Key lime and lemon meringue pie lovers, gather around! Perfected by Chef Bill Smith at his iconic restaurant, Crookâs Corner in North Carolina, Atlantic beach pie is a twist on a North Carolina dessert staple that swaps traditional meringue for whipped cream and a graham cracker crust for one made with crushed crackers.
Ingredients
CRACKER CRUST
21/2
sleeves butter crackers (about 75 crackers/250 g.)
1/2c.
butter, softened
1/4c.
packed light brown sugar
LEMON-LIME CUSTARD FILLING
4
large egg yolks
2
large eggs
1
(14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1/3c.
fresh lemon juice (from about 2 large lemons)
1/3c.
fresh lime juice (from 3 to 4 large limes)
WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING AND ASSEMBLY
1c.
heavy cream
3tbsp.
light brown sugar
1tsp.
finely grated lemon zest
1tsp.
finely grated lime zest
Flaky sea salt
Directions
Directions
CRACKER CRUST
Step 1In a food processor, pulse crackers until finely ground with a few pea-size pieces remaining, 25 to 30 pulses. Add butter and brown sugar and continue to pulse until butter is incorporated and a crumbly dough starts to form, about 15 pulses.
Step 2Transfer cracker mixture to a 9" glass pie pan. Press into an even layer in bottom and up sides of pan. Freeze 10 minutes.
Step 3Preheat oven to 350°. Bake crust until deep golden brown and smells nutty and fragrant, about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
LEMON-LIME CUSTARD FILLING
Step 1In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks, eggs, and milk until combined. Add lemon juice and lime juice and whisk until smooth.
Step 2Pour custard into pie shell. Continue to bake until center of pie is set but still slightly jiggly, about 18 minutes.
Step 3Transfer pie plate to a wire rack and let cool 1 hour. Place in refrigerator and chill until cold, about 2 hours.
WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING AND ASSEMBLY
Step 1Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed or a whisk, in a medium bowl, beat cream and brown sugar until stiff peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Using a piping bag or spatula, top cooled pie with whipped cream.
Step 2Sprinkle with lemon zest and lime zest and a pinch of sea salt.
Step 3Make Ahead: Pie can be made 4 days ahead. Cover pie plate with plastic and chill.