I was very glad for the vanilla beans that a friend gave me so that I could make another large batch of my own...course vodka has gone up, too. All that info because I always add more vanilla to really tart things. Now I would hate to give up the meringue topping so am wondering what the addition of whipped cream would do right over the top of the rest or a dollop at the last minute. I like the idea of using the whole egg in the filling, though, to help with the extra tartness.

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    1. I like whipped cream on Key Lime, but it's definitely meringue on Lemon! It's been some rough years for vanilla beans with the storms that have hit the Pacific Islands. This pie did the trick with our hot and humid days; my hubby even said, "this could win a contest!"

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  3. I don't think I've ever had a Key Lime pie, but do enjoy a lemon, or orange meringue occasionally. I have to say, though, unless it is a thoroughly cooked and chewy meringue, I don't like meringue a bit. I think it's called Italian meringue, made with boiled sugar syrup, will have to go and Google! ~~~Deb xo

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    1. It's a wonderfully satisfying and if you ever see it on the menu, try it! The trick with meringue is topping it on your warm filling so it doesn't become weepy.

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  4. Love key lime pie. I am in Nebraska so wonder if I can get the juice here. I am going to look. This sounds yummy!

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    1. You can find it in the baking section if you can't find Key Limes in the produce section. It's so good and I got high praises from my hubby!

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  5. This is making me SO hungry right now..the perfect summer dessert! Beatiful apron to welcome September too!

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  6. Your blog makes me so hungry! I haven't had a good key lime pie in ages!!

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    1. This one is just about perfect and so easy to make!

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  7. It has been 105 here in Vancouver Washington, yikes, hot days for sure..Your Apron looks like it is sweet and lovely, cooling me down just to read your blog, happy summer, the pie recipe makes my mouth water and I am going to get some key limes to make it as soon as the temperatures reach into the 80's! Happy Summer and enjoy your family and eat lots of Key Lime Pie too, sincerely Mary Sampson at gingercat48@outlook.com a loyal reader and I adore your recipes and aprons! Ciao mi bellaX()!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Thank you Mary...maybe you'll win this apron!

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  8. Now isn't that perfectly delicious. I think I want it! Your recipe sounds really lovely. I made a lemon meringue pie recently. In the same weekend, I made a peach/cherry pie and a chocolate pie - I am in trouble - big - trouble!

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    1. I know--so much good fruit to choose from!

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  9. Your recipe is a winner, but I wonder could you use oranges instead?

    The apron is lovely. I miss hydrangeas. They won't survive the -40C winters here!

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  10. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your recipes and projects with us all. I so enjoy reading what you post and I really love this Key Lime Pie recipe. Pretty simple and oh so good. My family thinks I'm awesome for making it. Thank you, it's always nice to feel awesome ... at least til the last bite or stitch😉

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    1. My hubby thought I was awesome too...it is a good feeling!

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  11. Key Lime Pie is a new recipe for me. Your fabric choice for the aprons are always lovely.

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    1. Thank you Mary. You should try the pie...it really is easy to make.

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  12. That sounds grand. I will have to give it a try.

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  13. Hello Susan, I just now found your wonderful blog! Your pie looks delicious! The fabric for your apron is so pretty! Will stop by here again!, Kathleen

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  14. Thank you Kathleen...I'm heading to your blog now!

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  15. Key lime pie is my husband's favorite and it's been awhile since I've made one for him. Your post had inspired me to get busy in the kitchen and make one to enjoy while summer is still here! Think I'll make it tomorrow for our 32nd wedding anniversary! The apron is so pretty with the mix of blue fabrics. I enjoy reading your blog.

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  16. Key lime pie is a favorite of mine, Susan, and especially in the summer months. I do love a homemade graham cracker crust, too.
    Stay cool!

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  17. I have just recently tried key lime pie. So yummy!

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  18. I love Key Lime pie and your aprons. Oh the memories I have of my Grandmothers aprons. If you ever needed a safety pin her apron was the first place to look.

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  19. believe it or not I've never tasted key lime pie. I should put that on a list of things to do.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  20. Key Lime Pie is my hubby's favourite... I really should make him one again sometime! :) Yours looks delish.

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