On Monday July 3, 2023, along the Gulf of Mexico coast, the Florida Keys commemorated its bicentennial in the standard “go big or go home” fashion you’d expect from the Conch Republic. What better way to celebrate than with a ginormous Key lime pie and a shiny new world record? Organizers commissioned a monumental Key lime pie measuring over 13-feet in diameter, aiming to establish it as a certified world record.
The event marks the 200th anniversary of Monroe County’s official establishment by the Florida Territorial Legislature on July 3, 1823 (Which encompasses the entire chain of the Florida Keys and a portion of Everglades National Park) It also serves as a celebration of the region’s rich history.
Key West is the birthplace of Key lime pie, (and yours truly). The desert holds a significant place in the hearts, heritage, and tummies of those from the southernmost islands.
It’s said to have originated within the walls of Key West’s Curry Mansion, by a cook known as ‘Aunt Sally’. She made the first real Key lime pie for Florida’s first millionaire, William Curry, back in the late 1800s.
While many have tried debating this, in 2006, the Florida Legislature went ahead and designated Key lime pie as the “Official Pie of Florida” so that settles that.
The rich history of the Florida Keys doesn’t start and end with this decadent pie.
Some historic tidbits from the Florida Keys…
During the Civil War, Key West was under Union control, serving as a strategic base for the naval blockade of Confederate shipping.
In the early 1900s, Henry Flagler, a prominent Standard Oil millionaire, led the construction of the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad, hailed as the eighth wonder of the world.
The Little White House
President Harry Truman governed the United States for 6 months of his presidency from his Key West residence known as the “Little White House,” which now stands as Florida’s sole presidential museum.
The massive bicentennial rendition of this luscious dessert was crafted by local chefs…
It featured a classic graham-cracker crust, a velvety filling infused with the juice of thousands of Key limes, and a dollop of whipped cream, paying homage to the beloved flavors that have become synonymous with the Florida Keys. A little tart, a little sweet, all around unique.
World’s Biggest Key Lime Pie Recipe:
- 125lbs of graham crackers
- 100 gallons of sweetened condensed milk
- Just over 16 gallons of key lime juice
According to Curry Mansion Inn in Key West, Fl. this was Aunt Sally’s recipe for Key Lime Pie:
Aunt Sally’s Original Key Lime Pie
Ingredients:
4 eggs, separated
½ cup Key Lime Juice
14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup sugar
¼ teaspoon Cream of Tartar
18-inch Graham Cracker Crust
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F . Beat egg yolks until light and thick. Blend in Key lime juice, then sweetened condensed milk, stirring until mixture thickens. Pour mixture into the pie shell.
Topping: Beat the egg whites with cream of tartar until stiff. Gradually add the sugar, beating until glossy peaks form. Spread egg whites over the surface of the pie to the edge of the crust. Bake in a 350°F oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Chill before serving.
