Mini Key Lime Pies

By sz8jm9

Sally's Baking Addiction: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2015/06/29/key-lime-pies/

Make ahead tip: Up to 1 day in advance, you can prepare the crust ingredients and the filling ingredients separately. Store each covered tightly in the refrigerator until ready to assemble and bake. Likewise, as noted in set 4, you can bake the key lime pies and store in the refrigerator for 1 day before serving. Key lime pies freeze well, up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

For the best flavor, make sure you use key lime juice. You can juice your own key limes or buy it from the store. It is usually with the regular lime and lemon juice in the juice aisle. I buy Nellie & Joe's brand (pictured in this post). In a pinch, you can use regular lime juice.

Ingredients

• CRUST
• 1 and 1/2 cups (150g) graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full sheet graham crackers)
• 6 Tablespoons (87g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar
• FILLING
• 4 ounces (112g) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 4 large egg yolks
• one 14 ounce can (396g) full-fat sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) key lime juice1
• optional: lime slices and whipped cream for garnish

Details

Adapted from sallysbakingaddiction.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).

1) Line a 12-count muffin pan with liners and a second 12-count muffin pan with only 4 (since this recipe makes only around 16). Set pans aside.

2) Make the crust: Mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar together with a rubber spatula in a medium bowl until combined. The mixture will be thick, coarse, and sandy. Press a heaping Tablespoon of mixture down into each liner, making sure the crust is tight and compact. You might have a little crust leftover. If so, press a little more into each liner—if desired! Pre-bake the crusts for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven.

3) Make the filling: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. On medium-high speed, beat in the egg yolks, scraping down the sides as needed. On high speed, beat in the sweetened condensed milk and lime juice until combined.

4) Pour the filling evenly into each crust. Bake for 15-16 minutes or until the centers of the pies only slightly jiggle (I check this by wiggling the muffin pan—with an oven mitt on-- while it’s still in the oven). Allow the pies to cool at room temperature in the pan set on a wire rack. Once completely cool, place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
Once chilled, serve the key lime pies cold with whipped cream and a lime slice if desired. Store leftover pies in the refrigerator (covered) for up to 1 week. If they last that long!