I learned, first hand, what an idiotic statement that was at the age of about 12. Watching my grandmother peel and section a bowl full of tart apples, coating the slices with cinnamon, sugar and abit of flour and then beginning on the hand-rolled crust…..
There is nothing easy about making pie ! The phrase must be referring to the process of eating it. After about 2 hours of preparation and baking, the bubbly sweet pastries were devoured in a matter of minutes.
I remember that afternoon well – it was the first time I really appreciated good cooking and understood it as a simple foundation of family and bonding. I saw the influence my grandmother had, the joy she was able to provide and the satisfaction it brought to her. I remember vowing to learn to “cast a spell” of love and cinnamon the way she did.
Years later, I rock the apple pie. Since childhood, my son asks for “Birthday Pie” instead of a cake. It is an afternoon process, though. So you can imagine my surprise and delight when I came across a recipe that actually IS “easy as pie” ! (Or, easy as eating pie, as we’ve already established the ease of making pie is a misconception….)
Sorry, it’s not apple – no shortcuts there. But how ’bout Key Lime ! Back when I was still gainfully employed, I found myself in an office full of amateur chef’s – we were always bringing in recipes or samples to share. Now that I’m not working, I’ve been going through all of these and putting them on computer. I came across this one with the hand-written notation “crazy easy & good” ….I looked at the recipe and thought “yeh, right.” But I do love lime. And raspberry, and cinnamon….Mmmm, sorry. Anyway, I whipped it up and it really is crazy easy & good !
(Best served cold after refrigerating for a couple hours)
Preheat oven to 350.
Graham cracker crust: (yes, you can buy one, I won’t look…but I promise it’s easy!)
1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs (about 24 crackers – crush in a ziploc bag with a rolling pin. Six year olds are great at this. )
6 tbsp melted butter
2 tbsp sugar
Mix all together, press into pie pan evenly around bottom and sides.
I pre-cook crust for just afew minutes (7 -10) it seems to hold together better.
Filling:
3/4 c. key lime juice (I cheated and used a bottled juice called “Nellie & Joes famous Key West Key Lime”, I think Trader Joes has a good one as well. Yes, there’s a difference between key lime and regular lime).
1/2 c. sour cream
3 c. sweetened condensed milk ( I bought two 14 oz. cans and used all of it, figured why not use that little bit that was left…)
Add alittle grated lime zest if you use real limes.
To make:
I put alittle shredded coconut all over bottom of crust first. (love the two tastes together!)
Using a whisk, combine the lime juice, milk and sour cream for acouple minutes and is another step our six year old did. Pour into crust.
Bake for only about 8 -10 minutes, you’ll see acouple pinpoint bubbles on the surface – DO NOT brown, bake only long enough to help it set.
Then let pie sit in refrigerator for the afternoon. That’s it ! (I put toasted coconut on top and served it with whipped cream).
The prep time was less than 15 minutes, ok, maybe 20. Enjoy !
sandylikeabeach said:
While your key lime pie sounds yummy especially with the coconut, as a native Floridian who grew up eating “real” key lime pie, I can tell you that real key lime pie is made with a traditional flaky pie crust, key lime juice and meringue. Sadly, real key lime pie is as difficult to find today as a native Floridian!
My mother and uncles grew up with birthday pies instead of cake. On their birthdays, my grandmother would bake their favorite pies.
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
I hear ya – I usually do the rolled, flaky crust for all pies, but decided to give this a try. And the meringue, a big YES – Lemon or lime pie is soooo good that way !!! like I said, I looked at this recipe & kinda did a ‘yeh right” but we have lots of family around & I needed something quick, I was surprised at what a huge hit it was!
The last great Key lime I had was in New Orleans, of course all the food there is off the charts !
ladyladylike said:
Mmmm I can’t imagine what Floridian Key Lime Pie is like… I can only dream of it, and put it on my list of things I must try 🙂
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
Yes, it must go on your list !
ladyladylike said:
🙂 🙂 🙂 We’ve been contemplating the idea of moving to the Florida Keys vs. St. Thomas or St. John in the USVI… We’re going to have to stop by FL and get some of that Key Lime Pie!!
winsomebella said:
Key lime is a favorite of mine and this looks doable–thanks!
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
Key lime screams “Summer!” doesnt it ? 🙂
susartandfood said:
I love key lime pie – my mom used to make it during the summer. Yum.
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
Do you have one that you make? (post idea, hint, hint ! )
susartandfood said:
Why yes, wink, wink – I do – hah
The Scrumptious Pumpkin said:
Love your idea of adding the shredded coconut to the pie – yum! 🙂
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
Thanks, I stole the idea from a restaurants version I had long ago !
The Byronic Man said:
I do love a good key lime pie. It’s the one I always forget about until it comes up, then I’m all over it.
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
I know, everyone’s all ” I love apple or blueberry”. Key lime is very over-looked; its the wall-flower of pie.
jeandayfriday said:
The key lime recipe sounds great! Sadly, I am an epic failure at making pies, but I will try this recipe soon.
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
I do stress the “easy ” in this recipe….Just remember, for this one its better to under-bake than over bake & let it get nice & cold. People will “Oh ” and “Ah” and you can say you made a pie !
cassiebehle said:
Sounds like this pie would go perfectly alongside the new baby pool we bought for lounging outside when it gets super hot out! I bet it tastes even better with a few margaritas in hand, too! 😉 Small world – my brother INSISTS on birthday pie instead of cake.
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
oh yeh…or just a shot of tequila !
Birthday pie rocks ….
cassiebehle said:
A minimalist. I like it!
barkinginthedark said:
Janet, one of my absolute favorites. my mouth is watering. and “easy as pie” was invented by the same person who thought it was easy to “take candy from a baby. 🙂 continue…
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
Ah ha !!! (I’d rather restle a rhino than extract candy from a small child). Thanks for stopping by again Tony !
ladyladylike said:
hahah that’s brilliant!
ladyladylike said:
I love this post. My favorite part was you sharing about your grandma and the magic she had of bringing everyone together. “It was the first time I really appreciated good cooking and understood it as a simple foundation of family and bonding.” So beautiful, what a lovely memory. Thank you for sharing the back-end story behind it! Love it!
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
Thank you for the compliment and for stopping by, I really appreciate such a warm sentiment! (I wrote about her in another post earlier https://nonstepmom.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/props-to-grandma-j/)
Sally said:
i LOVE love LOVE key lime pie! It is honestly one of my favorite desserts. I love fruity desserts. 🙂 I once had key lime pie with white chocolate swirled all over the top. It was delicious!
PS: i also just wanted to let you know that if you subscribed to my blog @ wordpress.. i switched over and you can now subscribe to my RSS or get my recipes by email at my new site: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com – i am no longer with wordpress
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
Oh – thanks I’ll be making the switch to your new blog !
White chocolate you say? I’m going to have to try that!
Sally said:
yes!! white chocolate + key lime = AMAZING! 🙂 you would love it.
Bethylicious said:
Key Lime pie is my favorite! I’ve only made a homemade apple pie once and it did not go very well lol. It took me nearly all day only for it to be too juicy (i.e – soupy) inside. 😦 One piece (maybe 2) got eaten and it was a wonder I got anyone to willingly consume even that much. I like to bake so I thought “oh I can do this!” Try and try again, I suppose 🙂 Until then, I’ll just cheat and use this super easy one and not tell anyone how easy it is lol.
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
Exactly – no one needs to know. I told the blog world, but my family has no idea it was so easy !
Apple pie is a pain, the onlly reason I do it is its my sons fav…..
philosophermouseofthehedge said:
Yummy! Yummy! Best make more than one at a time….one to eat-and one for the others to eat….seriously.
MJ, Nonstepmom said:
I thought about “accidentally”” dropping it on the counter as an excuse….”Oh darn, cant serve this one !”