Saltine Cracker Crust Lime Pie (a.k.a. Atlantic Beach Pie)

There’s a recipe that’s been floating among my Facebook friend group this week that I found intriguing: a light, summer-y pie made with a surprising crust ingredient — saltine crackers. Apparently this recipe is somewhat of a staple on the North Carolina coast, but I certainly wasn’t familiar with it. I knew I had to try it, though. I’m always down for a solid sweet and salty combo, and plus, this sounded like a quick, easy recipe. And the fact that it includes lots o’ fresh squeezed lime juice sealed the deal. (I have quite a love for limes, as my friends know all too well.)

This recipe was everything I hoped it would be, and I’m so glad I gave it a go. I’ll be making this dessert many times!

Keep reading to find out how these…

…turned into this loveliness:

Ingredients (for the crust)

1 1/2 sleeves of saltine crackers
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 Tablespoons white sugar

Ingredients (for the filling)

1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
Fresh whipped cream, for garnish
Sea salt to taste (garnish)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
While you’re waiting for the oven to preheat, crush the crackers finely, but not to dust, in a large mixing bowl. (You can use a food processor, but your hands work just as well!)
Add the sugar, then knead in the softened butter until an almost dough-like consistency forms.
Press “dough” into an 8-inch pie pan.
Chill for 15 minutes, then bake for 18 minutes, or until the crust is just golden brown.
Once you’ve removed the crust from the oven, start mixing your filling by whisking together the condensed milk, egg yolks, and lime juice until completely combined.
Pour filling into the crust (the crust doesn’t have to be cool) and bake for 16 minutes to set the filling.

Be sure the pie is completely cool before slicing (you can put it in the fridge to speed up this process), and then slice and serve topped with fresh whipped cream and a sprinkle of sea salt, if desired*. (*If desired = if you love delicious things in your life. Seriously — be sure to add the whipped cream and sea salt!)