Our Most Popular J. Kenji López-Alt Recipe of All Time

It’s only fitting that our most popular recipe from chef, cookbook author, and New York Times columnist, J. Kenji López-Alt is his four ingredient, 10-minute lime cracker pie. Part of our Genius recipe series, this convenient dessert is delicious, resourceful, and easily made in even the most bare-bones of kitchens.

More icebox cake than traditional pie, Kenji’s frozen dessert alternates layers of tangy, lime-flavored cream with salty Ritz crackers, creating an almost cake-like texture that is both rich and refreshing. With a clean, yet complex lime flavor at the front of every bite, this treat is like all of Kenji’s recipes: focused, intentional, and consistent.

The pie comes together in a few easy steps. Start by zesting and juicing some limes, then whisk the citrus into heavy cream and condensed milk until thickened. Next, pour a layer of the lime-dairy batter into a pie plate and top with a layer of Ritz crackers. Repeat this layering process until you’ve used all the batter and filled your pie plate—then, freeze the pie for at least two hours and enjoy at your earliest convenience.

Aside from its minimal prep time, this pie is a winner because it doesn’t require any special equipment: If you don’t have a whisk, combine the ingredients with a fork instead. If you’re without a zester, trim the skin off a lime with a knife and then slice it as thin as you can. No pie pan? Find any freezer-proof serving vessel with a bit of depth and rebrand it as the “new, trendy pie dish.”

Minimal equipment and only ten minutes of prep make this the ideal recipe for a celebratory occasion without any fuss or effort—exactly what you want at an impromptu dinner party or the last night of a long vacation. Think about it: Everyone’s tired of each other, the dread of returning to real life has set in, and you don’t want to cook a whole meal but still want to contribute. So, you make this four ingredient pie early on the last day. You pull it from the freezer after dinner, cut everyone a slice, and are showered in compliments over the bright, refreshing, absolutely delicious pie you seemingly pulled out of thin air. You’re the star of the trip and you come home happy.