Sandra's Fresh Apple Pecan Cake (9x13")

 

My husband loves this cake
so much he had two pieces 'after' eating lunch...

Ingredients

2 Eggs
1 ½ cup Canola Oil
2 cups Granulated Sugar
3 cups A-P Flour
2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 ½ teaspoons Baking Soda
4 cups Chopped Apples (peeled and cored): measure after chopping
1 cup chopped Pecans: measure after chopping
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
⅔ cup 2% Milk
—Confectioners’ Sugar (for dusting top once cake has cooled)

Method

Preheat oven to 325F. Spray a glass 9x13” baking pan; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat eggs, oil and sugar with a hand mixer and set aside.
In a medium bowl, sift flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking soda together.
Add the sifted ingredients to the wet ingredients in the large bowl, use a wooden spoon to combine. Add apples, pecans, vanilla and milk to the cake mixture, and fold to combine.
Pour into prepared baking pan, and use a spatula to spread out evenly.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour and 10 minutes (turning half way for even baking), or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
When cake is completely cool, dust with confectioners’ sugar.

SANDRA'S CINNAMON RAISIN STREUSEL MUFFINS

 

An easy recipe to prepare
with awesome results...

Prep: 15 Mins.

Bake: 30 Mins.

Yield: 12 Cupcake-Size Muffins

 

INGREDIENTS

 Muffin batter:

 WET:

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg, beaten

2/3 cup milk

 DRY

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup raisins, tossed with 1 teaspoon A-P Flour (prevents them from sinking to bottom of batter)

 

Crumb topping:

1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cold butter, cubed

1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

 METHOD

 Preheat oven to 350F. Grease cupcake-size baking pan cups, or line with muffin liners and then spray insides.

 Whisk all muffin wet ingredients in a medium bowl, add all dry ingredient on top of wet ingredients (except raisins) and combine with a wooden spoon. Fold in flour-coated raisins. Scoop batter into prepared baking pan cups with/without liners until evenly disbursed.

Mix crumb topping ingredients in a small bowl using a pastry cutter (or fork) until crumbly and the size of peas, and sprinkle evenly over muffins (using a teaspoon) before baking.

Bake for 30 minutes (turning half way) in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in center of muffin comes out clean.

Let hot muffins cool in baking pan for a minimum of 10 minutes before removing, and serving.

Sandra's Homemade French Bread (1 loaf) with Garlic Bread Options

We prefer this small crumb soft crust version,
most recipes yield two loaves, this is a single loaf recipe;
perfect for my husband and me as there are no additives
so lasts several days (not weeks with unknown ingredients)...

 Ingredients

1 cup plus 2 TBS warm water
1 tablespoon agave
1-1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 cups all purpose flour
1TB canola oil
2 teaspoons kosher salt
—melted, salted butter for brushing

Steps

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the water agave and yeast. Let the mixture bubble and foam before proceeding (this can take 3-5 minutes).
Add the flour, oil and kosher salt, and mix. Let mixer knead dough for 2-3 minutes until the dough is smooth and has pulled away from sides.
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover with a greased plastic wrap. Let the dough rise until doubled, about an hour or so, depending on the warmth of your kitchen.
Turn the dough onto a lightly greased surface and pat into a thick rectangle, 9X13-inches or thereabouts (doesn't have to be exact). Roll the dough up starting from the long edge, pressing out any air bubbles or seams with the heel of your hand, and pinch the edge to seal. Arrange seam side down on a large baking sheet lined with a silt pat liner.
With a bread lame, razor blade or VERY sharp knife, cut five equally-spaced gashes at an angle on the top of loaf (you can wait to score the bread until after it rises, but it can easily deflate if the razor/knife isn't sharp enough).
Cover the loaf with greased plastic wrap, and let rise until noticeably puffy and nearly doubled in size, about 40 minutes (preheat oven at 30-min mark).
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and make sure the oven rack is in the center position.
Bake the loaf for 30 minutes total: turning and brushing with melted butter at the 15 min. mark, and then until golden and baked through (internal temp of 192F) for 15 additional mins.
Remove from oven and brush with melted butter over the hot loaf (this softens the crust a bit), place loaf on a baking rack, cover with kitchen towel and let cool, covered, for a minimum of 2 hours before storing.
Notes
To transform this loaf to “Sandra’s Garlic French Bread Loaf” Halves or slices:






Ingredients
16 oz. loaf of French bread (from Sandra’s Homemade French Bread): Cut either in half lengthwise, or into 1" slices (see baking times for either version)
½ cup salted butter softened  
½ teaspoon garlic granules 
1 teaspoon dried parsley 
¼ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated


Method 
Preheat oven to 425°F. Preheat oven to 425°F.
Slice loaf of French bread in half lengthwise. 
Stir together softened butter, garlic salt, parsley, and cheese. 
Use a spatula to spread butter mixture onto bread loaf and place the two halves face up on a baking sheet. 
If baking whole ‘halves’ as shown, bake for 6-8 minutes, or until toasty and golden brown.
If sliced to 1”-thick, bake for 5-6 minutes, or until toasty golden brown.


Notes 
If sliced 1”-thick then flash-frozen flat for 1 hour (and then frozen afterwards when put back together as a loaf before freezing), pull frozen slices apart, lay flat on baking sheet, and bake for about 7-10 minutes, or until toasty and golden brown.

Sandra’s Easy Apple Butter (No refined sugars or pectin)

Wonderful shelf-stable (no refrigeration needed until its opened) condiment,
a taste like no other that's excellent on toast,
bagels, English muffins, ice cream, etc...

Prep: 20 Mins.

Cook: 1 Hr.

Water Bath: 10 Mins.

Stand/Set: 24 Hrs.

Yield: 4 cups (or Four 1/2-pint jars)

Ingredients

10 medium honey crisp apples (about 3 pounds) washed, cored and cut into 1/4” pieces; no need to peel
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
½ cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract

Method

Stir all ingredients together in a medium-sized, heavy-bottom pot. Cover and cook on medium heat, stirring every 10 minutes while scraping bottom, for 1 hour, until apples have softened and reduced.
Turn off the heat, remove the lid, and let apples cool for 15 minutes.
Blend apple mixture with an immersion blender until smooth..
Distribute evenly among 4 sterilized 1/2-pint jars, prepare for processing by placing on lids, including screwing on ring only finger-tight.
Process in water bath, begin timing after boiling commences for 10 minutes.
Remove jars, using a jar-lifter, and place on a clean kitchen towel — do not disturb for 24 hours while they seal and set, which are shelf-stable up to 1 year. Be sure to label and date before storing.

Notes

Any jars that do not seal (I listen for ping/# of jars), place in refrigerator and use within 1 week.  

SANDRA'S ONE POT VENISON GOULASH

 

Prep: 10 Mins.

Cook: 40 Mins.

Rest: 5-10 Mins.

Servings: 8-10

Ingredients

1 pound ground venison
1 small onion, diced
½ red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup diced celery
1 small can sliced mushrooms, drained
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 teaspoon onion powder
1-1/2 cups water
1 can (14.5 oz.) tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1-1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon agave
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1-1/4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

Method

In a 6 quart heavy bottom saucepan, cook and crumble beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink.
Add the onion, green pepper, celery and mushrooms. Cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes.
Add garlic and onion powders, water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and its juice, Italian seasoning, agave, crushed red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and apple cider vinegar.  
Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes. 
Add the elbow macaroni and stir well. Return lid and continue to simmer for 15 minutes, covered, or until the noodles are done. 
Remove from heat, and allow to sit, covered, for 5-10 minutes and mix well before serving.

SANDRA'S CANDIED PECANS

 

Ingredients

1/2 cup granulated sugar, or more to taste
1-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg white
1 tablespoon water
1 pound pecan halves (4 cups)

Method

Preheat the oven to 250F.
Mix sugar, cinnamon, and salt together in a small bowl.
Whisk egg white and water together in a large bowl until frothy. Toss pecans in the egg white mixture to fully coat. Slowly pour in sugar mixture and stir until pecans are evenly coated. Spread onto a baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Stir pecans and rearrange into a single layer. Continue to cook, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes, until pecans are evenly browned, another 50 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 20 minutes before breaking them apart and storing in an airtight container for up to 1 month. You can also freeze them, just take out an hour before using on salads, snacking, baking, etc.

SANDRA'S MILE HIGH LEMON CHIFFON PIE

 

A truly decadent dessert
your family and friends are bound to love...

Prep: 1 Hr.

Yield: 8-10 Servings: (1) 9" Pie

Bake: 10 Mins. (Crust)

 

INGREDIENTS

Crust

1-1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 stick unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup ice water (more or less, depending on your humidity)

 

Filling

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/3 cup cornstarch

1 1/2 cups cold water

2 egg yolks, beaten

1/4 cup lemon juice

Pinch of kosher salt

--1 (14-oz. can) Sweetened Condensed Milk (reserve for assembling pie later on)

 

Whipped Cream/Topping, divided

1-3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup sifted confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

METHOD

Crust

Add flour to a food processor, and then add the butter pieces.  Pulse a few times until the mixture resembles small peas.  Add the salt and a couple of teaspoons of water through the tube at a time while pulsing until the mixture forms chunky-type balls.  Remove from food processor and place onto a lightly dusted flour surface, and form into ball, and then press flat.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 4 hrs. or overnight.  Remove from refrigerator, and dough let return to room temperature for 30 minutes before rolling out crust(s).

 

Preheat oven to 425F.

 

Line the pie plate, and flute the edges of crust, and then carefully pierce bottom and sides with a fork.  Gently place tin foil over inside of crust, and place beans (or pie ball weights) over foil to weight bottom of crust down while baking.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool completely before adding cream filling. (Note: You can save the beans in a sealed jar for the same use again, but not for cooking.)

 

Filling

In a ‘cold’ small saucepan, mix together water and cornstarch.

When the cornstarch dissolves, add sugar, lemon juice, slightly beaten egg yolks, and kosher salt.

Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until it thickens and comes to a boil.

Remove the thicken lemon mixture from the heat (or cook longer if you’d like it thicker).

Let the filling cool completely before using (but first cover top of filling with plastic wrap to prevent a skin  from forming).

 

Whipped Cream/Topping, divided: (2/3 for incorporating into filling / 1/3 for topping)

Place the mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes to chill. Pour the heavy whipping cream into the chilled bowl and use an electric mixer to beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks start to form. Slowly add the powdered sugar in batches and continue beating on high speed until stiff peaks form. Add the vanilla extract and whip to incorporate. Set aside.

 

Assemble the Pie

 

In a large mixing bowl, combine lemon pie filling and sweetened condensed milk and stir until they are well combined. Add 2/3rds of the prepared whipped cream (reserving 1/3 for topping); fold together until well combined. Pour the filling into the prepared crust leaving a high mound in center, top with reserved 1/3 of whipped cream, and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours until the filling is set. ~ Enjoy!

 

SANDRA'S EASY APPLE HAND PIES

 

So easy and delicious,
and these freeze beautifully
allowing you to bake them whenever you get a craving for them...

Yield: 8 Hand Pies
Prep: 20 Mins.
Bake: 15 Mins.
 
INGREDIENTS
 
FILLING:
1 TB salted butter
1 TB all-purpose flour
1 TB packed brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tsp apple pie spice blend
1 large honeycrisp apple, peeled, cored and finely diced
 
1 can refrigerated grand biscuit dough
 
—3 TB melted butter
—Cinnamon-sugar
 
METHOD
 
Heat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; set aside. Melt 3 TB butter; set aside with a pastry brush.
In a cold, small heavy-bottom saucepan, place all the filling ingredients into pan. Place over medium heat and constantly stir until apples are tender and sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool. (I like to make the filling ahead of time so I don’t have to wait for it to cool when I’m ready to bake these hand pies.)
 
Meanwhile, separate dough into 8 pieces; roll each into 5” rounds.
 
Place 2 tablespoons of filling slightly off center on each round. Fold dough over filling; press edges with fork to seal. Brush each with melted butter; sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Cut a small slit atop each hand pie.
 
Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown, turning baking sheet halfway through baking. Immediately remove hand pies from baking sheet to a cooling rack. Cool 5 minutes before serving; serve warm. ~ Enjoy!
 
TIP:
To freeze, place un-baked hand pies on a baking sheet in a single layer and flash-freeze for 3 hours. Place in a ziploc freezer bag, removing as much air as possible, then label and date.
 
Cook frozen hand pies in a preheated 350F oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

 

SANDRA'S HOMEMADE MILD SWEET ITALIAN MOOSE SAUSAGE

It's imperative to let the flavors meld for a minimum of 12 hours
prior to cooking
this wonderful moose sausage...

Yield: Four 2-1/2 lb. portions (total of 2 lbs.)
Prep: 20 Mins.
Cook Patties: 3-4 Mins per side (7-8 Mins total)

Meld Flavors: 12 hours

 
INGREDIENTS
 
2 pounds lean ground moose (venison or other meats and poultry work well too)
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon fine-ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground fennel seed
--(crush whole seeds in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder)
¼ teaspoon brown sugar
⅛ teaspoon dried oregano
⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
 
METHOD
 
Place ground moose and red wine vinegar in the bowl of a food processor, sprinkle with parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, salt, black pepper, paprika, red pepper flakes, fennel seed, brown sugar, oregano, and thyme. Gently pulse until flecks of spice are evenly distributed throughout meat (scraping down sides as needed).
 
Form mixture into four 3-inch squares (1/2 lb. ea.), double-wrap each in plastic wrap, label, and date. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours before cooking, or freeze* directly.
 
To cook thawed sausage, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Form mixture into 3" patties that are 1/2" thick.  Working in batches, cook sausage patties in the hot skillet until no longer pink in the center, about 3-4 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160F.
 
TIP:
*You can freeze the sausage if desired - when ready to use, pull out of freezer and thaw in refrigerator overnight then continue to prepare as stated above.

Here is the frozen version
(made yesterday and froze overnight)

SANDRA'S SOURDOUGH-AGAVE HOAGIE ROLLS

 

Soft and perfect sourdough-agave hoagie rolls, my 3 favorite ways I use them are:
- Italian Subs
- Italian Meatball Subs
- Moose/Venison French Dips

Yield: 10 Hoagie Rolls

Bake: 20 Minutes

INGREDIENTS:

Sponge:

1/4 cup pre-fed sour dough starter (stir beforehand)

1 cup AP (All-Purpose) Flour

1 cup warm water

Mix together all the sponge ingredients in a large glass measure, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit a minimum of 12 hours before making rolls.

Sponge you'll prepare 12 hours
prior to making sour dough bread
and will leave at room temperature

Replenish Starter (replenish, cover and let sit out for 12 hrs, then return to frig):

1 cup warm water

1 cup AP flour

Using a wooden spoon and a glass measuring cup, mix together replenish starter ingredients and pour into jar with sour dough starter. Cover and let stand at room temperature 12 hours before refrigerating.

Don't forget to replenish your
starter after removing
a portion for your sponge
~~~~
Sandra's Sour Dough Starter
recipe

Dough:

2-1/4 teaspoons regular yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1 tablespoon agave

2-1/3 cups all-purpose (AP) flour; plus

1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or the same AP)

2 teaspoons kosher salt

4 tablespoons 'cold' butter, cut into small cubes

1 tablespoon melted butter, for brushing rolls halfway through baking

METHOD

For the dough, in a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook, dissolve yeast and 1/2 cup warm water, add agave, stir with a spoon and allow to proof for 5-10 minutes.

Stir in sponge, add AP flour (and whole wheat flour, if using), and kosher salt. Turn mixer on #2 to combine, increase speed to #3 and continue mixing until dough comes away from sides of bowl to form ball (adding additional water 1 TB at a time if needed, depending upon surrounding humidity environment). Continue to knead on #3 for 4 minutes.

While mixer is running, add the cold butter a few cubes at a time and give mixer time to incorporate, then repeat process until all the butter has been added (do not rush this step).  Let the dough continue to knead for 3 additional minutes.

Place dough on oiled plastic wrap. Clean mixing bowl, then lightly spray with canola oil, place dough ball back into bowl and turn over to coat in oil all around. Cover with plastic wrap. Nest bowl on kitchen towels, both underneath and around it.  Let dough rise until doubled for approximately 1 hour.

Prepare a rimmed baking sheet (1/2-sheet pan size) by lining it with parchment paper; set aside.

Turn dough out onto a lightly oiled surface; knead into a flat disc, cut into 8 equal balls. Shape each ball into 6" long rolls. Place rolls onto the prepared baking sheet, cover with a plastic wrap and allow to rise until doubled, about 30-40 minutes.

Meanwhile, allow oven to preheat to 375 degrees at end of dough rising time. Set aside an instant read thermometer.

Cut light lengthwise slashes atop of each roll. Bake for 10 minutes, removed par-baked rolls and brush with melted butter, then return to oven and continue baking 10 minutes longer, or until internal temperature reads 192 degrees.

Remove rolls from oven and place them right-side-up onto a cooling rack. Cover rolls completely with clean kitchen towels and let cool for a minimum of 2 hours before storing in a plastic bag.

Store at room temperature for 2 days, then refrigerate to store longer. If you freeze the rolls, be sure to double wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a Ziploc bag that you'll need to label and date. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA’S LEMON POPPY SEED GLAZED AND ICED POUND CAKE

 

If you're a lemon lover like I am, this recipe is for you!!

Yield: (1 Loaf)
Prep: 25 Mins.
Bake: 50 Mins.
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
Cake:
½ cup salted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 TB lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla paste (or extract)
½ cup sour cream
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 TB poppy seeds
½ tsp double-acting baking powder (or regular)
¼ tsp baking soda
 
Syrup:
¼  cup granulated sugar
2 TB lemon juice
 
Glaze:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
3 TB lemon juice
 
METHOD:
 
Preheat oven to 375F. Use baking spray to spray an 8” loaf pan; set aside.
 
In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to cream butter and sugar together at medium-high speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Incorporate the eggs one at a time on low speed, then add the lemon zest, vanilla paste and sour cream; mix to combine while scrapping sides of bowl as needed.
 
Place a sieve over the wet ingredients (use a wooden spoon beneath it to prevent it hitting the wet ingredients if needed), and add the flour, poppy seeds, baking powder and baking soda and shake to sift over wet ingredients. Mix on low just until incorporated (do not over mix or pound cake will become dry).
 
Add batter to prepared loaf pan and smooth out with spatula, then bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on baking rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pan to baking rack to further cool.
 
Meanwhile, prepare the lemon syrup in a small heavy-bottom saucepan, combine the sugar and lemon juice and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once it comes to a boil, reduce heat to low and continue to simmer while stirring for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Brush syrup over pound cake on top and all sides, then let cake cool at room temperature for 1 hour.
 
While cake is absorbing syrup, prepare the glaze by combining the sifted confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl. Drizzle the glaze over the pound cake, then serve. ~ Enjoy!
 

SANDRA'S ONE-BOWL APPLE CAKE in ONE-HOUR

This the most amazing and flavorful cake; simply incredible...

Yield: 12 Servings

Prep: 20 Minutes
Bake: 55-60 Minutes
 
INGREDIENTS

2 large eggs
1-13/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 large honey crisp apples (or 6 medium), peeled, cored, and diced)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons apple pie spice
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
 
Garnish:
Confectioners' sugar
 
METHOD
 
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a glass 9x13" baking dish; set aside.
 
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, oil, vanilla extract and lemon juice.  Switch to a large spatula and fold in the diced apples; mixing to combine. Place all remaining ingredients into a sieve and sift over wet ingredients in bowl; fold to combine.
 
Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish, and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
 
Move cake from oven to a cooling rack, cover with paper towels to let cool, then serve garnished with a generous dusting of confectioners' sugar. ~ Enjoy!
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Tips:

1) Store remaining cake that has been cooled, covered in plastic wrap, in the glass baking dish, and

2) If you bake the cake in another ceramic, metal, aluminum, etc. baking dish that is not glass, your baking times will vary (that is, will take either longer or a shorter time to bake). 

SANDRA'S MINI KEY LIME PIES

 

Yields: 5 Mini Pies [5 (8-oz./1-cup size) Ramekins]

Prep: 15 Mins.

Bake Crust: 8 Mins.

Bake Filled Pies: 8 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Crust:

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1-1/2 tablespoons salted butter melted

Filling:

1 (14 oz. can) sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup sour cream

1/3 cup key lime juice (or lime juice)

1 key lime zested (or a regular lime zested)

1 large egg yolk, beaten

Whipping cream:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350F. Place 5 ramekins on a baking sheet; set aside. Place a medium glass bowl in the refrigerator to chill for whipped cream preparation.

For the crust, place the butter and sugar in a small glass bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Add the graham cracker crumbs and mix to combine. Spoon the crust mixture equally amongst the 5 ramekins and press to form crust-like bottoms.  Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling by zesting the lime (divide in half, as you'll use 1/2 for the filling and the other 1/2 for garnishing the pies).  In a 4-cup glass measure, add the lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, beaten egg yolk, and 1/2 the lime zest; whisk to combine until smooth.

Once the crust are baked, pour the filling equally on top of the crusts in the 5 ramekins; bake for 8 minutes. Remove from oven to a baking rack and let mini pies cool for 30 minutes.

Once cooled, place in refrigerator, uncovered, for 3 hours to fully set and for flavors to meld.

Meanwhile, prepare the whipped cream in the prepared chilled bowl and whip until peaks form, add the vanilla extract and confectioners' sugar; whip to incorporate until it reaches the stiff-peak stage. Place, covered, in the refrigerator until pies are ready to serve (along with the remaining lime zest for garnish).

After 3 hours, remove the pies, top with whipped cream, sprinkle each pie equally with the remaining lime zest. ~ Enjoy!

___________

Tip: If you are not going to serve all of them after the 3-hour refrigeration time, please cover any remaining pies with plastic wrap and feel free to store up to 5 days.