1. Prep Oven & Crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch pie dish. In a bowl, combine crushed saltine crackers, melted butter, and sugar. Mix until well blended, then press mixture evenly into the bottom and sides of the pie dish.
2. Pre-Bake the Crust:
Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool completely before adding filling.
3. Make the Filling:
In a bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth.
4. Fill & Bake:
Pour filling into cooled crust and bake for 15 minutes, or until the filling is set.
5. Cool & Chill:
Allow pie to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until chilled and firm.
6. Serve:
Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of lemon zest. Slice and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
Use fresh juice: Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice gives the best flavor.
Ensure a crisp crust: Make sure the crust is fully baked and cooled before adding filling.
Chill thoroughly: Chilling helps the filling set and enhances creaminess.
Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free crackers in place of saltines.
Dairy-free option: Swap for vegan condensed milk and dairy-free whipped cream.
Citrus twist: Try lime, orange, or grapefruit for a refreshing variation.
