Lemon-Lime Pie for my Hubby
Last summer, I read about a blogger, Jennie of In Jennie’s Kitchen, who lost her husband Mikey unexpectedly. You can read the “for Mikey” post here. Mikey loved creamy peanut butter pie and so food bloggers worldwide made peanut butter pies for their loved ones to help in Jennie’s healing process. Such a bittersweet memory forever engraved in my mind. When I heard of Jennie’s story and the pie for her husband Mikey it made me think about my own husband and how I’d never made his favorite pie.
I decided this would be the year I would make him his favorite pie – I guess Jennie’s story really hit home with me and her sweet words continue to ring in my mind. Hug them like there’s no tomorrow because today is the only guarantee we can count on. I did not have the courage to make the peanut butter pie for the man I love that day, but instead I promised myself I’d make his favorite pie one day. Well that day is finally here.
I have never made a key lime pie before, and it’s very sad because it’s my hubby’s favorite dessert. When I saw this Lemon-and-lime icebox pie with a chocolate graham-cracker crust recipe on the Homesick Texan blog I knew he would love it and I told myself I’d make it for his next birthday. I don’t know what I’d do without my husband. As corny as it sounds he truly does complete me. We are total opposites and yet we balance each other out, a ying and yang of sorts. We often forget to stop and smell the roses in this crazy thing called life. Often times it’s those who are closest to us that we take for granted and really shouldn’t. So this pie is a tribute to you babe. Te amo!
I dedicate this recipe to you on your 41st birthday. Happy birthday sweetie!
What is your special someone’s favorite dessert or dish?
Lemon Lime icebox pie with a chocolate graham-cracker crust
Ingredients
For the chocolate graham-cracker crust:
- 1 1/2 cups finely crushed graham crackers, about 8 large rectangles
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 8 tablespoons butter, melted, still warm
For the lemon and lime filling:
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- juice of 1 lemon, about 1/4 cup
- juice of 1 lime, about 2 tablespoons
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- whipped cream and fresh blueberries for topping
Instructions
- To make the crust, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9-inch pie pan. In a food processor or with a rolling pin, finely crush the graham crackers until they’re the texture of sand. Mix well the graham crackers with the cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract and salt. Stir in the warm, melted butter until a dark dough is formed.
- Pat the dough into the pie pan, using your hands, a measuring cup or a spoon to get it even. Bake for 7 minutes and then let the crust cool for one hour.
- To make the filling, in a blender mix together the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, lime juice, lemon zest, lime zest, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Pour into the cooled crust, and refrigerate covered with plastic wrap for at least 2 hours to set the filling.
- Serve with whipped cream and fresh blueberries on top.
Notes
- Serve with whipped cream and any fruit you like. I enjoy blueberries with this pie but raspberries would be awesome too.
48 Comments on “Lemon-Lime Pie for my Hubby”
This is beautiful and your absolutely right. So sad for what Jennie’s family has been through this year. <3 Love them everyday.
So nice you made his favorite pie. Sometimes a little extra TLC goes a long way…
Why is it that we need a terrible “wake up call” to do what should be as natural as breathing or blinking? Yes, I know life gets in the way, work, deadlines, we’re multi-tasking. But your post and this beautiful act of kindness toward the people we love the most is a reminder to not take those closest to us–or life–for granted.
I agree Viviana! We do just need to be more kind — Why is that so hard? Seems sooo simple!
Beautiful pictures and delicious looking pie! I too remember reading Jennie’s story a couple months ago and I hope she’s doing well.
I really hope she is well too m&m!
So did he love it?!!
My husband loves anything with chocolate, especially chocolate cake.
He totally LOVED it Lisa! He said it was the BEST he’s ever had. And if you know my hubby he is VERY honest 😉 YAY!
Simple yet so elegant! Thanks for sharing!
What a lovely post and so true! I’m glad you made this for your husband – it sounds delicious.
Thank you Susan! He was a very happy camper 😉 It was a sweet day!!!
This pie looks beautiful! I love lemon lime pie. I will save this and hopefully will try it soon! Blessings, your friend, Catherine xo
Thank you Catherine! Its a very easy recipe — I had all the ingredients on-hand which made it that much easier.
Que rico! I have to try this! I do love Key Lime Pie, so I suspect that I will love this homemade Lemon-Lime, too. Thank you for sharing this!
Thanks Monica! In my opinion it beats a traditional key-lime pie. And the chocolate graham-cracker crust makes it that much yummier!
Mmmm looks delish!! I especially love the crust. 😉
Thank you so much Laurita — The crust was pretty darn amazing!
That pie looks really good. I love key-lime. I don’t know jenny’s story but so true are the words. I once made my husband’s favorite dessert- peach cobbler. It came out so good and I felt so proud of myself for all the work and love I put into it.
Thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you Justice Jonesie. I did feel very proud and was especially happy with the end result. My hubby and I ate the entire pie over the weekend (naughty). It is a super simple and amazing recipe.
Ayyy creo que es hora de comer para mí!! Me has dejado con unas ganas de postre locas!!
Este pastel esta riquisimo! — Delicioso y muy facil de preparar!
How sweet! The love showered on Jennie was amazing! great pie!
Gracias Vianney!
Wow – bittersweet story for sure. Beautiful photos as always.
Gracias Tracy!
So sweet that you baked this pie for your husband. It really is about the little things…
Thank Sujeiry~
My hubby was very touched — He was very appreciative. Love him bunches 😉
I remember when the meme’s were going around in support of Jennie. I should have done something for her. Your pie is lovely.
Thank you Bren!
Beautiful story. I read about Jennie and Mickey a while ago, and was struck by her strength and the deep sadness of her loss. And I love the way you tell your husband that he is your other half. We all need that in our lives. Delicious recipe. It´s in my to-do list. Thanks, Yvette.
Thank you perudelights. I was very nervous to even bring up Jennie’s story and her loss, but for some reason felt I had to share it. I don’t know if she’ll ever read this post, but just wanted to remind everyone to appreciate, love, and hug the ones we love. I printed this post for my hubby and he was truly touched by my story. His birthday was very special for the both of us 🙂
Just beautiful and amazing…the sentiment and the pie! 🙂
You are too sweet! Thank you Patty!
What a great post-and yummy looking pie! Definetly going to try it.
Thanks Ms. Katiepies! I’d love to hear what the pie expert has to say about this recipe 😉
Such a great post and such a lovely pie. Looking forward to making it for myself.
Thanks Eliana! I hate to admit that we ate the entire pie over the weekend. It was that good!
The last two articles are just wonderful. Love the touch with family photos. Recipes are always amazing but added that little extra touch by bringing in la familia. Muy Bueno, You Rock.
Thank you Sharron! We truly have to appreciate the ones we love — especially familia. We all have our ups and downs and need to love our familia and accept them for who they are. ~Yvette
Very nice post Yvette and fabulous looking and sounding pie.
Thank you Lea Ann! Best part is that it is super simple!!!
Moving post and a delicious looking pie! That slice looks utterly irresistible 🙂
Thank you so much Lucy! Normally I am not a huge fan of key-lime pies, but I have to admit this recipe is pretty darn amazing!
this touched me deeply. The pie sounds amazing. THANK YOU.
So glad Chris!
Beautiful post…beautiful pie.
Gracias Girlichef! My hubby was very impressed and LOVED the pie 😉