Key Lime Pi Tart

When asked what kinds of pie I like, I reply with a quote from my grandfather.  "I only like two kinds of pie, hot pie and cold pie."  Truer words have never been spoken.

However, key lime pie instantly became my favorite pie on a trip the Florida Keys during my early teens.  When I got home I decided I had to learn how to make it on my own.  Being the mid-90's I couldn't jump on Google and do a quick recipe search, but I could still query the masses geek style.  I sent my recipe request to rec.food.cooking on usenet and got back a great recipe and some tips from a fellow lover of the pie.*  That recipe became my first "signature" recipe.  I've made some tweaks over the years and now I'd like to share it with all of you.

Since this was the first recipe I learned to make on my own without parental guidance I've tried to make this instructable cover every step in detail.  I've also included some tips at the end.  I'm hoping these extra details might inspire another young food lover to try his hand at cooking.

*Thank you, Google for archiving all of usenet.  Can't believe I actually found my original post from 1996.

Step 1 Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you'll need for each component if you're going to make it all from scratch.  You can get some of these items pre-made as well.  See the tips section for some comments.

Crust:
8 Graham Crackers
4 Tbsp Butter

Pie Filling:
1 14oz Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
5 Egg Yolks
5 oz (1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp) Key Lime Juice

Whipped Cream:
1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Tbsp Sugar

Comments

[steve013]

Wow that looks delishious! What high end bakery sells those?!

[dstapleton1]

Looks yummy! Can't wait to give it a try!

[sconstantine]

EXCELLENT instructable and great photos. Looking forward to trying on my own, thanks for posting!

[bigmama1079]

Great recipe for throwing together after lunch and treating yourself after dinner. For people who want even more tartness, add in a couple teaspoons of lime zest. For a wonderful summertime treat, freeze the cut pie wedges and eat them out of hand, no fork required. And of course, thank you for the in-depth and very well written 'ible.

PS: Fight the urge to add green food coloring to the filling or else you'll hear the food police knocking at your door

[ShadowedOne]

Awesome tips, Mama! Thanks much.

You're absolutely right about the green food coloring. And I'd add that meringue should never touch a key lime pie either.

-R

[scoochmaroo]

Gorgeous!

[ShadowedOne]

Thanks! I love the way it turned out. :)