No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe

This easy to make, No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake recipe is the perfect dessert to serve at your next holiday gathering. With the combination of rich, tangy and creamy flavors it is the perfect finale to any type of meal.

Best of all, this simple dessert recipe requires absolutely no baking at all! In fact, the cheesecake filling comes together with just 4 simple ingredients.

Then it is poured into a store-bought graham cracker crust and put in the refrigerator to chill. Once you are ready to eat it, simply slice and serve!

However you can also make this dessert into individual servings as well. To do this either make your own homemade graham cracker crust and put them in small plastic cups, or purchase these Individual Graham Cracker crusts (I found them at Aldi), and add the filling.

The light graham cracker crust serves as the perfect vessel to hold the light and refreshing filling. In fact, it is one of my favorite dessert recipes to make for the warm summer holidays.

Inspired From A Classic Pie Recipe

Key Lime Pie has been a beloved and treasured dessert for many years. Although it is commonly found in restaurants and bakeries across the country it is most often served in the sunny state of Florida, where key limes thrive.

But how exactly did this classic dessert inspire something as delightful as this No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake? Well, it all begins with the type of limes used in this recipe.

The key lime itself is smaller and more tart than regular limes, and it grows abundantly in the Florida Keys. People there have been using these little green gems to make various type of recipes for generations.

However the iconic pie was developed out of necessity. Because there was no refrigeration fresh milk couldn’t be used. However because there were plenty of key limes to be used the idea of using cans of sweetened condensed milk came into play.

So Southern bakers combined the tangy juice of key limes with sweetened condensed milk and poured it into a pie crust. And voilà, the popular key lime pie was born!

It became so popular that both residents and tourists would devour this tangy dessert. And it was then that it eventually became an iconic food symbol of Florida cuisine.

The Perfect Summer Dessert

However, fast forward several years, and although the taste of Key Lime pie is irresistible, not everyone has the time to perfect the pie recipe. That is where this recipe comes in handy!

No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake is a take on the classic recipe, but delivers it in an easy to prepare recipe that requires no baking. And whenever you can prevent turning on the oven in the middle of summer, that is a good thing!

Although not exactly a pie there are a few things similar to the original recipe. Key limes are used to provide that iconic tangy flavor. And sweetened condensed milk is also used to provide an element of creaminess and sweetness to this dessert.

However for this recipe cream cheese is added which turns this dessert into more of a cheesecake than a pie. The creamy texture compliments the tartness of the key limes and provides for a delicious filling.

As for the base, instead of using a traditional pie crust, the filling is layered into a graham cracker crust. Not only does the sweetness of the crust compliments the taste of the filling, but it also adds a delightful crunch and a sturdy foundation for the cheesecake.

Last, for more added texture and garnish, top off your no-bake key lime cheesecake with some freshly few grates of fresh lime zest. The dark green flecks and natural oils in the zest will create both a visual and aromatic dessert that will impress your family and friends. 

Easy and Effortless – No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake

Even if you’re not an experienced baker, you can easily make this treat thanks to the recipe’s simple ingredients. Easily press the graham cracker crust into the pan (or use a store-bought crust) and pour the cream cheese mixture inside.

As the cheesecake chills in the refrigerator, the only effort will be waiting for the mixture to set before you can take a bite. But that waiting period is also why this is the perfect make ahead dessert recipe!

No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 1/3 cup key lime juice (6-8 key limes or 3-4 regular limes)
• zest of 1 large lime, divided
• 10 inch round graham cracker crust

Instructions

1. First, add the softened cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice and 2/3 of the lime zest to a large mixing bowl and beat on high until the filling is smooth and creamy.

2. Next, transfer the filling to the graham cracker crust and smooth out the top.

3. Then sprinkle the reserved lime zest on top.

Cover and place the cheesecake in the refrigerator for 4 hours or until it becomes set and firm. Slice and serve chilled.

No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake

This recipe takes the irresistible tangy-sweetness of Key Lime Pie and combines it with the creamy, velvety texture of a cheesecake. The result is a match made in dessert heaven!

As for the “no-bake” aspect, skipping the baking process is just another additional bonus. Because this recipe does not uses the classic cheesecake ingredient of eggs, you simply combine the filling ingredients and are done.

The hardest part is waiting for the filling to chill and set. But once you take the first bite, it is definitely worth it!

So, whether you’re treating yourself after a dinner for two, or sharing it with loved ones, it’s a recipe that will want to keep handy!

Other Desserts For Two

• Strawberry Pretzel Dessert Squares
• Ramekin Pineapple Upside Down Cake
• Zucchini Crisp
• Red, White and Blue Dessert Recipe

Enjoy! Mary

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