Zesty Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe: Tangy Tropical Dream

Summers call for a tangy, cool treat that melts on your tongue with a key lime cheesecake recipe that promises pure delight.

Creamy, zesty, and utterly irresistible, this dessert captures the essence of tropical bliss in every single bite.

The smooth cream cheese base paired with the bright, citrusy notes creates a harmonious dance of flavors that will transport you to a sunny beachside paradise.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that dances across your palate.

The buttery graham cracker crust provides a delightful crunch that complements the silky smooth filling.

With just a few simple ingredients and some kitchen magic, you’ll craft a showstopping dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15min

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15min

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 9

Key Lime Cheesecake Ingredient Breakdown

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a crispy, buttery foundation that adds delightful texture and classic sweet undertone to the dessert.
• Melted Butter: Binds the cracker crumbs together, creating a sturdy and deliciously rich base for the cheesecake layers.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a smooth, luxurious base with tangy richness that defines the cheesecake's signature flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds gentle sweetness and helps create a silky, perfectly smooth texture in the filling.
• Condensed Milk: Brings rich, sweet creaminess and helps stabilize the mousse-like consistency.
• Key Lime Juice: Delivers bright, zesty citrus punch that cuts through the richness and provides signature tropical flavor.
• Lime Zest: Intensifies the lime essence with aromatic oils and adds vibrant green flecks throughout the mixture.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances overall sweetness and helps balance the tartness of the lime.

• Whipped Cream: Provides a light, airy crown that adds extra indulgence and visual appeal to the dessert.
• Additional Lime Zest: Offers a fresh garnish that signals the dessert's key lime flavor and adds a pop of color.

Tools for Baking Key Lime Cheesecake

• Electric Mixer: Essential for beating cream cheese, powdered sugar, and creating smooth, creamy texture.
• Piping Bag: Perfect for layering and decorating the cheesecake mousse in jars.
• 8-ounce Canning Jars: Ideal for individual servings and easy storage.
• Grater: Needed to zest fresh limes for bright, citrusy flavor.
• Mixing Bowls: Crucial for combining ingredients and preparing the cheesecake mousse.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Spatula: Helps scrape down bowl sides and fold ingredients smoothly.

Key Lime Cheesecake Instructions Simplified

• Graham Cracker Base

Create a delightful foundation by crushing graham crackers into fine, sandy crumbs that will form the bottom layer of your cheesecake jars.

• Creamy Cheese Mixture

Blend cream cheese until silky smooth, incorporating sweet condensed milk and zesty key lime juice to create a luxurious, tangy filling that will make taste buds dance.

• Chill and Set

Allow the luscious mixture to rest in the refrigerator, letting the flavors meld and the texture become perfectly firm and dreamy.

• Layering Magic

Carefully layer the graham cracker crumbs and creamy key lime mixture into charming mason jars, creating beautiful stripes of texture and flavor.

• Refrigerator Rest

Let the jars chill thoroughly, allowing the dessert to set completely and develop its rich, creamy consistency.

• Finishing Touches

Top each jar with a delicate swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of fresh lime zest, transforming the dessert into a stunning culinary masterpiece.

• Serve and Delight

Present these individual key lime cheesecake jars as a show-stopping dessert that promises to impress and satisfy sweet cravings.

Key Lime Flavor Twists You Can Try

• Replace key lime juice with lemon, orange, or grapefruit zest for a vibrant flavor transformation that keeps the dessert exciting and fresh.
• Mix crushed gingersnap cookies or chocolate wafers into the graham cracker base for an unexpected crunch and deeper flavor profile.
• Splash in a tablespoon of rum, tequila, or coconut liqueur to the cheesecake mixture for an adult-friendly version that adds sophisticated complexity.
• Top with toasted coconut flakes, fresh berries, or candied lime peels to enhance visual appeal and add layers of complementary taste sensations.

Ways to Serve Key Lime Cheesecake

• Tropical Picnic Delight: Pack these jars in a cooler for a refreshing beach or park treat that'll wow your friends with minimal effort.
• Dinner Party Elegance: Present these individual desserts as a sophisticated end to a gourmet meal, creating an Instagram-worthy dessert display.
• Brunch Showstopper: Serve these key lime cheesecake jars alongside mimosas for a weekend brunch that feels like a mini celebration.
• Summer Potluck Star: Bring these portable desserts to gatherings where everyone will appreciate a cool, zesty sweet that travels perfectly.

Storage Tips for Creamy Cheesecake

• Fridge Storage Strategy: Keeps fresh for 3-5 days when sealed tightly in airtight containers, maintaining optimal texture and flavor integrity.
• Freezing Magic: Can freeze individual jars up to 2 months; wrap carefully with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and taste interference.
• Smart Serving Tips: Remove from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before enjoying to soften slightly and enhance creamy consistency and flavor depth.
• Temperature Zone: Always store between 35-40°F to guarantee food safety and prevent potential bacterial growth while maintaining delicate cheesecake mousse quality.

Velvety Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe

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• Total Time: 15min
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Creamy, tangy key lime cheesecake delivers classic Florida flavors with graham cracker crust and zesty lime filling. Chilled dessert promises sweet-tart refreshment perfect for summer gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 16 oz (454 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (240 ml) sweetened condensed milk
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) key lime juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime zest
• 1 ⅔ cups (200 g) graham cracker crumbs, finely crushed
• 8 tablespoons (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons (22 g) powdered sugar
• Whipped cream

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Pulverize graham crackers into fine, uniform crumbs using a food processor, creating a consistent base texture for the cheesecake jars.
2. Cream Cheese Blending: Whip cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until silky smooth, eliminating any potential lumps for a perfectly creamy consistency.
3. Sweetening and Mixing: Gradually blend powdered sugar into the cream cheese, creating a velvety, uniform mixture that forms the foundation of the dessert.
4. Moisture and Flavor Integration: Gently fold in condensed milk and freshly squeezed key lime juice, incorporating the citrusy tang and rich sweetness throughout the mixture.
5. Aromatic Enhancement: Sprinkle lime zest into the cheesecake mixture, gently folding to distribute the vibrant citrus essence evenly.
6. Chilling and Stabilizing: Refrigerate the mixture for 1-2 hours to firm up and develop a stable texture, making it easier to layer in the serving jars.
7. Layering Construction: In clean canning jars, create alternating layers of graham cracker crumbs and key lime cheesecake mousse, carefully piping the mixture to ensure smooth, even distribution.
8. Final Setting: Seal jars with lids and refrigerate for approximately 3 hours, allowing the dessert to set completely and flavors to meld.
9. Presentation Finale: Just before serving, adorn with delicate whipped cream swirls and a sprinkle of fresh lime zest, presenting a chilled, visually appealing and refreshing dessert.

Notes

• Crumb Consistency Matters: Ensure graham cracker crumbs are uniformly fine to create a solid, compact base that holds together perfectly.
• Cream Cheese Technique: Beat cream cheese until absolutely smooth, eliminating any lumps for a silky, luxurious cheesecake texture.
• Lime Zest Secret: Gently fold lime zest to distribute citrus essence evenly, preventing clumping and maximizing flavor throughout the dessert.
• Chilling is Crucial: Refrigerate for recommended time to allow flavors to meld and texture to set, ensuring the perfect creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 15min
• Category: Desserts
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg