Authentic Florida Key Lime Pie

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My family begs me to make key lime pie. Since I have such a serious sweet tooth, it doesn't require too much begging.  

I like to make the pie with fresh key limes, but realize they are increasingly harder to find. So, this year, I planted a key lime tree and I anxiously watch it grow daily. In the meantime, I buy key limes from the farmer's market, or in the absence of key limes, I use local ones.  I also use fresh limes in place of the bottled key lime juice.

This recipe is one of my favorites, courtesy of Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant.  Enjoy!

Video

Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/3 of a 1-pound box of graham crackers
• 5 Tablespoons of melted unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup of sugar 

Filling

• 3 egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons of lime zest - be sure to zest before you squeeze the juice!
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2/3 cup of freshly squeezed lime juice, or fresh limes

Meringue Topping:

• 3 egg whites
• ¼ teaspoon, cream of tartar
• ¼ cup of sugar

Directions

Preheat the over to 350 degrees F.

Break up the graham crackers; place in a food processor and process the crumbs.  If you don’t have a food processor, place the crackers in a large plastic bag; seal and crush the crackers with a rolling pin.  Add the melted butter and sugar and pulse or stir until combined.  Press the mixture into the bottom and side of a pie pan, forming a neat border around the edge.  Bake the crust until set and golden, 8 minutes.  Set aside on a wire rack; leave the oven on.

For the filling:

Meanwhile, in an electric mixer with the wire whisk attachment, beat the egg yolks and lime zest at high speed until very fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Gradually add the condensed milk and continue to beat until thick, 3 or 4 minutes longer.  Lower the mixer speed and slowly add the lime juice, mixing just until combined, no longer.  Pour the mixture into the crust.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until the filling has just set. Cool on a wire rack, then refrigerate.  Freeze for 15-20 minutes before serving.

For the topping:

With a mixer, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the sugar until stiff.  Spread over filling; seal to edge of crust.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until meringue is golden brown.