A cookbook author is claiming that world-famous Key lime pie wasn't invented in its native island chain.
Pastry chef Stella Parks wrote in her book "BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts" that the Borden milk company invented the recipe in 1931.
But Key Westers on Tuesday argues that Key lime pie was a Keys staple before that, citing local newspaper articles from 1926.
David Sloan, author of "The Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook," said his research proves Key lime pie existed before 1931.
Sloan said the Keys' signature dessert was perfected in late 1800s Key West by a woman named Aunt Sally, who adapted sponge fishermen's custom of blending stale Cuban bread, sweetened condensed milk and Key lime juice.
"The people of the Keys believe the first Key lime pie was invented by sponge fishermen who went out in their rafts for several days and took supplies," Sloan said, according to a report by NBC6.
"We think that they took stale Cuban bread and moistened it up with sweetened condensed milk and then took wild bird eggs, squeezed some lime over it, let it sit in the sun and there you had the first Key lime pie."
Sloan is a primary organizer for the annual summer Key Lime Festival that features a July 4 Key lime pie eating contest.
In 2006, Florida's legislature voted Key lime pie as the state's official dessert. The celebration was staged in Key West.
A message seeking comment from Stella Parks wasn't immediately returned.