8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup freshly squeezed (or bottled) lime juice, seeds removed

1+ teaspoon vanilla extract

9” graham cracker pie crust

Heavy cream, whipped

Grated lime, optional

Cream an 8oz package of real cream cheese with a 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk. Add a generous 1/3 cup fresh, seedless lime juice, and an overflowing teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whip all of the ingredients until smooth and silky . Pour into a 9-inch graham cracker pie shell. Cover and place in the fridge for 3 to 24 hours. Top with freshly whipped heavy cream and scatter grated lime as a garnish, or add thin slices of lime, just before serving.

Be sure to use only softened cream cheese to ensure a smooth finish and cream it well before adding the sweetened condensed milk.