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Key lime pie has been a favorite dessert of Americans for multiple decades and is available in most bakeries. Made with key lime juice, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk, this pie is undeniably delicious. If you've ever wondered when and where this tasty treat was first made, here is a brief history of key lime pies.

Origins of the Key Lime Pie

Key lime pie reportedly originated in Key West, Florida, in the late 1800s. Aunt Sally, the cook of William Curry, who was a ship salvager and Florida's first self-made millionaire, reportedly made the first key lime pie. Some historians believe she already knew how to make a lemon icebox pie, a pie that also consists of sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks. This time, however, she used local key limes rather than lemons.

bakery Florence, KYOther historians theorize that sponge fishermen around Key West invented this dessert. They used to stay at sea for a while and may have made the pie from the sugar, eggs, canned milk, and citrus fruit that they had on the boat.

Although key lime pie has reportedly been around since the 19th century, the recipe wasn't written down until the 1930s. Those living in the Florida Keys didn't have access to fresh milk, refrigeration, and ice before the 1930s and had to depend on canned condensed milk until then. This is when the desire for a dessert that didn't need these fresh ingredients arose.

In 2006, the Florida Legislature voted to name the key lime pie as the state's official pie. It's now sold in bakeries everywhere around the state. Biting into a slice of key lime pie you buy from a local bakery is especially refreshing on a hot day.

 

If you're craving key lime pie, stop by Emerson's Bakery in Florence, KY. This local bakery has been serving delicious desserts since 1970 and has a reputation for having the best tasting and most extensive selection of baked goods in the area. They specialize in handmade pies in a variety of different flavors, including cherry, key lime, and pecan, and they always use fresh ingredients. These bakers also offer a large variety of donuts, cookies, and pastries. For more information about their baked goods, call (859) 371-9228 today or visit their website to view their full menu.

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