Key Lime Pie Ice Cream

As I’m sure I’ve said a billion and one times, I’m from Houston. And here in Houston, there really isn’t such a thing as Autumn. In my opinion, 80-something degree weather isn’t reminiscent of Fall.

But this isn’t me complaining (…yet, give me a few more weeks) but rather relishing in these last few weeks of warm weather.

  

The last few weeks of shimmering, golden sunlight gently falling on your sleepy face, peeking through that tiny slit in your curtains that, if it were not for the sun, you’d never notice. The last opportunities to walk around the flea markets hand-in-hand with your husband as you point out all the fluffy, adorable puppies that you demand he buy you, but he never does. The last chances to simply stand outside, stretch and breathe in deeply, inhale the warmth of the sunlight. The last moments to enjoy wearing your favorite feminine, flowy, flowery (alliteration!) tank top before you sadly (and begrudgingly) have to banish it for a few months.

And the last few excuses you have to make delicious, creamy ice cream that reminds you of far away islands.

This ice cream is creamy, flavorful and chocked full of graham cracker goodness. And it’s super simple to whip up. Make this before it’s too late 😉

Key Lime Pie Ice Cream
adapted from Cooking Light via Good Life Eats

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup lime juice*
1/2 cup heavy cream
Dash of salt
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
4 graham cracker sheets, coarsely crushed

*Note: I used fresh squeezed lime juice but the original recipe states that bottled lime juice can be used. Just be sure that it is as fresh as possible.

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine milk, lime juice, heavy cream, salt and sweetened condensed milk; whisk to combine.

Pour mixture into your ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions. I used my Kitchenaid Ice Cream Maker Attachment and let it run for the suggested 25 minutes and my ice cream was not what you would consider soft serve, so I let it run for another 10 minutes until it became more solid.

Stir in the crushed graham crackers into ice cream. Spoon ice cream into a freezer-safe container, and cover and freeze for 1 hour or until firm. Sprinkle each serving with 1 teaspoon graham crackers. Garnish with lime wedges or lime zest if you wish.

Ahhhh, who am I kidding? I love ice cream so much that I’m sure I’ll post more in the Winter months. After all, I am the loon who drinks hot cocoa and eats chili in the Summer and craves ice cream in the Winter.

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MSC – Triple Citrus Cupcakes

Upon reading the title and the recipe I wondered if the lemon would overpower the lime and orange flavors, but they didn’t.

They lived in harmony. Moist and tender crumb, beautiful flecks of zest peeking through the tops, an inviting aroma, lightly sweet and flavorful, these were a stunner. Now that’s what I call a happily ever after.

The texture was more muffin like to me so I only glazed one for show and left the rest plain to give away as a breakfast treat. I halved the recipe and used the zests of one lemon, one lime and one clementine. These were VERY well liked by the fiancé’s coworkers. They disappeared in no time, and I can understand why.

Another winner Martha. You don’t disappoint.

Thanks to Marthe from Culinairy Delights for choosing this recipe. You’ll have to get Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes book for the recipe.

Up next month: Cookies and Cream Cupcakes. These are great!

TWD – Creamiest Lime Cream Meringue Pie

Ten limes. TEN LIMES and NO lime juice to show for it!! Are these just grown purposely to be stubborn and juice-less in order to effectively AND efficiently drive me into a sweat filled panic?!

*squeezes lime*     “arg!”

*squeezes another lime*    “what the….”

*squeezes the bejezus out of yet ANOTHER lime*     “ok, seriously?!?”

*throws lime at fiance, in defeat*

Ok, not really the last part but these limes were nothing short of frustrating!

Thankfully a friend had some extra lime juice (yes, in a bottle. I know, I know. I have punished myself accordingly) but it was getting late. Oh the time, the TIME!!!

The crust came together great, thankfully I had some cinnamon graham crackers left over from my smores obsession a while back. The cream would NOT come to temperature for me (was it because I was using a meat thermometer?) so I kept it in my make-shift double boiler and left well enough alone. The meringue came together quickly (and burned just as quickly, see note at the end).

All in all, I can’t rave too much about this pie. It was ok, but I think it could be better and I honestly think it’s my fault that it isn’t. Mental note: research tell-tale signs of juicy limes. But you live and you learn. My mom and my fiance (gasp! One small step for man…) actually liked this pie so I guess it wasn’t a total loss. I would definitely make this again to conquer this recipe… using fresh limes, of course and less butter. Yes, definitely LESS BUTTER. *shudders*

My favorite part: the crust. I opted for the graham cracker crust. I firmly believe that I would have a love affair with graham cracker crust, if it were at all possible and not frowned upon in most civilizations.

My lesson learned note: when broiling the pie to brown the meringue, WATCH IT and do NOT walk away. Not even for 30 seconds, literally. By the time I put the pie in the oven and walked to the couch and sat down I smelled burned pie emulating from my oven. I quickly ran over to discover that my meringue was a bit on the, erm… DARK side.

Cue Darth Vader.

For the recipe, visit Linda of Tender Crumb. Her pictures are great and they will make your mouth water (unlike mine 😀 )

Click here for more pics.