Guten Free, Low Carb, High Protein Key Lime Pie

Low carb, high protein, gluten-free key lime pie.

I have enjoyed a few too many key lime pies on my holidays in America and I absolutely love baking them. However, they are normally made with a biscuit base, cream and condensed milk. They are packed full of calories and can often leave you feeling bloated.

I decided to start experimenting with different recipes. I have managed to come up with the perfect combination of ingredients which makes the best key lime pie I have ever made.

This recipe gets rid of the biscuit all together. Instead I have used an almond base, which is much higher in protein and full of natural goodness! To see the health benefits of almonds see my Bettys review.

The key lime pie filling is mostly made out of mascarpone cheese…packed full of calcium and protein. This is particularly good for coeliacs, as the RDA of calcium doubles after being diagnosed. So you could look at this as simply helping towards a healthier body and stronger bones!

I shared this key lime pie with friends and family over the weekend, and they all loved it! This is a truly delicious desert,  definitely one I will keep making time and time again. Quick, easy and low carb! Perfect for summer!

Ingredients:

for the filling:

4 cups mascarpone cheese

1 cup icing sugar
Zest and juice of 4 limes

for the base:

5 tbsp. sweetener
3.5 cups crushed almonds
4 tbsp. butter

1)   Pre heat the oven to 180^oc (for a fan assisted oven)

2)   Melt the butter

3)   Mix the butter, almonds and sweetener together in a bowl until the mixture binds together like dough

4)   Put the mixture into your 10 inch pie dish and press down with your fingertips until the mixture is compact and even

5)   Place the dish in the oven for 10 minutes, if you have pie weights place these on top to prevent the base from expanding or from going soggy.

6)   Mix together the icing sugar, mascarpone and the zest and juice of 4 limes. 

7)   Place in the fridge to cool until ready for serving

8)   Take the base out of the oven and allow to cool. Once cooled place in the oven once again for 10 more minutes to ensure a crispy base.

9)   Just before serving add the key lime mixture onto the base. If you do his too far in advance you will risk making the base soggy. I've added some grated dark chocolate on top of mine just for looks!

It is so simple to make, healthy and packed full of flavour  so there is no excuse to skip pudding!

Give it a go, let me know what you think...and happy baking!