This creamy and zesty pie, the official state pie of Florida, is simple, satisfying, and the perfect remedy for winter blues. It can be baked or unbaked, have a graham cracker or pastry crust, and topped with meringue or whipped cream but it consistently contains key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks.

STEP ONE – Preparations

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Get out a small glass measuring cup, a food processor, and a small bowl.
3. Get out a 9-inch glass pie pan and a stand mixer.
4. Set up a cooling rack.

STEP TWO – Make the Crust

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 ¼ cups (18 squares) plain graham crackers
¼ cup white sugar
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions:

1. In the small glass measuring cup, microwave the butter for 45 seconds.
2. In the food processor, pulse the graham crackers to crumbs.
3. In the small bowl, combine the melted butter, graham crackers, sugar, and salt.
4. Use your fingers to press the crust into the pie pan and evenly distribute across the bottom and up the sides.
5. Bake for 10 minutes until golden.
6. Cool the crust on the cooling rack.

STEP THREE – Make the Filling

Ingredients:

3 egg yolks
1 tablespoon fresh lime zest
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
⅔ cup fresh lime juice

Instructions:

1. In the stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the yolks and lime zest on high speed for 5 minutes until smooth and creamy.
2. Slowly add the condensed milk and beat on high for another 5 minutes.
3. Reduce the speed to slow and add the lime juice until just incorporated.

STEP FOUR – Bake the Pie

1. Pour the filling into the crust.
2. Bake for 10 minutes until set.
3. Cool the pie on the cooling rack for 10-15 minutes.
4. Once cooled, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
5. Transfer to the freezer 15 minutes before serving.

STEP FIVE – Make the Whipped Cream

Ingredients:

1 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. In the stand mixer, whip the cream on high speed for 1 minute until stiff peaks form.
2. Add the powdered sugar and whip until combined.
3. Top the pie with a dollop of whipped cream.

Recommended Serving Size: 1 slice (⅛ of pie) with 2 tablespoons whipped cream

Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat