Key Lime Pie

I am a sucker for anything lime flavored (with the exception of jello), but one of my all time favorite things is key lime pie. I love the cool creamy lime filling and most of the time I am okay with the graham cracker crust (I am anti graham crackers), sadly key lime pie rarely lives up to my expectations. Generally it ends up being a soupy artificial green mess in a powdery store bought crust- not so yummy. I would eat it every day... if this wasnt the case. I also have one other tiny problem with key lime pie- Brian isnt a fan and no matter how much I love it I cant eat an entire pie in one weekend. So I have been looking for a delicious toned down version of this treat... and i recently found one. The lime flavor is tempered with cream cheese and instant vanilla pudding (strange I know). The combination is tangy and delicious... now I just need to get Bri to give it a try.

Key Lime Pie

Crust

8 graham crackers

2 T. sugar

5 T unsalted butter (melted)

Filling

1/4 c. sugar

1 T. lime zest

8 oz cream cheese

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 c. instant vanilla pudding powder

1 1/4 t. unflavored gelatin

1 c. fresh lime juice

1 t. vanilla extract

1. for the crust: adjust the over rack to middles position and heat oven to 350. Pulse crackers and sugar in food processor until combined, add melted butter and pulse until combined. Press mixture into 9 inch pie plate and bake 12-14 minutes or until it smells delicious (yes that is right).

2. For the filling: process (in food processor) sugar and lime zest until sugar is lime (haha) green. Add cream cheese and process until combined. Add condensed milk and pudding and process until smooth. Scrape down sides of the bowl. Stir gelatin and 2 T lime juice together in small bowl, microwave 15 seconds and add to food processor. Pulse until blended. Add remaining lime juice and vanilla extract, pulse until smooth. Pour into graham cracker crust. Let pie sit 10 minutes and serve (or cover and refrigerate until ready).

The finished product... not a great photo, but still yummy.