Family Circle All-Time Favorite Recipes by Editors of Family Circle (Doubleday)

Ingredients
Crust
3 cups graham cracker crumbs
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup butter, melted

Filling
1 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup water
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1-1/2 cups sugar
5 eggs, slightly beaten
2 teaspoons grated lime rind
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup heavy cream, chilled

Whipped cream for garnish (optional)
Lime slices for garnish (optional)

Instructions
Prepare crust:
Stir crumbs, sugar and melted butter in a medium-size bowl. Press over bottom and up sides of a 9-inch springform pan.

Prepare filling:
Combine lime juice and water in a small saucepan; sprinkle gelatin over top. Let stand 5 minutes to soften. Stir sugar, eggs and lime rind into pan. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until almost boiling, about 7 minutes or until instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees F.; do not boil. Remove from heat.

Beat butter and cream cheese in a large bowl until well mixed, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in lime mixture until well blended. Refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens enough to mound slightly when dropped from a spoon, about 45 minutes.

Beat chilled cream in a small chilled bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold into lime mixture. Pour into prepared crust. Cover; refrigerate until firm, 3 to 4 hours.

Run a thin knife around inside of pan to loosen sides; remove sides of pan. Garnish with whipped cream and lime slices if desired. Store in refrigerator.

Note: For authentic Key lime flavor, use Key limes, which are more aromatic and citrusy than the commonly available, larger Persian limes.

Yield: 16 servings

Per Serving: 474 calories, 7 g protein, 30 g fat, 47 g carbohydrate, 247 mg sodium, 144 mg cholesterol.