Easy Key Lime Pie

By dhoffmanlatter

Ingredients

• For the filling:
• 1/3 c. butter
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 1/4 c. finely crushed graham cracker
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 lime
• 1/4 cup key lime juice
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• green food coloring (optional)
• Whipped topping to garnish

Preparation

Step 1

Melt butter, add sugar and then add crushed crackers.
Spread evenly into 9" pie plate and press onto bottom and sides to form an even crust.
Chill for an hour until firm OR bake at 375-degrees for 5 min and allow to cool before filling.
For the filling:
Pre heat oven to 350-degrees. With electric mixer beat the egg yolks until they are thick and turn to a light yellow (it takes a while, just keep beating). Slowly add sweetened condensed milk while mixing on a low speed. Zest 1 lime, then juice it. Pour the fresh lime juice into a 1/2 cup measuring cup then fill the cup with the Key Lime juice to make a full 1/2 cup of juice. (I like the Nellie & Joe's Famous Key West Lime Juice.) Gradually add the lime juice and zest and continue to mix on a low speed just until blended. Then I like to add a little green food coloring to give it a more appetizing color.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pie shell and bake 15 minutes. Remove and let cool. Serve with a garnish of whipped topping and a small slice of lime if desired.