Key Lime Pie

I was talking to a couple people at our Harvest Festival these past few days, and came to realize something. There is no place for good coffee or pastries in my town. And by town, I actually mean two towns (about 8 or so miles apart) where our clinics are located. From what I learned, there has been a cafe in the past, but it has long been boarded up and closed. Interesting... Light bulb clicks on in my head*

I mean I can't right now for some obvious *cough house cough* reasons, but it's good to know that maybe in the distant future I could really be onto something here. Hmmm if I save a couple pennies a day I can make it happen. I'd have fresh bread, some sweets, and some awesome coffee. Get a couple of comfy couches, and keep it simple. There's a Starbucks down the road, but it's inside of a Target. Not exactly welcoming with the cash register beeping and kids eating Cheetos in the background, know what I mean?

First thing I have to do is learn how to be a good bread baker. Giz, supreme overseer of BloggerAid View and Review, sent me a copy of Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day, so I'll have to give my hand at that real soon, but I'll save that for another post :)

Anyways, onto today. It was a friends birthday last week, and like any good friend (you've been there), I asked what she would like. And the response I received was a very non-September answer, but delicious nonetheless...

Key Lime Pie.

I've never done one of those! What is it? Is it kinda like the famous Lemon Meringue pie? Is it super limey? I had to know these questions... but more importantly, it was a good excuse to try something I wouldn't of done on my own brainstorming power :)

So, like anything else that I'm completely clueless about, I ask somebody. Except in the case of driving directions. So I searched my lists of blogs I follow, and came across this awesome recipe. It is from Cassie, Southern Talented Bakeaholic Extraordinaire, who is a fantastic creator and comedian of How to Eat a Cupcake. I mean the title has the word "Awesome" in it. Now I don't know much, but I know fate when I see it... and this is a recipe asking for me, ladies and gents.

Here it is, with a few small changes by me... because this is how we do it sometimes :)


Key Lime Pie
From How to Eat a Cupcake

1/2 cup lime juice - It's about 3 good size limes, squeezed
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature - I used American cream cheese instead

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

Zest of 1 whole lime

5 egg yolks

whipped cream, for garnish (Beat 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 Tbsp confectioners sugar, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until desired thickness; Do not overbeat or it will turn into butter!)


Crust

1 3/4 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup sweetened coconut flakes

1/3 cup sugar (I'll reduce this to 1/4 cup next time)

1/3 cup pecans

7-8 TBSP melted butter (I only used 5 Tbsp, I think next time I'll reduce it to 4)

In a food processor, blend together graham cracker crumbs, coconut, sugar and pecans. You want to make sure that none of the coconut is visible. Add about 7 TBSP melted butter. Pulse a few times. If it seems like it needs more butter add the remaining TBSP (Mixture should still be crumbly).

Pour contents into a pie pan and press to form a shell. Bake crust for 10 minutes at 400F (I only baked mine for 8 minutes, I'll reduce it to about 6 minutes next time). If you are using mini pie pans, prebaking is not necessary. (After baking my pie crust I let it cool for about 10 minutes before making the filling.)


Whisk sweetened condensed milk with the egg yolks. Whisk in mascarpone cheese. Stir in whipping cream and lime juice. Stir in lime zest. Pour into prepared graham cracker crust and bake at 325° for 15 to 20 minutes. (Filling will still be slightly wobbly; It will firm as it cools.)


So besides using lime juice of the not-key variety, and cream cheese in place of marscapone, I pretty much stuck to the recipe. It was fantastic. Very, very fantastic. It has this sweet tartness going on, and is still very light, which is perfect for dessert after a heavy meal. Like I could actually get up and move afterwards. Would I go workout? No... but at least a nice walk is possible.

Thanks everyone for all the warm house wishes and insight again. Moving is going well, and I should have some appliances moved in real soon. The power is on at least, which is a start :) Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and Happy October :)

Maybe I'll paint the kitchen key lime....

Comments

LizNoVeggieGirl said…
Yeah, I still need to learn more about bread-baking too.

LOVE your key lime pie variation!
Selba said…
I would love to try a slice of your key lime pie, sounds so delicious!
Snooky doodle said…
ohh looks delicious! wow that would be nice opening your own cafe :)
Ivy said…
The lime pie looks perfect with a cup of coffee. Maybe you can make your own pastries at the coffee shop.
Unknown said…
i love baking bread, i just eat it at insane rates so i try to keep it to a minimum :) love all the unique additions to this tart!

ps- i like the way you think re: that boarded-up shop :)
theUngourmet said…
I've always wanted to have my own business. It sounds like your on to something!

Your pie looks fabulous!
Steph said…
haha.. sometimes I eat so much, it's impossible to even get off the chair. I'm glad this is a nice, light finish to a meal.

I hope everything is going well with the new house!
Anonymous said…
I've been wanting to make some key lime bars but I am trying to lay low off the sweets for a few weeks so I gotta wait. But this just made me remember how much I want to make them!! That pie looks so good. I love lime infused desserts.
Clumbsy Cookie said…
If you need help to open that coffee shop I'm in!!! We can eat key lime pie while we discuss details. What do ya say???
one of my dreams to open a really good bakery/diner: serving comfort foods & baked goods.
Have you seen those key lime cookies floating around? They look just as good as your pie man.
Christine said…
Now isn't that just a coinkydink! You probably already have a following, and no one really want to go to any SBUX for the pastries. If you could make that happen, you'd be golden.

Key lime pie is awesome.
Reading this that makes me think the same, we don't have a good pastrie shop in town. That's why I make all my desserts and my friends rave about them. This pie looks delish.
Kerstin said…
I would totally visit your coffee shop if I could have a slice of this pie - it looks fantastic!! :)
Megan said…
I have that book (ABin5)and love it. Course it's been to hot to really get into it but the basic bread is killer!
That pie looks so sinful yet so, so delicious.
Megan said…
I have that book (ABin5)and love it. Course it's been to hot to really get into it but the basic bread is killer!
That pie looks so sinful yet so, so delicious.
hungryandfrozen said…
Good luck with realising your dream! Because there is actually a good place in your town to get cakes and pastries...your place :)

That key lime pie looks gorgeous. Love the sound of the pecans in the crust.
Peabody said…
I need that shirt...my wedding day was PI day, March 14th.

My favorite kind of pie...yours looks great.
Gloria Baker said…
I love lemon or lima pie and this Adam look delicious, is one of my favorites! aahh I love lemon! xxgloria
miss v said…
i've never made or tasted key lime pie either. how odd now that i think about it.

and if you need a barista for your new pastry/coffee shop, give me a shout. i've got experience.

dude, they still make lunchables?
Maria said…
Let me know when you are hiring for your new place:) The pie looks great, you are on your way to something fabulous. Oh and we LOVE ABin5 bread. It is SO easy! Can't wait for you to try it.
Anonymous said…
you don't like spicy foods?! If you omit the crushed peppers & cayenne peppers that takes out the heat : ). Thanks for offering help for my bf. He's got a year and a 1/2 left at Life West. I am currently his guinea pig lol.
Pam said…
I need to work on my bread baking...it scares me to death.

Your key lime pie is making me drool - you have no idea how much I want a slice right now. Mmmm.
Pam said…
P.S. Love the new look.
Astra Libris said…
I love your new layout!! and I am absolutely IN LOVE with your gorgeous key lime pie... Oh my, oh my... Your friend is very lucky indeed! :-)

CONGRATULATIONS on the move!!! YAY for your new kitchen!!

I am SO excited about the possibility of a Dr. Adam's coffee shop and bakery someday... When you open your shop, I'll be there, no matter how far I have to drive! :-)
Emily said…
I'm behind! Eek. Good luck on your move. I can't wait to see pictures of your new place that you're going to post. :)

Also, I love the design of your blog. Very clean.

Finally, I think YOU starting a bakery is an excellent idea. I'll come work for you. This pie looks delicious!
Thistlemoon said…
Nice new blog layout! So fresh and new!

Key lime pie is my favorite! It is so good and well...limey and creamy of course! :)

I love the idea swimming in your head about a cafe. Doctor by day, barista by night! I like it! :)
Key lime pie reminds me of holidays in Florida and white sand beaches...a much needed armchair vacation.
Chibog in Chief said…
I must admit I'm not so familiar with key lime pie (hello where on earth to I live) heheh seriously but recently there's been more and more French people loving this dessert and I finally tasted one in a party I've been... but your version looks better i'm sure :-)

ps, im glad to be back in blogging!!
Jelli said…
I've also been meaning to try this key lime pie recipe. Did you know that Cassie got it from Peabody..as in CulinaryConcoctionsbyPeabody's blog? It's worth a mention.
Velva said…
I think you might be on to something with a great cafe in your town. Love the key lime pie! Great birthday request. Great color to pain the kitchen too.
So how would one go about adding the pictured t-shirt to one's wardrobe? Very nice! :)

And I'm honored that you re-posted my recipe... well someone else's recipe that I tweeked and was then tweeked by you. Is that how you spelled 'tweeked' anyway?

Alos, ABin5 is a freakin fantastic book. My family loves the basic recipe for the boule! I make it all the time. Well, actually today I'm having an affair with the no-knead bread recipe in the America's Test Kitchen baking book. Shh... what ABin5 doesn't know won't hurt it! ;)
Dewi said…
Oh my gosh Adam, I am bookmarking this key lime pie. It's my son favorite. Drooling here!
♥peachkins♥ said…
I've never tasted any key lime pie in my life. I would love a slice of this..
Donna-FFW said…
Key lime pie is my hubbys favorite. Yours looks delicious.
Jennie said…
OK so now I'm craving Key Lime Pie!
Love the thought of coconut flakes in the crust! Looks and sounds delish!