Belizean Lime Pie – A Tangy Sweet Treat for Special Occasions

Lemon Meringue Pie (Belizean style)

Description: Treat yourself to a taste of Belize with our delightful Belizean Lime Pie recipe. Featuring a tart, sweet, and luscious filling made with fresh limes, this pie is perfect for birthdays or any special celebration. Follow our easy instructions to make this delicious dessert at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 can condensed milk (not filled milk)
• 4 eggs, separated
• 1/2 to 3/4 cups lime/lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• Zest two limes/lemons
• Store-bought baked pie crust or homemade crust

• Homemade crust ingredients:
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup shortening
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 5 tablespoons icy cold water

• Meringue ingredients:
  • 4 egg whites
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1/2 cup sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, combine lime/lemon juice, condensed milk, and 4 egg yolks. Mix well. Taste and add more lime/lemon juice if necessary. Set aside.
3. Prepare the crust: If using a store-bought crust, follow package instructions. For a homemade crust, mix flour, salt, and shortening in a bowl. Use fingertips to create a crumb-like texture. Add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms a ball (about 5 tablespoons). Let dough rest for 20 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough into a 10-inch circle and place it in a pie tin. Remove excess dough and prick with a fork. Place parchment paper over the dough, add a couple of handfuls of beans (to prevent puffing), and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove parchment paper and beans before filling.
5. While the crust bakes, prepare the meringue: Beat 4 egg whites, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, and 1 teaspoon lime juice until frothy. Gradually add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, and beat until stiff peaks form.
6. Assemble the pie: Place filling inside the baked crust, and spoon meringue on top. Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Allow the pie to cool for 1 hour before serving.

My daughter was born in the hot Belizean June and she always requests this pie on her birthday. She, like all of us, loves the tart, sweet lusciousness of this pie, especially if it is made with the limes that grow on our lime trees from our backyard in Belize. Limes have become a precious commodity in Belize, but they are still commonly grown in people’s backyards. Here in the U.S., we can easily find them in our grocery stores.

If you enjoyed this recipe you may also enjoy another typical Belizean dessert recipe for flan.