Atlantic Beach Pie: A Citrusy Seaside Dream

Introduction & Inspiration

Atlantic Beach Pie is a North Carolina classic, a dessert that’s as refreshing and unique as the coastal region it’s named after. With its salty-sweet cracker crust, tangy citrus filling, and creamy whipped topping, it’s a pie that defies expectations and delights the senses.

My inspiration for this recipe comes from a fascination with regional specialties and a love for simple, yet flavorful desserts. I was intrigued by the unusual crust and the bright, citrusy filling, and I wanted to recreate this coastal classic in my own kitchen.

This pie is perfect for a summer gathering, a potluck, or any time you want a dessert that’s both easy to make and incredibly satisfying. It is original and delicious.

The perfect pie, to be enjoyed all year.

Nostalgic Appeal

While Atlantic Beach Pie might not be as widely known as some other pies, it has a devoted following and a strong regional identity. For those who grew up near the North Carolina coast, it evokes memories of summer vacations, seafood shacks, and seaside picnics.

The combination of salty crackers, sweet condensed milk, and tart citrus is unexpectedly delicious. It’s a flavor profile that’s both familiar and unique, a reminder of simpler times and coastal charm.

This recipe aims to capture that nostalgic appeal while providing clear, step-by-step instructions for making this unique and delightful pie at home. It’s a way to bring a taste of the North Carolina coast to your own table.

It is a pie to be shared, with friend and family.

Homemade Focus

Even though this pie uses some convenience ingredients, the spirit of homemade is still at its heart. We’re making a simple, yet satisfying crust from scratch, crafting a tangy filling with fresh citrus juice, and topping it all with homemade whipped cream.

While you could certainly use pre-made whipped topping, taking the extra few minutes to whip your own cream makes a noticeable difference in flavor and texture. It’s a small detail that elevates the entire pie. The crust could be done with pre-made cookies, but the result would be less tasty.

This recipe is about embracing simplicity without sacrificing quality. It’s about creating something delicious and memorable with just a few key ingredients and a little bit of effort. It is an easy dessert.

Flavor Goal

The flavor goal for this Atlantic Beach Pie is a delightful balance of salty, sweet, and tart. The saltine cracker crust provides a surprising salty crunch that perfectly complements the sweet and tangy filling.

The filling is intensely citrusy, thanks to the combination of lemon and lime juice. The sweetened condensed milk adds richness and creaminess, creating a smooth, luscious texture.

The whipped cream topping adds a light and airy element, balancing the richness of the filling and providing a final touch of sweetness. The overall effect is a pie that’s both refreshing and indulgent, a perfect combination of contrasting flavors and textures. A delightful pie.

Ingredient Insights

For the Crust:

• Saltine Crackers: The unexpected star of the show! Saltine crackers create a surprisingly delicious and unique crust that’s both salty and slightly sweet. They provide a perfect textural contrast to the creamy filling.
• Unsalted Butter (Softened): Binds the cracker crumbs together and adds richness and flavor to the crust.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the crust and helps it to brown nicely.

For the Filling:

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides the sweetness and creamy texture for the filling. It’s a key ingredient that gives this pie its unique flavor.
• Large Egg Yolks: Add richness and help to thicken the filling, creating a smooth, custard-like consistency.
• Lemon Juice and Lime Juice: Provide the bright, tangy citrus flavor that defines this pie. Freshly squeezed juice is essential for the best flavor.

For Serving:

• Whipped Cream or Whipped Topping: Adds a light and airy element that balances the richness of the filling. While you can use store-bought whipped topping, I highly recommend making your own whipped cream.
• Heavy Cream
• Sugar
• Vanilla Extract
• Lemon and Lime Slices: For garnish, adding a pop of color and a hint of extra citrus flavor.

Essential Equipment

• 9-Inch Pie Pan: A standard 9-inch pie pan is perfect for this recipe.
• Medium Bowl: For mixing the crust ingredients.
• Whisk: For combining the filling ingredients.
• Food Processor (Optional): For crushing the saltine crackers. You can also crush them by hand in a resealable plastic bag.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 6 oz. saltine crackers
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

For the Filling:

• 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice

For Serving:

• 2 cups whipped cream or whipped topping
• Lemon and lime slices

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Make the Crust:

• Coarsely crush the saltine crackers. You should have about 2 1/4 cups of crumbs. You can use a food processor or crush them by hand in a resealable plastic bag.
• Combine the crushed crackers, softened butter, and sugar in a medium bowl.
• Stir until well combined and the crumbs hold together when pressed with your fingers.
• Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan.
• Freeze the crust for 10 minutes to help it set.

3. Bake the Crust:

• Bake the crust on the middle rack of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Set the crust aside to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.

4. Make the Filling:

• Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, lemon juice, and lime juice in a medium bowl until smooth.

5. Pour and Bake:

• Pour the filling into the baked, slightly cooled crust.
• Return the pie to the oven and bake until the center of the filling is just set, about 15 minutes.

6. Cool and Chill:

• Cool the pie on a wire rack at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Then, refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

7. Top and Serve:

• Just before serving, top the pie with whipped cream (or whipped topping) and garnish with lemon and lime slices.

Troubleshooting

• Crust is Too Crumbly: If the crust mixture doesn’t hold together, add a tablespoon of cold water, one at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Filling is Too Runny: Make sure to bake the pie until the center is just set. It should still be slightly jiggly, but not liquid.
• Crust is Soggy: Make sure to bake the crust long enough, until golden brown. You can also try blind baking the crust with pie weights before adding the filling, although this isn’t strictly necessary for this recipe.

Tips and Variations

• Use Fresh Citrus: Freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice are essential for the best flavor.
• Add Zest: For an extra burst of citrus flavor, add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest and 1 teaspoon of lime zest to the filling.
• Make it a Key Lime Pie: Substitute the lemon and lime juice with an equal amount of Key lime juice.
• Try a Different Cracker: Graham crackers or Ritz crackers can be used instead of saltines, for a slightly different flavor and texture.
• Add a Meringue Topping: Instead of whipped cream, you could top the pie with a fluffy meringue.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

• Serve Chilled: This pie is best served chilled, as the filling sets up more firmly.
• With a Glass of Iced Tea or Lemonade: A refreshing pairing for a summer dessert.
• After a Seafood Meal: The bright, citrusy flavors of the pie are a perfect complement to seafood.
• Brunch option:

Nutritional Information

Per Serving (assuming the pie is cut into 8 slices):

• Calories: Approximately 400-450
• Fat: 20-25g
• Saturated Fat: 12-15g
• Cholesterol: 100-120mg
• Sodium: 250-300mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 50-55g
• Dietary Fiber: 1-2g
• Sugars: 35-40g
• Protein: 6-8g

(Note: This is an estimated nutritional breakdown and may vary.)

Print

Recipe Summary and Q&A

Summary: This Atlantic Beach Pie recipe features a unique and delicious saltine cracker crust, a tangy citrus filling made with sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, lemon juice, and lime juice, and a topping of whipped cream. The process involves making the crust, baking it, making the filling, pouring it into the crust, baking again, cooling, and topping with whipped cream.

Q&A:

• Q: Can I use store-bought whipped topping?
  • A: Yes, you can, but homemade whipped cream is highly recommended for the best flavor and texture.
• Q: Can I make this pie ahead of time?
  • A: Yes! This pie is best made at least 2 hours in advance, or even the day before, to allow the filling to set completely.
• Q: Can I use a different type of cracker for the crust?
• A: Yes.
• Q:How long can I store this pie?
• A: 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Q: Can I freeze this pie?
  • A: I don’t recommend freezing this pie, as the texture of the filling may change upon thawing.