Key Lime Pie

I got this recipe from a "culinary mystery" novel written by Josi Kilpack. (See her book here . See all the recipes from this book here .)

KEY LIME PIE

4 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 tbsp. grated lime zest
1/2 tsp. salt
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 egg yolk
1/2 c. fresh lime juice (about 4 limes; if using key limes, use about 1/3 c. juice and add more to taste)
whipped cream (for garnish)
sliced limes (for garnish)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Using electric beaters, mix cream cheese, lime zest, and salt until creamy. Add sweetened condensed milk and mix until incorporated. Add egg yolk, mix until combined. Add lime juice and stir until well blended. Mixture will thicken slightly. Pour filling into your choice of prepared crust (a recipe for a crust using animal crackers is given in the book, see link for recipe above) and bake until set, about 20 - 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and slice limes.
Serves 8.

Note: Key lime pie is not naturally green. Most recipes call for a couple of drops of green food coloring to the mixture before pouring into crust.