Key lime pie: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:31, 18 February 2025

Key Lime Pie

A slice of key lime pie garnished with lime zest.

Key lime pie is a classic American dessert that originated in the Florida Keys. It is known for its tart, creamy filling made from Key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks, all nestled in a graham cracker crust. The pie is often topped with whipped cream or a meringue topping.

History

The origins of key lime pie are somewhat unclear, but it is widely believed to have been created in the late 19th century in the Florida Keys. The pie's creation is attributed to the availability of Key limes, which were abundant in the region before the 1926 hurricane that destroyed many of the lime groves. The use of sweetened condensed milk was a practical choice, as fresh milk and refrigeration were not readily available in the Keys at the time.

Ingredients

The traditional ingredients for key lime pie include:

Key lime juice: The juice of Key limes is more aromatic and tart compared to regular Persian limes. It is a crucial component that gives the pie its distinctive flavor.
Sweetened condensed milk: This thick, sweet milk is used to create the creamy texture of the filling.
Egg yolks: These are used to thicken the filling and add richness.
Graham cracker crust: Made from crushed graham crackers, sugar, and butter, this crust provides a sweet and crunchy base for the pie.

Preparation

File:Key lime pie preparation.jpg

Preparing the key lime pie filling.

To prepare key lime pie, the graham cracker crust is first baked and allowed to cool. The filling is made by whisking together the Key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks until smooth. This mixture is poured into the crust and baked until set. Once cooled, the pie is often chilled before serving.

Variations

While the classic key lime pie is made with a graham cracker crust, some variations use a pastry crust. Additionally, some recipes call for a meringue topping made from the leftover egg whites, while others prefer a dollop of whipped cream.

Serving

Key lime pie is typically served chilled, often garnished with lime slices or zest. It is a popular dessert choice in the summer months due to its refreshing taste.

Related Pages

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Key lime pie''' is a type of [[dessert]] that originated in the [[United States]], specifically in the [[Florida Keys]]. It is named after the small [[Key lime]]s that are naturally found throughout the Florida Keys.
+== Key Lime Pie ==
+[[File:Key lime pie.jpg|thumb|right|A slice of key lime pie garnished with lime zest.]]
+'''Key lime pie''' is a classic American dessert that originated in the [[Florida Keys]]. It is known for its tart, creamy filling made from [[Key lime]] juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks, all nestled in a [[graham cracker crust]]. The pie is often topped with whipped cream or a meringue topping.
 == History ==
-The exact origins of the Key lime pie are unclear, but it is believed to have been created in the late 19th century. The first recorded recipes for Key lime pie were written in the early 20th century, suggesting that the dessert has been a part of American cuisine for at least a century.
+The origins of key lime pie are somewhat unclear, but it is widely believed to have been created in the late 19th century in the Florida Keys. The pie's creation is attributed to the availability of [[Key limes]], which were abundant in the region before the 1926 hurricane that destroyed many of the lime groves. The use of sweetened condensed milk was a practical choice, as fresh milk and refrigeration were not readily available in the Keys at the time.
 == Ingredients ==
-The primary ingredients in a Key lime pie are [[Key lime juice]], [[egg yolks]], and [[sweetened condensed milk]]. The pie is typically served in a [[pie crust]], which is often made from [[graham crackers]]. Some variations of the recipe may include additional ingredients, such as [[whipped cream]] or [[meringue]].
+The traditional ingredients for key lime pie include:
+* '''Key lime juice''': The juice of Key limes is more aromatic and tart compared to regular [[Persian lime]]s. It is a crucial component that gives the pie its distinctive flavor.
+* '''Sweetened condensed milk''': This thick, sweet milk is used to create the creamy texture of the filling.
+* '''Egg yolks''': These are used to thicken the filling and add richness.
+* '''Graham cracker crust''': Made from crushed graham crackers, sugar, and butter, this crust provides a sweet and crunchy base for the pie.
 == Preparation ==
-To prepare a Key lime pie, the egg yolks are first beaten and then combined with the sweetened condensed milk. Key lime juice is then added to the mixture. The resulting filling is poured into the pie crust and baked until set. The pie is then cooled and refrigerated before serving.
-== Cultural significance ==
+[[File:Key lime pie preparation.jpg|thumb|left|Preparing the key lime pie filling.]]
-Key lime pie is closely associated with the culture and cuisine of the Florida Keys. It was designated as the official pie of the state of Florida in 2006. The pie is also a popular dessert in other parts of the United States, particularly in the South.
+To prepare key lime pie, the graham cracker crust is first baked and allowed to cool. The filling is made by whisking together the Key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks until smooth. This mixture is poured into the crust and baked until set. Once cooled, the pie is often chilled before serving.
 == Variations ==
-There are many variations of Key lime pie. Some recipes call for a meringue topping, while others use whipped cream. Some versions of the pie are served frozen, similar to an [[ice cream pie]]. There are also variations in the type of crust used, with some recipes calling for a traditional pastry crust instead of the more common graham cracker crust.
-== See also ==
+While the classic key lime pie is made with a graham cracker crust, some variations use a pastry crust. Additionally, some recipes call for a meringue topping made from the leftover egg whites, while others prefer a dollop of whipped cream.
-* [[List of pies, tarts and flans]]
-* [[Cuisine of the United States]]
+== Serving ==
-* [[Florida cuisine]]
+Key lime pie is typically served chilled, often garnished with lime slices or zest. It is a popular dessert choice in the summer months due to its refreshing taste.
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Florida Keys]]
+* [[Key lime]]
+* [[Lime (fruit)]]
+* [[Pie]]
+{{Desserts}}
 [[Category:American desserts]]
-[[Category:Cuisine of the Southern United States]]
+[[Category:Citrus dishes]]
-[[Category:Florida cuisine]]
 [[Category:Pies]]
-{{American-dessert-stub}}
-{{food-stub}}
-== Key lime pie ==
-<gallery>
-File:Slice_of_key_lime_pie,_July_2007.jpg|Slice of key lime pie
-File:Key_lime_(Citrus___aurantiifolia)_-_DSC09279.jpg|Key lime (Citrus _ aurantiifolia)
-</gallery>