Key Lime Pie Recipe

Tonight I made Key Lime Pie from scratch for tomorrow's luncheon at our apartment. I found a good recipe online and decided to give it a shot. I'm sick of making cookies and lemon bars and needed something new. I really like the recipe, but I made a few changes to it, which of course only makes it better. :)

Key Lime Pie Recipe

Crust
- Graham Crackers (the original recipe calls for 16, but I used about 8)
- 3 T sugar (I left this out because I think between the filling and the graham crackers there's plenty of sugar)
- 1/2 c butter (I didn't use this much. I just guesstimated)

Pre-heat over to 350. Crush graham crackers. Mix with butter. Spread in 9" pie pan. Bake for 8 minutes.

Filling
- 4 large eggs; yolk only
- 1 14 oz can sweetned condensed milk*
- 1/2 c key lime juice (It calls for freshly squeezed key lime juice. I live in Rexburg, we don't have that. I bought Key West Lime Juice at Broulims and it worked just fine.)
- 2 t grated lime peel, green portion only (Didn't use this due to the fact I didn't have any key limes.)

Use an electric mixer and beat the egg yolks until they are thick and turn to a light yellow, don't over mix. Turn the mixer off and add the sweetened condensed milk. Turn speed to low and mix in half of the lime juice. Once the juice is incorporated add the other half of the juice, continue to mix until blended (just a few seconds). Pour the mixture into the pie shell. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

Meringue
- Egg whites from egg yolks used in pie filling
- Sugar

Beat the egg whites until frothy. Add sugar one tablespoon at a time until it begins to stiffen, then add according to taste. Spread over pie. Served chilled.

*Did you know you can make sweetened condensed milk from scratch? Here's the recipe. I use splenda because of Miriam's allergy to sugar. It's a great way to make recipes diabetic friendly. :)

- 3/4 c sugar
- 1/2 c water
- 1 c 2 T powdered milk

Combine all ingredients. Heat to boiling. Cook until thick. this will take 15-20 minutes. Equals 1 can of regular sweetened condensed milk.