Authentic Florida Key Lime Pie with Maria Cookie Crust

Ingredients

• 7 ounces Maria cookies ((1 pack; about 30 cookies total))
• 4 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
• 4 large egg yolks
• 28 ounces sweetened condensed milk ((2 cans - 14 ounces each))
• 3/4 cup key lime juice*
• 1 tablespoon lime zest

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. 2

   In a food processor, pulse the Maria cookies until they are finely crushed into crumbs. This should give you about 2 cups of finely crushed Maria cookies.

3. 3

   Transfer to a bowl with brown sugar and melted butter. Stir all the ingredients together until you get a wet sand consistency.

4. 4

   Into a 9-inch pie plate, add the Maria cookie mixture and press firmly up the sides of the pie dish using your hands and to the bottom of the dish using the bottom of a measuring cup.

5. 5

   Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes until set and golden brown. Set aside to cool.

6. 6

   In a medium bowl using an electric mixer or in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whisk the egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and fresh lime zest until well combined.

7. 7

   Pour the mixture over the cooled crust.

8. 8

   Bake the pie for 15 minutes until just set. If the outer rim looks set but the middle jiggles when you gently shake the dish, it's done.

9. 9

   Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack then chill for 1 hour or up to 2 days in the fridge before serving.

10. 10

    Slice and serve with your favorite garnish like fresh lime zest, lime slices, whipped cream, or meringue. Enjoy!