Bring on the Birthdays
By Ali Lemmons / Photos by Rich Smith
The only thing sweeter than a tasty dessert is having family, friends, and loved ones to share it with. While a birthday might conventionally call for cake, there are endless possibilities for desserts that can be used to celebrate. Here, we chat with four local women to find out their favorite birthday desserts and the accompanying traditions that make them all the more special.
Kassaundra Mai’s Key Lime Pie
Indulge in a classic Key Lime Pie with a graham cracker crust and tangy lime filling, perfect for any occasion. This recipe yields 8-10 servings of refreshing, creamy goodness.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- 6 Tbsp. salted butter, melted
For the filling:
- 28 oz. sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 large egg yolks
- ¾ cup key lime juice
- ¼ tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsp. lime zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Lightly grease a 9-inch round pie dish
- In a large bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon
- Add butter and stir until combined
- Pour the crust mixture into the prepared pie dish, pressing it down into the bottom of the dish and halfway up the sides
- Bake for 7 minutes, then remove crust
- In a large bowl, whisk together condensed milk, sour cream, egg yolks, lime juice, and vanilla until smooth
- If desired, whisk in lime zest
- Pour the key lime pie filling into the warm pie crust
- Return to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges of the filling look set and it’s slightly jiggly
- Remove from the oven and set the pie on a wire rack to cool
- Chill for at least 3 hours (or overnight)
- Once chilled, decorate the pie with homemade whipped cream, if desired, and chill until the whipped cream is set
