It’s time to celebrate, friends!

Grab your party hats, pink boas, and kazoos because today we’re surprising, Jeanne, the author of Inside NanaBreads Head, with a virtual birthday party!

Jeanne, who is a true gem, turns the big 5-0 today. So, in honor of this milestone birthday a few other fellow food blogger ladies are celebrating her birthday with a few sweet and savory treats.

Now, given that Jeanne is a one-of-a-kind-knock-your-aprons-off-full-proof-epic-baker, I felt I needed to pay homage to the sugar queen. I’m always telling Jeanne that she needs to fly to Denver to show me the ways of the baking world.

Well, I decided to put on big girl panties and cowgirl boots and bake something that would truly make her smile. Key lime pie is a classic pie dish that everyone knows because it’s always in the turn around pie holder at the local diner. You can never miss it – green glowing custard with cool whip and a giant lime wedge on top.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with the standard key lime pie, but we are celebrating folks, and that calls for a little boot-scooting boogie. That’s why I thought these mini key lime pies with animal cracker crust would be a hoot! I couldn’t stop giggling while making these little pies. I remember eating these crackers as a little girl saving the hippo for last because it was my favorite. And you can’t forget about the filling. Holy lime heaven!  If lime custard is wrong, I don’t want to be right!

Anyways, I hope these mini key lime pies make you smile, Jeanne. You are a wise soul and I am so glad we have become friends.

Happy Birthday, Jeanne!

Katie of Hill Country Cook: Chocolate Cake with Cooked Flour Frosting

Kirsten of Comfortably Domestic: Orange Cream Pie 

Madeline of Munching in the Mitten: Fig, Fontina, and Pecan Flatbread 

Mads of La Petite Pancake: Cheesey Chorizo Dip

Yours Truly: Mini Key Lime Pies with Animal Cracker Crust

Megan of Wanna Be A Country Cleaver: Nutella Turnovers

Monica of The GromMom: Tropical Ice Cream

Carrie of Bakeaholic Mama: Coconut Banana Brownie Pie

Kat of Tenaciously Yours: Guacamole

Allison of Decadent Philistines: Coca Cola Cake

Anne of My Sweet Heart: Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream Cones

Beka of Kvetchin’ Kitchen: Aged Manhattan

Mini key lime pies with animal cracker crust

Yield: 12 Servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 36 minutes
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Ingredients

For the Crust:

  • 3 cups animal crackers, crushed
  • 12 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, cooled
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar

For the Key Lime Pie FIlling:

  • 1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tbsp confectioners sugar
  • ½ cup lime juice
  • 2 limes zested
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 12 mini lime wedges, garnish
  • Cool Whip, garnish

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

For the Crust:

  • In a large bowl, mix together animal crackers, butter, and granulated sugar.
  • Line a 12 cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. Gently press animal cracker mixture into each baking cup liner.
  • Only fill up to 3/4 of the way. Bake crust for about 5 minutes to let it set.
  • Remove from oven. Let it cool before adding the filling.

For the Key Lime Filling:

  • In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients.
  • Pour about a tablespoon of the filling into the cool cracker crust. Don't overfill.
  • Bake the custards for about 12 minutes or until your kitchen smells like a giant key lime pie. Remove pies from the oven. 
  • Cool before setting into fridge. You will want to chill the pies in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

To Serve:

  • Remove cupcake liners. top mini pies with a dollop of Cool Whip and lime wedge.
Author: Lauren Grier
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #thecuriousplate!