This mix of refreshing lemon and spicy ginger snaps in the form of a frosty, zesty pie is perfect for spring parties. The ginger snap crust is ridiculously easy. Consider topping the pie’s creamy citrus with a sweet dash of raspberry sauce.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 8 to 10 servings

　　

For crust

1 1/2 cups finely crushed ginger snaps (6 ounces)

　　5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

　　2 tablespoons sugar

　　

For ice cream

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

　　1 cup whole milk

　　3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

　　4 teaspoons finely grated fresh lemon zest

　　1/8 teaspoon salt

　　6 large egg yolks

　　2/3 cup fresh lemon juice

　　Lemon slices, for garnish

　　Special equipment: 10-inch ceramic pie plate; ice-cream maker

　　

Make crust

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

　　

Step 2

Toss together the cookie crumbs, butter, and sugar with a fork until crumbs are moistened. Press evenly onto bottom and up the side of a 10-inch glass or ceramic pie plate. Bake the crust in the middle of the oven 7 minutes, then cool on a rack.

　　

Make ice cream

Step 3

Bring the cream, milk, sugar, zest, and salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Whisk the yolks in a bowl until blended, then add the hot cream mixture in a slow stream, whisking. Transfer the custard back to the saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thick enough to coat back of a spoon and mixture registers 175° to 180°F on an instant-read thermometer, 3 to 5 minutes (do not let boil). Immediately pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, then stir in the lemon juice.

　　

Step 4

Cool the custard to room temperature, stirring occasionally, then chill, its surface covered with a round of wax paper, until cold, about 3 hours. Freeze the custard in an ice cream maker, following manufacturer’s directions.

　　

Step 5

Spread the ice cream evenly in the crust and wrap the pie plate in wax or parchment paper, then in plastic wrap. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.

　　

Step 6

About 20 minutes before serving, put the pie in the refrigerator to soften.

　　

Do ahead

Step 7

The ICE CREAM can be made 2 days ahead of assembling pie. Soften in refrigerator about 30 minutes before spreading in crust. Assembled pie can be frozen up to 3 days.

　　The Epicurious Cookbook