Florida Key Lime Pie

An adopted recipe from the RecipeZaar account. I did not make any changes to the recipe that is posted, but I do use approx 2 tablespoons more lime juice when I make it...just because I love the sharp lime flavor. Please taste the mix first before you add more lime juice.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 25 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• Crust

• 1 1⁄4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1⁄3 cup butter, melted

• Filling

• 5  large  egg yolks
• 1⁄2 cup lime juice, Freshly squeezed
• 1⁄3 cup sugar
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 2  tablespoons lime peel, Coarsely grated
• 2 1⁄2 cups heavy cream
• 1  small lime, sliced (optional)

Directions

1. Prepare crust: Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In 9" pie plate combine graham cracker crumbs and 2 tablespoons sugar;stir in butter until blended.
3. Press mixture firmly and evenly over bottom and sides of pie plate; bake 10 minutes until browned.
4. Cool completely on wire rack.
5. Prepare filling: In top of double boiler using wire whisk,beat egg yolks,lime juice,1/3 cup sugar and salt until well blended.
6. Set over simmering water;cook about 5 minutes,stirring constantly until mixture is thick enough to coat back of metal spoon.
7. Remove from heat; stir in 1 tablespoons grated lime peel.
8. Refrigerate mixture about 45 minutes until cool.
9. Meanwhile,in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed,beat cream until soft peaks form.
10. Set 1 cup whipped cream aside for garnish;fold cooled lime mixture into remaining cream.
11. Spoon filling into prepared crust;refrigerate at least 2 hours until set.
12. To serve: Spoon remaining whipped cream decoratively over top of pie; sprinkle cream with remaining 1 tablespoons lime peel.
13. Garnish with lime slices,if desired.