Key Lime Pie

 My favorite dessert is Cheesecake and I have a recipe on the Blog that's the only Cheesecake I make. Whenever we're dining out and there's Cheesecake on the menu, I always choose it. My second favorite dessert is Key Lime Pie. I've never posted a recipe for it on my Blog because I've never tasted one that I absolutely loved. I have never found a recipe that I felt was worthy of posting. I've even had Key Lime Pie in the Florida Keys.

I recently ordered it at a restaurant and it was the best that I have ever had. The pastry Chef was not working that day so I couldn't talk to her or get the recipe. There are certain things I look for in a good Key Lime Pie. I like a nice tart flavor, I like it to be creamy, I don't like Lime Zest in it and I don't like Green Food Coloring, so I want it to be natural and thicker than thin. The crust is important too. I prefer a Graham Cracker Crust over a Vanilla Wafer or Chocolate Cookie Crust and I don't want it to be dry. I spend a lot of time dissecting things I've eaten at a restaurant when I can't get the recipe and then I create my own. Many Chefs I speak to are willing to share a recipe with me. I dissected the Key Lime Pie, I did a lot of research and here's what I came up with for a Best of the Best Key Lime Pie.

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

A 9" Pie Pan

A Hand held Mixer

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 C Graham Cracker Crumbs

1 1/2 C  Fine Bread Crumbs

6 TBS Butter, melted

1 - 8oz. package of Cream Cheese, room temperature.

1 1/4 C Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/3 C Key Lime Juice, fresh or purchased (it has to be Key Lime)

1/8 tsp Lime Oil

1 C Sour Cream

DIRECTIONS:

In a Mixing Bowl with a Blending Fork:

Graham Cracker Crumbs and Bread Crumbs

Butter

Mix until completely combined.

Press into the bottom and sides of the Pie Pan.

Bake 20 minutes or until Golden Brown.

Remove to a Rack and Cool Completely.

In a Mixing Bowl with a Hand Held Mixer:

Cream Cheese

Beat until Creamy Smooth

Add:

Milk

Beat until incorporated.

Add:

Lime Juice and Lime Oil, fold in by hand.

Add:

Sour Cream

Beat until Creamy Smooth.

Spoon into the Pie Pan and Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Garnish each serving with Whipped Cream.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen