New York had its hot dog eating contest to celebrate Independence Day. But the Florida Keys had a sweeter alternative on Tuesday.The Key Lime Pie Eating Championship in Key West, where Key lime pie originated, was won by Joshua Mogle, a 38-year-old Altoona, Iowa, tire manufacturing manager.Mogle plunged face-first into a 9-inch pie smothered with whipped cream during the challenge, whose rules forbid contestants to use their hands.The gooey competition has become a subtropical substitute to Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.Video above: Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest weigh-in ahead of Fourth of JulyMogle consumed the confection in three minutes and 35 seconds, besting 24 rivals in the culmination of Key West's five-day Key Lime Festival."Eat… eat… eat… always have pie in my mouth," said Mogle, when asked about the strategy he employed.Experts believe Key lime pie was developed in the late 1800s in Key West. Its primary ingredients are condensed milk, egg yolks and the juice of tiny yellow Key limes, typically with a graham cracker crust and whipped cream or meringue topping.In 2006, the tart, creamy dessert was designated Florida's official pie by the state legislature.The competition took place less than 24 hours after a Key lime pie measuring 13.14 feet (4 meters) in diameter, to be submitted for certification as the world's largest, was created for the Florida Keys' bicentennial celebration.July 3 marked the 200th anniversary of the Florida Territorial Legislature's establishment of Monroe County, containing the entire Keys island chain.

KEY WEST, Fla. —

New York had its hot dog eating contest to celebrate Independence Day. But the Florida Keys had a sweeter alternative on Tuesday.

The Key Lime Pie Eating Championship in Key West, where Key lime pie originated, was won by Joshua Mogle, a 38-year-old Altoona, Iowa, tire manufacturing manager.

Mogle plunged face-first into a 9-inch pie smothered with whipped cream during the challenge, whose rules forbid contestants to use their hands.

The gooey competition has become a subtropical substitute to Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.

Video above: Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest weigh-in ahead of Fourth of July

Rob O'Neal

Mogle consumed the confection in three minutes and 35 seconds, besting 24 rivals in the culmination of Key West's five-day Key Lime Festival.

"Eat… eat… eat… always have pie in my mouth," said Mogle, when asked about the strategy he employed.

Experts believe Key lime pie was developed in the late 1800s in Key West. Its primary ingredients are condensed milk, egg yolks and the juice of tiny yellow Key limes, typically with a graham cracker crust and whipped cream or meringue topping.

Rob O'Neal

In 2006, the tart, creamy dessert was designated Florida's official pie by the state legislature.

The competition took place less than 24 hours after a Key lime pie measuring 13.14 feet (4 meters) in diameter, to be submitted for certification as the world's largest, was created for the Florida Keys' bicentennial celebration.

July 3 marked the 200th anniversary of the Florida Territorial Legislature's establishment of Monroe County, containing the entire Keys island chain.

Pumpkin pie is no longer America's favorite Thanksgiving pie. Google Trends data reveals that key lime pie is the most popular type of pie in the U.S. with it being the most Googled pie in eight different states.The study conducted by photographic and printing experts Printique discovered the most favored flavors of pies in each state across America with key lime pie taking the top spot. Key lime pie has 106,000 average monthly Google searches in the U.S. The second-most-popular type of pie, being Googled the most in a total of eight states is pumpkin pie.Lemon meringue pie was the third-most-popular type of pie with seven states Googling it.The least popular types of pies were salted caramel, gooseberry, blueberry and peach, all being the most popular in only one state each. Commenting on the study, a spokesperson from Printique said: “Pies are a staple of Thanksgiving culture and this study gives a fascinating insight into which types of pies each state will enjoy during this festive period. Searches for 'Pie Recipe' have skyrocketed 300% in the last month, highlighting the excitement around the cuisine of this Thanksgiving period.”

Pumpkin pie is no longer America's favorite Thanksgiving pie.

Google Trends data reveals that key lime pie is the most popular type of pie in the U.S. with it being the most Googled pie in eight different states.

The study conducted by photographic and printing experts Printique discovered the most favored flavors of pies in each state across America with key lime pie taking the top spot.

Key lime pie has 106,000 average monthly Google searches in the U.S.

The second-most-popular type of pie, being Googled the most in a total of eight states is pumpkin pie.

Lemon meringue pie was the third-most-popular type of pie with seven states Googling it.

The least popular types of pies were salted caramel, gooseberry, blueberry and peach, all being the most popular in only one state each.

Google

Commenting on the study, a spokesperson from Printique said:

“Pies are a staple of Thanksgiving culture and this study gives a fascinating insight into which types of pies each state will enjoy during this festive period. Searches for 'Pie Recipe' have skyrocketed 300% in the last month, highlighting the excitement around the cuisine of this Thanksgiving period.”