Key Lime Pie Fudge

.  So it's officially Spring, eh?  Doesn't quite seem like it around Omaha since it's been raining the entire week.  But hey, let's not be a Debbie Downer about it!

I know I'm a few days past due [the first official day of Spring was on March 20th, oops] but I feel obliged to ring in the new season anyway.  Don't you agree?  I think you will after you take a whopping bite out of this breath-of-fresh-air fudge.  Yep, I totally think that.

So I refer to these little bites as a breath-of-fresh-air because well, they are!  They're so citrusy and refreshing, I can't really think of a better phrase to describe them.  And the heavenly light-tasting key lime fudge is paired with a crunchy, buttery graham cracker crust.  Duh, it's called Key Lime Pie Fudge for a reason.  Right?  And what's a pie without a crust?  Not a pie, I tell ya.

The one thing I will note in regards to this goodie is that the consistency is not exactly fudge-like.  I would say it's more of a chewy, chewy caramel.  Yeah, that about says it.  But caramel- or fudge-like, I know we'll all agree on how absolutely deeelish these are.  And addicting.  Which is always a good thing.

Well I hope everyone is off to a good spring.  The weather does seem to be turning here, so let's just keep our fingers crossed for bright, sunny skies.  Happy Spring!  .

My Notes:

• Unfortunately, the grocery store I went to didn't have any Key Limes, so I had to use regular ol' limes.  However, I still loved them.  So if you have the same problem I did, you'll need about 3 limes and use the juice from them as well.

From Sugar & Cooking

Ingredients:

1/3 c. unsalted butter

1/4 c. sugar

1-1/4 c. graham cracker crumbs

3 c. or 4 (4 oz. each) bars quality white chocolate, finely chopped

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

1 tbsp. finely grated Key Lime zest (about 5 to 6 Key Limes)

1/4 c. Key Lime Juice

Directions:

1. Line 8x8-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper (leaving about a 2-inch overhang).  Butter sides and bottom of pan; set aside.
2. For crust, heat oven to 375°F.  In a medium bowl, melt butter in microwave.  Stir in sugar with fork, breaking up any lumps.  Add graham cracker crumbs and toss to mix well.  Spread evenly into pan and bake 4 to 5 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Let cool.
3. Meanwhile, for fudge, stir white chocolate and sweetened condensed milk in large saucepan over low heat until chocolate is melted and all lumps are gone.  Remove from heat and stir in lime zest and lime juice.  Spread mixture evenly into pan.  Cover and chill for 2 hours or overnight.  Lift fudge from pan using overhanging foil or parchment paper.  Cut into desired shapes.  

Yield: 64 (1-inch) servings