Key Lime Pie

Cook's Illustrated, March/April 1997
Published: Monday, June 18, 2001 12:00 a.m. MDT

Desserts > Pies > Key Lime Pie

Ingredients

Crust:
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted


Directions

Filling:

4 teaspoons grated lime zest

1/2 cup strained juice from 3 or 4 limes

4 large egg yolks

14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

Topping:

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup confectioner's sugar

Thin lime slices for garnish

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare crust by combining graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press mixture evenly over bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake until lightly browned and fragrant, 10-15 minutes.

Whisk zest and yolks in medium bowl about 2 minutes. Beat in milk, then juice; set aside at room temperature to thicken. Pour filling into prepared crust and bake in center of oven until filling is set but still wiggly when jiggled,15 to 17 minutes. Cover with lightly oiled plastic wrap laid directly on filling, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to 1 day. Before serving, whip cream with confectioner's sugar until it holds firm peaks. Swirl with rubber spatula over the surface of the pie. Garnish with lime slices before serving.