Limes are not just for garnishing your favorite G&T's

Since it's my last weekend before school starts again for another semester, I thought I defiantly deserved a reward for my assumed hard work.  I was initially thinking chocolate, thick and gewy... but there's something depressing about Chocolate, it always mysteriously disappears (into my stomach in the middle of the night).  Since I'm currently dreading the grind, I thought a nice uplifting sunny dessert will do just fine (holla that rhymes).  Whats more bright and happy than Key Lime Pie.  You can't help but smile when you think of that tangy, sweet treat, and good news, its relatively easy!

For the CRUST:

• 1 1/2 Cups of crushed Graham Crackers
• 1/4 Cup of Sugar ( I used 1/8 cup and it was fine)
• 6 Tablespoons of Melted Butter 

-Combine Graham Crackers, Sugar and Butter in a bowl.  Press combined ingredents into a nine inch baking pan.  Bake for 10 mins. and allow to fully cool.

For the FILLING:

• 6 Extra Large Egg Yolks, at room temperature *
• 1/4 Cup of Sugar
• 1 14 oz. can of Sweetened Condensed Milk (this was pretty sweet, and the pie turned out on the sweet side, so I might use Unsweetened next time.
•  2 Tablespoons of grated Lime Zest
•  3/4 Cup of freshly squeezed Lime Juice

*If your like me and never remebers to take out the eggs before baking, here is a trick, submerge the eggs in warm water for 15 minutes, this will bring your eggs to room temperature (better than waiting 30 mins for eggs to come to room temp straight from the fridge.)

- Beat egg yolks and sugar on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for 5 mins.

- Turn the mixer on to medium and add the remaining ingredients.

- Add filling to the pre baked pie shell.

For the TOPPING:

•  1 Cup of cold Heavy Cream
• 1/4 Cup of Sugar
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Pure Vanilla Extract
• Thin Lime Wedges (for decoration.)

- Place the Heavy Cream in the stand up mixer  with the whisk attachment.  Process on high until soft peaks begin to form.

- Add sugar and Vanilla and power whisk on high until steep peaks form.

enjoy!