Serendipity’s Lemon Ice Box Pie
Submitted by bmwatl on June 29, 2005 at 11:03 pm

DESCRIPTION
Serendipity's Lemon Ice Box Pie

SUMMARY
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INSTRUCTIONS
LEMON ICE BOX PIE
One of the first cooks hired at Serendipity was the fabulous Miss Essie Vaughn, who created our legendary Lemon Ice Box Pie. In the early Sixties a condensed milk company was offering a kolinsky fur in exchange for a thousand condensed milk labels, and it just so happened that Miss Essie's new pie recipe called for that very product. Miss Essie piled on the whipped cream, making sure her lemon pie was a big seller. Five hundred pies later, she strolled into the restaurant swathed in her fur.

For the crust:
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) graham cracker crumbs (10 to 12 full-size crackers)
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
For the filling:
2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup lemon juice
Whipped cream

To make the crust: In a medium bowl, blend together the crumbs, cinnamon, and butter using a handheld mixer until fully incorporated. Scrape the mixture into a 9-inch pie pan. Using your fingers or the back of a spoon, press the mixture firmly onto the base and up the sides of the pan, forming a uniform crust about 1/4-inch thick. Refrigerate until ready to use.

To make the filling: In a medium saucepan, preferably nonstick, whisk together the milk, egg yolks, and lemon juice until smooth. Cook the custard over medium heat until very hot to the touch, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Do not allow to boil.

Strain the custard through a sieve into the prepared pie shell. Smooth the filling, forming a slight dome in the center. Refrigerate uncovered at least one hour, or until set. Cover with plastic wrap and chill completely, at least another hour.

Serve wedges cold with plenty of whipped cream, just like Miss Essie did. Store covered in the refrigerator.

One deluxe 9-inch pie for 6 or more.
Sweet Serendipity
2004
by Stephen Bruce
Universe Publishing