Recipe 12: C-Dawg’s Famous Key Lime Pie

🥧 C-Dawg’s Famous Key Lime Pie

Serves: 8–10 slices

Total Time: ~3 hours 45 minutes (includes chill time)

This pie is summer in a slice — bright, tangy, and perfectly creamy with a crisp graham cracker crust and fresh whipped cream on top. It’s the dessert that makes everyone ask, “Who made this?”

🧂 Ingredients

🍪 Graham Cracker Crust

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 1½–2 sleeves)

• ¼ cup sugar

• 6 tbsp butter, melted

🍈 Key Lime Filling

• 2 (14 oz) cans sweetened condensed milk

• ½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)

• ¾ cup fresh key lime juice (about 24–25 key limes or 6 Persian limes)

• Zest of 2–3 key limes

• 2 egg yolks (optional for richness — omit for egg-free version)

🍦 Whipped Cream Topping

• 1 cup (8 oz) heavy whipping cream, very cold

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 3 tbsp powdered sugar

🍋 Garnish (optional but perfect)

• Extra lime zest

• Graham cracker crumbs for sprinkling

• Key lime slices for the top

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Directions

🔹 1. Make the Crust

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until it looks like wet sand.

3. Press into a 9-inch pie dish, covering the bottom and sides evenly.

4. Bake 6–8 minutes, just until lightly golden.

5. Cool completely before adding the filling (you can chill it in the freezer for 15–20 minutes to speed this up).

🔹 2. Make the Filling

1. In a large bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, and egg yolks (if using).

2. Mix until smooth and slightly thickened.

3. Pour into the cooled crust and smooth the top with a spatula.

🔹 3. Bake

1. Bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, until tiny bubbles appear around the edges — don’t let it brown.

2. Remove and cool on a rack for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours (overnight is even better).

🔹 4. Make the Whipped Cream

1. Beat cold heavy cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar in a chilled bowl until stiff peaks form.

2. Pipe or spread around the edges of the pie.

🔹 5. Garnish & Serve

Sprinkle with lime zest and graham crumbs. Slice and serve chilled — every bite is silky, tart, and dreamy.

🛒 Shopping List

Pantry

• Graham crackers

• Sugar

• Sweetened condensed milk

• Powdered sugar

• Vanilla extract

Dairy

• Butter

• Sour cream (or Greek yogurt)

• Heavy whipping cream

• Eggs (optional)

Produce

• Key limes (or Persian limes for backup)

⭐ C-Dawg’s Tip: Always zest before juicing — and don’t skip the chill time! That firm, creamy texture only happens when the pie is fully set.