Key West Cream Pie

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 key limes, juice and zest
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 6 ounces cream cheese (neufachatel is good.)
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup raspberry preserves
• 1/4 cup coarse chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• raspberries (optional) or strawberry, for garnish (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350*f (175*c). grease or spray with non-stick cooking spray an 8-inch cake pan and set aside.
• 2 in a small mixing bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
• 3 in a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar and beat until blended.
• 4 beat in the egg, lime zest, and juice.
• 5 alternately stir into the creamed mixture the flour mixture and buttermilk mixing well.
• 6 pour batter into prepared pan and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; allow cake to cool in pan for 5 minutes, turn cake out cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
• 7 for the raspberry cream, on medium speed of mixer, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar together, add milk, and vanilla; gently fold raspberry preserves and pecans into cream mixture.
• 8 for the chocolate ganache, melt chocolate, cream & butter in double boiler over boiling water until melted and smooth; add vanilla, and whisk to combine.
• 9 to assemble, when the sponge cake is completely cool, cut in half with a bread knife to form 2 equal layers; remove "top" and spread bottom of cake with the raspberry cream, replace top and pour chocolate ganache over top allowing it to drip down the sides of cake.
• 10 garnish with fresh raspberries and/or strawberries if desired.
• 11 please note: leftovers can be covered and stored in refrigerator.