Graham Cracker Crust Substitute

This blog isn't so much about the finished product, which turned out to be amazing key lime bars. It is more about the discovery to think outside the graham cracker crust.

I LOVE key lime pie. It is my absolute favorite. I wanted to make a key lime pie (with fresh key limes) that would take me back to the pies I have gotten in Florida.

I look in the pantry and see a box of graham crackers. Good, so now I just need the ingredients for the pie.
I bought my key limes, the cream cheese, and the sweetened condensed milk.

I get home super excited to make this pie. Take out the box of graham crackers and it has two little squares. Can you say UGH!!!!! I am sure most can relate. I start digging around what can I make a crust out of? Thought about just a basic pie crust. Nah not the same. I come across a box a girl scout cookies not the thin mints or caramel delights, but shortbread cookies. Tada instant light bulb. I take a sleeve and 1/2 crumbled it up and put in the food processor till it is almost fine.

 After that I added 3 tbls of brown sugar and 4 tbls of melted butter.

Since this was an experiment and I didn't know how this was going to work out I decided to make bars instead of a pie. I mixed the three ingredients together and pressed into my square baking dish. I then baked this experimental crust for about 20 minutes at 325.

I am a genius or at least that is what I shouted. The crust was a success. I do not have a picture of the final bars, but this crust is soooo much better than a graham cracker. I am all ready thinking of other ways to improve like maybe chop up some macadamia nuts or what other kind of cookie crust can I make. Maybe I am sheltered and this was a known idea, but I truly amazed myself.

Hope this gives you some ideas and have fun!!!!!!