Lazy Girl’s Lemon Pie

I was invited to a BBQ and was asked to bring something sweet. It was a busy week and I didn't have time for anything complicated. The weather here has been ridiculously hot and humid, so I didn't want to bring anything too heavy. I wanted to make something light and refreshing, like a lemon meringue pie, but didn't want to put in all the effort.

Then, I remembered a recipe I ran across last summer for Atlantic Beach Pie, but hadn't gotten around to trying yet. It was a lemon pie recipe that didn't require many ingredients or too much time in the kitchen. And most of the ingredients are items I usually have on hand in my pantry which was a bonus!

Atlantic Beach Pie is said to have originated in North Carolina and is a sweet and salty combination that's perfect for summer. It has a simple saltine cracker crust and and a tangy, lemony filling that requires no more effort than whisking the ingredients together.

At first, I thought the idea of using saltine crackers for a pie crust was odd, but the addition of sugar and butter cuts down on the saltiness of the crackers leaving just enough salt to play beautifully with the sweetness of the filling.

To make Atlantic Beach Pie, you crush saltines and mix them with butter and sugar, baking until golden brown. Then whisk sweetened condensed milk with lemon juice and eggs. Pour it into the saltine crust and bake for about 15 minutes and you're done!

I finished the pie off with fresh whipped cream and a sprinkling of sea salt. This was the perfect summer dessert.

Atlantic Beach Pie