Atlantic Beach Pie Recipe | Orange Lemon Lime Dessert
Home » COOK » Recipes » Baking » Pies »Welcome a wave of delightful citrus flavors with this Atlantic Beach Pie recipe, the perfect dessert to round off any meal.
With its delectable sweet-tart balance, this seaside-inspired treat truly encapsulates the refreshing allure of a beachside vacation.
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While you may prefer to skip to the recipe card, we suggest reading the entire blog post to avoid missing valuable tips and substitution suggestions and to ensure you have the necessary ingredients, equipment, and understanding of the steps and timings.
Atlantic Beach Pie
Atlantic Beach Pie is a traditional dessert that originated on the North Carolina coast, notably in the town of Atlantic Beach.
It is a simple but delicious pie that consists of a few basic ingredients and has become a beloved Southern treat.
The pie’s filling is typically made from a mixture of condensed milk, egg yolks, and fresh lemon juice. This combination creates a creamy, tangy, custard-like filling with a bright citrus flavor.
Some variations may include lemon zest to enhance the lemony taste—our Atlantic Beach Pie recipe includes orange juice for more citrusy flavors.
The pie crust is usually made with simple ingredients like crushed saltine crackers (such as Ritz), which add a salty and crunchy contrast to the sweet and zesty filling.
A traditional pie crust or graham cracker crust may be used instead if desired, but the salty cracker crust sets it apart.
Once the filling is poured into the crust, the pie is baked until the filling sets and the crust becomes golden and crisp.
After cooling, it is typically served chilled or at room temperature, sometimes with whipped cream on top.
Think of it like a combination of lemon meringue pie and key lime pie.
If you love lemon desserts, try our tangy Lemon Bars, Mini Lemon Bundt Cakes, Lemon Curd Cake, or our Delicious and Easy Lemon Hand Pies.
What Can I Serve With Atlantic Beach Pie?
- Grilled Chipotle Lime Shrimp Skewers: The citrus flavors of the pie complement the seafood beautifully.
- Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs: The tanginess of the pie offsets the smoky barbecue flavor.
- Grilled Summer Vegetables: A healthy, colorful side that pairs well with the pie.
- Seafood Platter: One of the best dishes to serve with Bill Smith’s Atlantic Beach Pie.
Ingredients & Equipment Used In This Recipe
The ingredients and tools in this recipe are conveniently linked to online retailers like Amazon or Amazon Fresh.
Ingredients Needed For Atlantic Beach Pie
- Fresh Produce – Lemons, Oranges, Limes
- Chilled & Dairy – Unsalted Butter, Eggs, Heavy Whipping Cream (Double/Whipping Cream)
- Ritz Crackers – These salty crackers provide the classic base for this pie.
- White Granulated Sugar
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Vanilla Extract
- Powdered Sugar – also known as Icing Sugar or Confectioners Sugar.
- Kosher Salt – simply coarse sea salt such as Maldon in the UK.
The complete list of ingredients with measurements is on the recipe card at the end of this post.
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Equipment Needed For This Recipe
- Food Processor or Blender – for crushing the crackers. Or place the crackers into a plastic food bag and smash them with a rolling pin.
- 9-Inch (23cm) Pie Plate/Dish
- Sharp Knife
- Chopping/Cutting Board
- Citrus Juicer
- Whisk
- Mixing Bowls
- Rubber/Silicone Spatula – or you could use a Wooden Spoon.
- Aluminum Foil
- Large Piping Bag with Large Star Tip – such as a Wilton #1M
- Zester
The Purple Pumpkin Blog uses both cups and weighted measurements in its recipes, making American cups and kitchen food scales valuable tools for trying all the recipes. We provide US customary, imperial, and metric measurements. Still, it’s important to note that while you can combine cup measurements with weighted measures, never mix US customary/imperial (pounds, ounces, pints, etc.) with metric (kilograms, grams, liters, etc.).
Reasons You’ll Love Atlantic Beach Pie
- An invigorating balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
- Unique Ritz cracker crust for a salty twist.
- Creamy, citrusy filling that’s refreshingly light.
Dinner Party Menu Suggestions
You’ve made the dessert, but what about the rest of the courses?
Here are additional recipes to create a menu for a dinner party or special meal:
- Appetizer: Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
- Soup: New England Clam Chowder
- Salad: Calamari Salad
- Main Dish: Grilled Balsamic Marinated Sirloin Steak
- Side Dish: Grilled Corn on the Cob with Herb & Parmesan Butter
- Cocktail: Classic Mojito
How Do I Make Atlantic Beach Pie?
The printable recipe card with the ingredients list and instructions can be found at the end of this post.
Number of Servings: 6-8
Prep Time: 35 minutes | Cook Time: 65 minutes | Chilling Time: 12 hours | Total Time: 13 hours 40 minutes
Step 1 – Preheat: Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C/Gas 4.
Step 2 – Make Pie Base: Finely crush the Ritz crackers using your hands or a food processor. Be mindful not to crush them to dust.
Transfer the crushed crackers to a bowl. Add sugar and softened butter and mix together to hold together like a dough.
Step 3 – Cook Pie Crust: Press the cracker dough into a 9-inch pie plate/dish.
Place it into the refrigerator for 10 minutes before baking in the oven for 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
Remove the crust from the oven and leave it to cool.
Step 4 – Make Pie Filling: Place the egg yolks, condensed milk, lemon, and orange zest into a large bowl and whisk together.
Slowly whisk in the juice until fully combined.
Step 5 – Bake Pie: Pour the filling into the cooled crust and bake for 25-35 minutes.
Once the edges of the pie are set and the center slightly jiggles, remove and place onto the counter to cool for 30 minutes.
Step 6 – Chill Pie: Cover the pie with foil and place it into the fridge overnight or for at least 12 hours.
Step 7 – Chill Mixing Bowl: Place a large bowl into the freezer for 30 minutes before making the pie topping.
Step 8 – Make Pie Topping: Place the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla into the chilled mixing bowl and use an electric handheld or standing mixer to beat until stiff peaks form.
Scoop 2 cups of the whipped cream into a piping bag with a large star tip and set it aside.
Step 9 – Decorate Pie: Evenly spread out the remaining topping onto the pie.
Pipe swirls of cream around the edge of the pie and insert slices of lemon and lime in between them.
Sprinkle lemon, lime, and orange zest over the top of the pie. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Who Invented Atlantic Beach Pie?
The exact origin of Atlantic Beach Pie is unclear, but it is believed to have been created in the 1950s or 1960s in North Carolina.
It gained popularity as a regional dessert and has since become a favorite among locals and visitors to the area, especially at seafood restaurants.
The pie’s creation is often attributed to Bill Smith, a Crook’s Corner restaurant chef in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Bill’s little backstory explains that growing up in the 1950s, he believed that you would die if you ate dessert after a seafood dinner!
But for some reason, the one exception to this rule was lemon pie, so all of the restaurants in the beach towns along our coast had that on the menu.
The pies often had a salty saltine crust; you never found this dessert anywhere else. He loved this pie but then forgot about it for 40 years.
According to Southern Living, Chef Bill Smith cobbled together a recipe for the pie using some old church and community cookbooks for a local event in 2012.
As with many recipes and culinary creations, the true origins can sometimes be challenging to trace definitively, and various versions and stories may exist.
Nevertheless, Bill Smith’s role in bringing Atlantic Beach Pie to a wider audience and making it a beloved dessert cannot be denied.
Due to its simplicity and delightful flavors, Atlantic Beach Pie has garnered attention beyond its place of origin and has become a popular dessert in various parts of the United States, particularly in the Southern states.
It offers a taste of the beach and sunshine, making it a refreshing treat, especially during the warmer months.
More Recipes Using Citrus
One of the hero ingredients in this recipe is citrus, so here are some more using the same:
Recipe Tips
- Ensure the crust is well-pressed into the pie dish for best results.
- Chill the pie thoroughly for a firmer filling.
- Don’t overwhip the topping; it should form stiff peaks.
Storing Leftovers & Freezing
- Storing Leftovers:
- Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing Instructions:
- This pie is not suitable for freezing.
- With all leftovers, ensure the food looks and smells okay before consuming.
- You can always consult the Food Standards Agency in your country for the most up-to-date advice on storing and freezing foods: Food Standards Agency (UK) | Food Safety (USA).
Printable Atlantic Beach Pie Recipe Card
Below is the printable recipe card. To save ink, any demonstration photos on the recipe card are not printed out.
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Atlantic Beach Pie
Discover a sweet and salty harmony with our Atlantic Beach Pie Recipe! A unique blend of tangy citrus and sweet cream in a salty crust, it's the dessert your summer parties need.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 4 cups Ritz crackers
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
For the Filling
- 14-oz (400g) sweetened, condensed milk
- 4 egg yolks room temperature
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Topping
- 4 cups heavy whipping cream (double cream)
- ¾ cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- Lemon and lime slices
- Orange, Lemon, and lime zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C/Gas 4.
- Finely crush the Ritz crackers using your hands or a food processor. Be mindful not to crush them to dust. Transfer the crushed crackers to a bowl. Add sugar and softened butter and mix together to hold together like a dough.
- Press the crust mixture into a 9-inch pie dish. Place it into the refrigerator for 10 minutes before baking in the oven for 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Remove the crust from the oven and leave it to cool.
- Place the egg yolks, condensed milk, lemon, and orange zest into a large bowl and whisk together. Slowly whisk in the juice until fully combined.
- Pour the filling into the cooled crust and bake for 25-35 minutes. Once the edges of the pie are set and the center slightly jiggles, remove and place onto the counter to cool for 30 minutes.
- Cover the pie with foil and place into the fridge overnight or for at least 12 hours.
- Place a large bowl into the freezer for 30 minutes before making the pie topping.
- Place the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla into the chilled mixing bowl and use an electric handheld or standing mixer to beat until stiff peaks form.
- Scoop 2 cups of the whipped cream into a piping bag with a large star tip and set it aside.
- Evenly spread out the remaining topping onto the pie. Pipe swirls of cream around the edge of the pie and insert slices of lemon and lime in between them. Sprinkle lemon, lime, and orange zest over the pie. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1117Total Fat: 83gSaturated Fat: 48gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 30gCholesterol: 310mgSodium: 483mgCarbohydrates: 85gFiber: 2gSugar: 61gProtein: 13g
This site uses Nutritionix to provide estimated nutrition. Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
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FAQs About Pies
Here are some questions people often ask about making pies.
Click the question to read the answer. If you have one of your own, please comment on this post!
Yes, you can use saltine crackers as a substitute for Ritz crackers in a pie crust. However, remember that the pie crust’s flavor and texture may differ slightly since Ritz crackers have a buttery taste and a different texture compared to saltine crackers. If possible, you might want to consider crushing the saltine crackers finely to get a texture closer to that of Ritz crackers.
In the UK, the equivalent of saltine crackers is often called “water biscuits” or simply “crackers.” The closest match to saltine crackers in the UK would be plain water biscuits, which are light and mildly salted crackers typically served with cheese or used as a base for various toppings. Ritz Crackers are available in the UK, so you can use them in this recipe’s pie crust.
The popularity of pies can vary depending on region and personal preferences, but some of the most popular pies, in general, include:
Apple Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Cherry Pie
Key Lime Pie
Lemon Meringue Pie
Blueberry Pie
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Chocolate Cream Pie
Coconut Cream Pie
Pies come in various types, and some popular categories include:
Fruit pies: Such as apple, cherry, blueberry, etc.
Cream pies: Like banana cream, chocolate cream, or coconut cream pie.
Custard pies: Such as pumpkin, sweet potato, or lemon meringue pie.
Nut pies: Like pecan pie or walnut pie.
Meat pies: Such as chicken pot pie, shepherd’s pie, or steak and kidney pie.
Savory pies: Like quiches or cheese and onion pie.
Ice cream pies: Often made with an ice cream or gelato filling.
Chiffon pies: They have a light and airy texture, thanks to the addition of whipped egg whites or whipped cream to the filling, which is set with gelatine or cornstarch.
Tarts: Although not always considered traditional pies, tarts are a type of pastry with shallow sides and can have various fillings.
March 14th is Pi Day because the date, 3/14, represents the first three digits of the mathematical constant π (pi). Pi is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter and is approximately equal to 3.14159. Pi Day is often celebrated by mathematics enthusiasts and educators worldwide, with activities, contests, and discussions centered around the significance of π in mathematics and its various applications. It has nothing to do with eating pies – but people often make them anyway!
Yes, there is National Pie Day. It falls on January 23rd each year. National Pie Day celebrates pies in all their delicious forms, whether sweet or savory. It’s a day to enjoy and appreciate the culinary delight that pies bring to our lives. National Pie Day is also celebrated with pie-related activities, baking contests, and indulging in various pie flavors.