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key lime dessert in clear cup on white board with slices of green lime and a spoon full of graham cracker cream and lime zest.
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5 from 1 vote

Key Lime Dessert with Zest and Cream

This zesty, colorful, creamy, and refreshingly cool key lime dessert is a family favorite that always gets some rave reviews.  And it tastes just as good as it looks!
Prep Time10 minutes
chill time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Allergy: Nut Free
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 531kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Graham crackers crumbs
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup sweetened condesded milk
  • ¼ cup lime juice squeezed from fresh lime
  • 1 Tbsp lime zest

Whipping Cream

  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 Tbsp powdered sugar

Instructions

  • In a small mixing bowl, mix together the Graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until well combined. Mix with a fork first then your hands until all the crumbs are coated in the butter.
    1 cup Graham crackers crumbs, 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
    Crumbled graham crackers in a white bowl.
  • Divide half of the mixture and place it in an even layer among 4 glasses or dessert cups. You can use your fingers or the bottom of a small measuring cup to press the buttery mixture firmly on the bottom of the cup or glass. 
    graham cracker crumbs in two clear cups.
  • Start by zesting the lime and then juice the limes using a citrus reamer.
    ¼ cup lime juice, 1 Tbsp lime zest
  • Using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the condensed milk, key lime juice, and lime zest, and beat until you have a thick and creamy filling. 
    4 oz cream cheese, ½ cup sweetened condesded milk, ¼ cup lime juice, 1 Tbsp lime zest
  • Spoon half of the key lime filling into the glasses on top of the graham cracker crust. Then repeat with the rest of the Graham cracker crumbs, and then with the rest of the filling, to make even layers.
    two clear glasses filled with softened cream cheese.

Whipping Cream

  • Using a hand mixer or in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or beaters) beat the whipped cream and powdered sugar until medium stiff peaks form. 
    ½ cup heavy whipping cream, 1 Tbsp powdered sugar
    whipped softened cream cheese in white bowl.

Chill

  • Chill the glasses in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, garnish with whipped cream and decorate with a little bit of lime zest.
    whipping cream with zest on individual clear glass key lime dessert.

Notes

  • For Gluten-Free option use substitute regular graham crackers for gluten free ones.

Nutrition

Serving: 4g | Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 384mg | Potassium: 270mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 1278IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 1mg