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Three words that come to mind when I think of key lime are citrus, sweet, and tart. Key limes have a distinct lime flavor that can be hard to explain. It’s tart without being overly acidic, very aromatic, has an elevated sense of flavor (more so than a standard lime), citrusy, and has a very subtle sweetness. If you know, you know 😊 The flavor pairs well with many desserts, which is what I plan on sharing with you today. Even better, it’s such a refreshing flavor that it’s perfect for this time of year!
These are the recipes I have for you:
- Key Lime Pie Rice Krispie Bars
- Key Lime Pie Ice Cream
- Key Lime Cheesecake Parfait
- Key Lime Pie Martini
Key Lime Pie Rice Krispie Bars are a great combination of traditional Rice Krispie Bars loaded with key lime flavor. They are sweet and slightly tart and everything you want in a Rice Krispie Bar.
Key Lime Pie Ice Cream is incredibly rich and creamy, almost like a custard, with graham cracker crumbs swirled throughout.
Key Lime Cheesecake Parfaits are out of this world! You have a graham cracker crust, key lime-flavored cheesecake filling (no baking required), and a light and fluffy whipped topping.
Key Lime Pie Martinis are perfect for a hot summer day or after a long day at work. Imagine you’re sitting on a beach with a cocktail in hand and all your worries will go away 😊 The drink is more sweet than tangy in my opinion but there is still a hint of bitterness throughout. You won’t want to stop after just one!
Let’s walk through how to make each recipe…
KEY LIME PIE RICE KRISPIE BARS
Start by doing all your prep work. Spray at 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray, crush the graham crackers, zest, and juice the lime. Add the cereal and graham cracker crumbs to a large mixing bowl. Set all aside.
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the marshmallows, lime zest, and lime juice and stir until completely melted and combined. Pour over the cereal and stir until fully coated. Add the white chocolate chips and stir to combine.
Pour into the prepared baking dish and press into an even layer. You might need to spritz your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking to do this step. Sprinkle additional graham cracker crumbs over the top and set aside to set.
Once set, slice into squares, and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container on the counter and use wax paper in between layers to prevent sticking, if you plan to stack the bars in the container.
The recipe can be found here.
Add the heavy cream to a saucepan and bring to a simmer or medium-low heat. Add the egg yolks to a heat safe bowl. You can discard the egg whites or save for another recipe. Start to slowly whisk the egg yolks and continue to whisk while spooning small amount of the hot cream into the egg yolks. This will help you temper the eggs to prevent the eggs from cooking and starting to scramble. You will want to add about ¼ cup to ½ cup of the hot liquid total, while whisking, to temper the eggs. Then pour the egg mixture into the saucepan with the rest of the heavy cream and whisk until well combined.
Continue to heat until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This will happen quickly! Remove the mixture from the heat. If you DO see any chunks floating around, strain the mixture. If there are no chunks, you don’t have to strain the mixture. Add the sweetened condensed milk and lime juice and whisk to combine.
Place the mixture in the fridge to cool completely and chill. You can leave the mixture in the fridge overnight if preparing ahead of time, otherwise you should only need to refrigerate for about an hour. Once chilled, process in your ice cream maker according to manufacturer instructions. When close to being done, add 1 cup of crumbled graham crackers and stir to incorporate.
Transfer the mixture to a freezer safe container and freezer for at least 4 hours or until the desired consistency is reached.
Serve, garnished with additional graham cracker crumbles (optional), and enjoy!
The recipe can be found here.
Start by making the graham cracker crumble. Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl, add the graham cracker crumbs, and stir to combine. It should resemble wet sand. Set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
Next, make the whipped cream. Add the heavy whipping cream to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until stiff peaks form. Set this aside.
Next, make the cheesecake mixture. Add the cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until creamy and smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat until well combined. Add the condensed milk, lime juice, sugar, and lime zest. Beat until well combined and smooth.
Finally, assemble the desserts. Add the graham cracker mixture to the bottom of each dish. You want to use about ½ of the mixture and evenly divide it between the dishes. Save the other ½ for the second layer. Add the cheesecake mixture to a piping bag or Ziploc bag and snip off the corner. Pipe into each dish, filling about ½ way. You want to save the rest for the second layer. Add another layer of the graham cracker mixture and top with another layer of the cheesecake mixture.
Add a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with additional graham cracker crumbs and lime zest. Serve cold and enjoy!
If you are not going to serve immediately, cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. Do not garnish until ready to serve.
The recipe can be found here.
Start by crushing the graham crackers into crumbs and pour onto a plate. If you are smarter than I am, you will just buy graham cracker crumbs from the store and not the squares that you have to crush by hand at home 😊 Wet the rim of a martini glass with water and dip into the crumbs. Shake off any excess and set aside.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, key lime juice, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and heavy cream. Shake vigorously then strain into the martini glass.
Garnish with a slice of lime and enjoy!
I highly recommend using Nellie & Joe’s Key West Lime Juice for this recipe. The flavor will really stand out in the martini. I also like to use “Coco Real” Cream of Coconut. It comes in a squeeze bottle so it’s easy to use and save for future recipes. And it has wonderful coconut flavor.
The recipe can be found here.
What do you think of these recipes? It’s hard to pick a favorite but I will definitely make the martini again, if that’s any indication. Are you a fan of key lime or willing to give it a try? Personally, I don’t think it’ll disappoint! The combination of sweet and tart is wonderful, and the citrus aspect is quite refreshing.
Happy Cooking!
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