Tangy Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe: A Slice of Sweet Paradise

Creamy key lime cheesecake brings tropical zest to your dessert dreams with tangy, smooth perfection.

Sunlight seems to dance through each silky slice, promising delightful moments of pure indulgence.

Citrusy notes weave magic into classic cheesecake textures, creating something extraordinary.

Miami’s favorite flavor meets classic bakery elegance in this irresistible treat.

Cool, refreshing sensations emerge from every delicate forkful, teasing your palate with bright complexity.

Southern bakers have long celebrated this spectacular dessert as a true crowd-pleaser.

We invite you to savor every decadent bite and experience pure culinary bliss.

What You Need for Key Lime Cheesecake

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: A classic base that provides a sweet and crunchy foundation for the cheesecake.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the crust ingredients and adds rich flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances the sweetness of the crust.

• Cream Cheese: Creates the smooth, creamy texture that is essential to cheesecake.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake filling.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps stabilize the cheesecake and prevent cracking.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the flavor profile.
• Lime Zest, Lime Juice: Provides the signature tangy key lime flavor.
• Large Eggs: Bind the filling and create a rich, custard-like texture.
• Green Food Coloring: Optional ingredient for a fun visual effect.

• Heavy Cream, Powdered Sugar: Create a light and fluffy whipped cream topping.
• Lime Slices, Lemon Slices, Lime Zest: Garnish the cheesecake and add a fresh, citrusy presentation.

Create Your Key Lime Cheesecake

Step 1: Craft The Crumbly Base

Warm up your oven to a toasty 325F (160C) and lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan.

• Graham cracker crumbs
• Melted butter
• Granulated sugar

Blend these ingredients until they look like damp beach sand.

Press the mixture firmly into the pan’s bottom, creating a solid foundation.

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Once done, let it cool completely and set aside.

Step 2: Whip Up The Creamy Filling

• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• All-purpose flour

Beat these until they transform into a silky smooth mixture.

Introduce vanilla extract, zesty lime zest, and tangy lime juice, stirring until well combined.

Gently incorporate eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully integrated.

For a playful touch, swirl in some green food coloring to create a marbled effect.

Step 3: Bake To Perfection

Pour the luscious filling over the cooled crust, spreading it evenly.

Place in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes.

You’ll know it’s ready when the edges look set but the center still has a gentle wiggle.

Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake rest inside for an hour.

Afterward, transfer to the refrigerator and chill for 4 hours or overnight.

Step 4: Create Fluffy Cloud Topping

Grab heavy cream and powdered sugar.

Whip these together until they form stiff, billowy peaks.

Just before serving, pipe or spread this dreamy topping across the cheesecake’s surface.

Step 5: Add Final Flourishes

Decorate your masterpiece with delicate lime and lemon slices, sprinkling additional lime zest for a burst of citrusy brightness.

Serve chilled and watch as everyone falls in love with this tangy, creamy sensation!

Tips for Tangy Key Lime Cheesecake

• Create a water bath by placing the springform pan in a larger baking dish filled with hot water to ensure even baking and prevent surface cracks.
• Use fresh lime zest for maximum flavor intensity, grating only the green part of the lime to avoid bitter white pith.
• Beat cream cheese at room temperature to achieve a silky, lump-free cheesecake filling without overmixing.
• Refrigerate the cheesecake overnight to develop deeper flavors and allow the texture to set completely.
• Swap graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version.

Fresh Takes for Key Lime Cheesecake

• No-Bake Version: Skip the baking process by using softened cream cheese, condensed milk, lime juice, and whipped cream. Chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours until set.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly dessert.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and replace eggs with silken tofu or cornstarch mixture. Choose plant-based graham crackers for the crust.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar. Reduce overall sweetness and create a more tart, lime-forward cheesecake perfect for health-conscious dessert lovers.

Key Lime Cheesecake: On the Table

• Tropical Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside fresh pineapple chunks or mango sorbet for a zesty tropical flavor explosion that complements the lime's tanginess.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair with hot Earl Grey tea or iced green tea to balance the cheesecake's rich and creamy texture, creating a refreshing dessert experience.
• Summer Party Presentation: Display on a rustic wooden board with fresh mint leaves, additional lime zest sprinkled around, and small cocktail forks for an elegant and inviting buffet style serving.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Create individual mini cheesecakes in small mason jars for a portable and cute brunch dessert that guests can easily enjoy and share.

Key Lime Cheesecake: Storage Know-How

• Store leftovers in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator's coolest section, maintaining optimal texture and flavor.
• Wrap individual slices or whole cheesecake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Place in refrigerator overnight to thaw gradually and prevent texture changes.
• Warm individual slices at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy crust and uneven heating.
• Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance creamy texture. Best enjoyed within 4 days of preparation for maximum freshness.

FAQs

• Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh lime juice?

Fresh lime juice offers the best flavor, but bottled lime juice works in a pinch. Just ensure it’s 100% pure lime juice without added preservatives or sweeteners.

• How do I prevent my cheesecake from cracking?

Use room temperature ingredients, avoid overmixing, bake in a water bath, and let the cheesecake cool gradually in the oven with the door slightly open to prevent sudden temperature changes.

• What if I don't have a springform pan?

You can use a regular cake pan lined with parchment paper, but a springform pan makes removing the cheesecake much easier and helps maintain its shape.

Key Lime Cheesecake: Zesty Standouts

• Craft with Ease: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this key lime cheesecake recipe requires minimal technical expertise and basic kitchen tools.
• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Guaranteed to impress guests with its vibrant flavor profile and stunning presentation, making it ideal for dinner parties, potlucks, and special celebrations.
• Quick Preparation Magic: Minimal active cooking time allows you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying a delicious dessert with friends and family.
• Versatile Dessert Champion: Adaptable for various occasions, from casual weekend treats to elegant dinner finales, this cheesecake delivers consistent, mouthwatering results every single time.

Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Silky key lime cheesecake beckons with tangy Florida citrus and creamy richness. Rich graham cracker crust cradles this tropical dessert, promising refreshing bites that transport you to sunshine-filled shores.

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Ingredients

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Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

• 3 (8 ounces/226 grams) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (preferably Key lime juice)
• 1 tablespoon lime zest
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Green food coloring (optional for swirl effect)

Topping:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• Lime and lemon slices (for garnish)
• Lime zest (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Craft the foundation by combining graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar until the mixture resembles damp soil. Press firmly into a 9-inch springform pan, creating an even layer.
2. Preheat oven to 325F (160C) and bake the crust for 10 minutes, allowing it to set and develop a golden hue. Remove and let cool completely.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until velvety smooth, gradually incorporating sugar and flour. Integrate vanilla extract, vibrant lime zest, and fresh lime juice, blending until harmonious.
4. Gently fold eggs into the mixture, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. For an optional visual flair, introduce a hint of green food coloring to create a marbled effect.
5. Transfer the luxurious filling onto the cooled crust, spreading evenly to eliminate air pockets. Position in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, watching for slightly jiggly center and set edges.
6. Once baked, turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to rest inside for one hour, preventing sudden temperature changes that could cause cracking.
7. Chill the cheesecake in the refrigerator for minimum 4 hours or preferably overnight to achieve optimal texture and flavor development.
8. Prepare a cloud-like topping by whipping heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form, creating an ethereal crown for the dessert.
9. Just before serving, adorn the cheesecake with delicate lime and lemon slices, sprinkle with additional lime zest for a burst of citrusy brightness. Serve thoroughly chilled.

Notes

• Protect the crust from burning by wrapping the springform pan’s bottom with aluminum foil, preventing any butter leakage and ensuring even baking.
• Prevent cheesecake cracking by using room temperature ingredients, avoiding overmixing, and allowing the cake to cool gradually inside the oven with the door slightly open.
• Enhance flavor complexity by toasting graham cracker crumbs before creating the crust, which adds a deeper, nuttier undertone to the dessert’s base.
• Adapt for dietary restrictions by substituting graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies, and using dairy-free cream cheese for a vegan version.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 447 kcal
• Sugar: 37 g
• Sodium: 330 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg