Lemon Ice Box Pie with Blueberries

It may not feel like it to some of you, and especially not to me (as I sit in a massive heatwave for the past week and a half, sweltering in triple digit, record breaking temps) but summer is almost over (thank God). School is in full swing and its Labor Day weekend! The unofficial final summer bash. Barbecues, picnics, pool parties and dashes to the beaches are all in order. None of which are without food. And none of which should be without dessert.

Lemon Ice Box pie is the perfect summer dessert. My grandmother in Alabama used to make it, I have always loved it, and therefore it's very southern my mind. If you haven't tried, give yourself a treat. It's quick, easy and so refreshing. 

And....there's no baking required. As in....no turning on the oven!! Not even for a minute.

Oh...but I added a little twist to the original recipe. You see, I happen to have a thing for lemons and blueberries. It's like a match made in heaven. Tart, tangy, sweet, zingy, bright and refreshing all at the same time. 

Besides.....how many of you have that extra can of sweetened condensed milk sitting in your cupboard? You know the one I'm talking about.....it's left over from the holidays, and every time you search your cupboard for a can of something....it gets shuffled around from one spot to the next.

Guess what.....that can has a destiny....and your need of a last minute dessert for that fabulous pool party you've been invited to tomorrow, requires that can. 

Let me take a wild guess....that can is probably Eagle Brand. Am I right? I know there are other brands out there...but when I'm looking for sweetened condensed milk during the holidays, its that label that my eyes are searching for. It's iconic. Almost legendary in its own right. 

Sooo....grab that can and let's get this party started!

This will make two pies if using the store bought graham cracker crust pie shells, or you can make one big huge mega deep dish pie like I did. Or, you can get out a 13x9 casserole dish and make it that way. Here's the recipe for the graham cracker crust if needed:

3 cups finely ground graham crackers

2/3 cup sugar

12 tablespoons melted butter

Mix the graham cracker crumbs and the sugar, then stir in the melted butter. Press into 2 - 8 or 9" pie pans. Chill it in the fridge for about an hour or so. 

   

Now for the main attraction!

Lemon Ice Box Pie with Blueberries

1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk

12 oz Frozen Cool Whip, slightly thawed

6 oz  frozen lemonade concentrate
8 oz Blueberry jam or preserves (or more if desired)
Fresh blueberries to garnish
Fresh lemon zest to garnish
2 graham cracker crust pie shells

Combine the sweetened condensed milk, cool whip and lemonade concentrate until smooth. Set aside.

Spread the jam evenly along the bottom of the graham cracker crust pie shells. Divide the lemonade mixture and pour into each pie. Refrigerate until set. Garnish with fresh blueberries and lemon zest and enjoy!