Email to Ron Secor      

nlb's Famous Key Lime Pie

My friend nlb sent me this recipe, and made me promise never to divulge it to another living human being. She subsequently relented and posted it on the Gail's Recipe Swap portion of epicurious.com, and a LOT of people are very grateful that she did: it's an incredible recipe.


Crust:

1-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled

With fork, mix sugar into crumbs. Add melted butter and combine until well mixed. Press onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie tin.
Bake the shell in the middle of a 375º F. oven for 7 minutes.
Cool on a rack and chill.

Filling:

1 (14-oz.) can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
3 large egg yolks
1 generous tsp. grated Key lime rind
4 oz. plus 1 tsp. fresh Key lime juice

In the bowl of an electric mixer add milk, egg yolks and grated Key lime rind. Mix on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add Key lime juice until thoroughly mixed and beat on high speed for one minute. Pour into baked 9-inch graham cracker crust.
Bake at 350º F. for 15 minutes. Cool on rack and chill thoroughly.

Topping:

1-1/4 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup or more of confectioners' sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Chill metal bowl and wire whisk. Beat cream and gradually add confectioners' sugar until firm, then add vanilla. Put into a pastry bag and pipe onto pie.