I am a dessert fanatic and this is why I couldn’t resist making this Calamansi Lime Pie. I would forego the meal if I could and go straight to dessert, no side dishes. There I’ve said it. Full disclosure. I would fill up this blog with just desserts if I could. But that wouldn’t be right, would it? We cannot just eat desserts all day. Yet, it would be honestly me. But let me tell you why I chose to share this delectable cloud-like concoction with you today.
One of my most favorite ingredients to add whether cooking or baking is calamansi. This is the Filipino lime. We had trees growing in our yard back in the day. I have a photo of it here on this post. These calamansi pieces were from a family lunch my sister hosted for us when I went to the Philippines last year, on a home visit. My sister had sliced a plateful of these adorable little citrus fruit and put it alongside a pancit noodle dish as a flavor enhancer to the dish. Like most citrus, the calamansi is versatile and used in both cooking and baking.
Calamansi, the Philippine lime are small round citrus fruits, with a green or yellow outer skin, measuring about quarter of an inch in diameter. They have the tart flavors of a mandarin orange, but are sour as much as they’re sweet. The calamansi also has a piercing sweet citrus scent.
The calamansi (sometimes also spelled ‘kalamansi’) is abundant in tropical Philippines. It can also thrive in the warmer states of the USA. But here in the east coast, it is easier to obtain and more affordable for me to use the frozen “calamansi” concentrate, found in Asian markets.
It took very little time to make this pie. It actually took longer to wait for it to set firmly. The only thing I had to pre-bake was the crumb crust. What was marvelous was that I had leftover calamansi sables baked from another day. I crushed these fragrant lime-scented cookies, pounded them well and poured sugar and butter. As I pressed the crumbs to the edge of the glass pie plate, I knew this was going to be a luscious lime-like pie. Calamansi on calamansi. How can you top that ?
Once the crumb crust was ready and had cooled, I poured the creamy white pie filling on it. A clean sweep of the spatula all over the top was all that was needed to smoothen the filling. The pie jiggled slightly as I carried it to the refrigerator to cool. I covered and let the calamansi pie refrigerate for a few hours.
After dinner, we sliced the pie and each pristine white wedge was simply sublime. The creamy citrus filling was soft, smooth and firm. One bite after another gave off a tart lime sweetness that went well with the lemon-buttery crumb crust. It was heavenly!
Calamansi Lime Pie
Equipment
- Pie plate: 9-inch diameter
Ingredients
- 1 cup crumbled calamansi sables for crust
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs for crust graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup Kerrygold unsalted butter melted butter
- 1 can (14 oz.) condensed milk 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup calamansi juice fresh or frozen concentrate
- 1 1/2 cups whipped cream for filling
- 1/4 cup whipped cream for garnish
- 2 Tablespoons (or 1 envelope packet) Knox unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 cup water for diluting Knox unflavored gelatin
Instructions
- To make the crumb crust : Combine the calamansi sables and graham cracker cookie crumbs, sugar and melted butter in a bowl. Blend well. Place the crumb crust mixture on a 9-inch pie plate and press well to the bottom and sides with a fork. Chill this pie plate for about 10 minutes to firm up. Preheat the oven at 350 F degrees. Bake the crust for about 12 minutes. Take the pie plate out of the oven. Cool on the counter while preparing the filling.
- To make the filling : Dilute the unflavored gelatin powder in 1/2 cup water. Set aside for 5 minutes. Heat the gelatin and water over low heat for 3 minutes until liquid clears and gelatin dissolves. Stir the mixture. Set aside.
- Separately, beat the whipping cream with a mixer at medium speed for 5 minutes. Gradually add the condensed milk, calamansi (or lemon juice), diluted gelatin mixture and beat till it blends (about 2 minutes) or till partially set.
- To assemble: Pour the calamansi pie filling over the crumb crust. Smooth the top with a spatula. Cover and refrigerate till set for about 6 hours. Garnish with whipped cream on top if desired.
- Cook’s comments : The closest in flavor to calamansi are Meyer lemons. You can substitute with Meyer lemons if calamansi are not available. If you are using juice from freshly squeezed calamansi, measure the same amount indicated in the recipe above. For the recipe of Calamansi Sables, see previous blog post. If you do not have calamansi sables on hand, use regular graham cracker crumbs for the entire recipe.
- For more Let’s Lunch pie recipes, including some very creative takes, follow #LetsLunch on Twitter or visit some of my blogging buddies:Annabelle‘s Chocolate Pie at Glass of FancyAnne Marie‘s Apple Pie Sandwiches at Sandwich SurpriseBetty Ann‘s Calamansi Pie at Asian In AmericaCheryl‘s Mexican Cottage Pie at A Tiger in the KitchenJill‘s Guava and Cream Cheese Empanadas at Eating My WordsLisa‘s Sweet Ricotta Noodle Pie at Monday Morning Cooking ClubLisa K‘s Chocolate Pie at Open Salon
- Hello, Friends! All the images and content here are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED and owned by my media company Besa-Quirino LLC. This means BY LAW you are NOT allowed to use my photos or content on your website without my permission. If you want to republish this recipe or content, please ask my permission, re-write it in your own words and simply link back to this blog to give proper attribution. It’s the legal thing to do. Thank you.
Nutrition
Nutrition Notes: The nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Just the mention of calamansi juice brings me back to my girlhood in Singapore — nothing’s better on a sweltering day than a tall glass of iced calamansi juice! I’ve not thought of putting it in pie though. Now I’ve gotta try. Welcome to Let’s Lunch!
Thanks, Cheryl. Glad to find another kindred soul who loves calamansi and understands how the flavor is hard to resist. Thanks for the kind words, the sweet support and the warm welcome to #LetsLunch. I may just stay for a long time “lunching” with all of you 🙂
That lime is a new one on me. I learn so much from all the wonderful blogs I read.
Pie looks fanastic!!
Thanks, Margaret. I’m always glad to share my Filipino culture and recipes with everyone. Glad you like this calamansi pie .
I love limes but have not had this type before. Delicious dessert!
Thanks, Jersey Girl. This Calamansi Pie is amazing and I hope to share it with you some day 🙂
Your pie sounds so refreshing and delicious!
Thanks, Rebecca! So nice of you to like my calamansi pie!
Oh my, you really CAN’T top that pie. Looks so light and creamy. I’ve never heard of Calamansi limes. So much to explore in the culinary world!
Thanks, Cookievore. I’m so glad I am convincing many of you to try out calamansi – it’s a wonderful flavor enhancer! So nice of you to visit the blog 🙂
I did not know about calamansi, but will certainly look for them now. Welcome to #LetsLunch! Wonderful post!
Thanks, Lucy. So nice of you to welcome me to #LetsLunch. You must try calamansi – it adds a wonderful flavor to cooking and baking. Glad to meet you via this nice group 🙂
I must go find some calamansi now! Welcome to Let’s Lunch!
Thanks, Grace! I definitely urge you to run to the Asian markets to get some calamansi soon. It’s so versatile for cooking and baking, esp. this Calamansi Pie. Thanks for the kind mention and warm welcome to #LetsLunch!
Hi Betty Ann,
I love all limes, but calamansi are my favorite. I enjoyed them a lot the year I lived in Singapore, and agree that they add a perfect touch to savory dishes, too. I wish I could grow some here. Welcome to LetsLunch!
Thanks, Linda. I am honored by your kind words and so glad you like calamansi as much as I do. I enjoyed Singapore when I visited and I understand how you must have enjoyed all the food over there. Thanks for the welcome to #LetsLunch!
This is a great idea, a Filipino style lime pie 🙂
Thanks, Raymund. Ang sarap talaga with calamansi !
This pie sounds amazing and totally Filipino flavor! 😀 One day I want to taste calamansi!
Thanks, Nami. You must try calamansi. I had Japanese friends in Manila and they liked the sour-tangy but sweet flavors of this citrus. Wish I could share a slice of this pie with you. Glad you came to the blog today 🙂