Summer is here and you will want to make this Key Lime Cheesecake for your next family gathering. This is the easiest Key Lime Cheesecake recipe that anyone can make! Using key lime juice sets this recipe apart from any other recipe you will find. This key lime cheesecake recipe is the perfect dessert for summertime gatherings. Using simple ingredients gives the best results for this great recipe that will impress your crowd!
The first time I made this recipe I was pleasantly surprised with how much less cleanup I had than with other cheesecake recipes. I enjoy baking anything that doesn’t make a total disaster out of my kitchen, and bonus points if the recipe is a hit with everyone! This truly is one of the easiest desserts to make and by following my step-by-step process you will have a delicious dessert for everyone in no time at all.
What are key limes?
Have you ever wondered what the history is of Key limes? Interestingly enough they aren’t native to Florida at all! Key limes are actually native to Southeast Asia and came to the Florida Keys by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Henry Perrine is accredited with the introduction.
They were originally brought to the New World in the Caribbean first, and then spread through tropical and subtropical North America, including Mexico, California, and Florida, and have been growing in Florida since. It is crucial that Key Lime trees stay in a warm environment that does not dip below freezing temperatures.
If the Key Lime trees are exposed to low temperatures it can cause serious leaf, wood, and fruit damage. If they are exposed to prolonged freezing temperatures the tree will eventually die. Since they cannot be exposed to these temperatures they are great candidates to be grown in the warm climate areas of the country (i.e. Florida).
Since Key Limes are grown in Florida and you also have the Florida Keys which are famously known for their use of Key limes you will always associate the two together! If you ever find yourself in the Florida Keys you may even be able to pick some fresh limes there to try for yourself!
While Key Limes are typically green when picked they are actually more yellow when fully ripe. Key limes also have a much more tart flavor than regular limes do. This key lime cheesecake will become one of your favorite desserts as long as you are a lime lover!
Can I substitute limes for key lime?
You can find key lime juice at the grocery store, but you can also use fresh lime juice if you can locate fresh key limes at a store near you. You do not want to use regular lime juice or Persian limes as they do not give the same zing and flavor to the cheesecake.
My favorite part of this cheesecake is how beautiful it looks topped with lime zest and think lime slices on the top to garnish (not to mention the amazing key lime flavor)! The cheesecake filling is complimented well by the greenish color of the limes! I also love that these cheesecakes are mini and can be made in a cupcake pan rather than having to use a spring-form pan and hot water bath! So much easier and a lot less cleanup.
If you want to make your own homemade whipped cream using heavy cream you can do that as well just using an electric mixer! I like to bake desserts for my family and if I have time to make the whipped cream from scratch my family enjoys it every time (don’t worry if you don’t want to, you can always use the store-bought whipped cream too!). To make it even more interesting you can add in some lime zest to make it a zesty whipped cream!
How to Make Key Lime Cheesecake
Making the graham cracker crust:
- Preheat oven
- Crush your graham crackers to create graham cracker crumbs
- In a medium bowl combine graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter until a wet sand-like mixture forms
- Scoop graham cracker crumbs into cupcake liners and press evenly into the bottom using a flat bottom glass or the bottom of a measuring cup
- Bake the crust for 5 minutes
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely
Making the cheesecake filling:
- Preheat oven
- Using a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth
- Beat in the fresh lime juice, zest, sour cream, and vanilla until combined and smooth
- Beat one egg at a time until combined
- Fill the cupcake liners about 3/4 full and bake
- Remove and allow to cool
- Top with fresh whipped cream, lime zest, and small lime wedges
Other Desserts You’ll Love:
The Easiest Key Lime Cheesecake
Summer is here and you will want to make this Key Lime Cheesecake for your next family gathering. This is the easiest Key Lime Cheesecake recipe that anyone can make! Using key lime juice sets this recipe apart from any other recipe you will find. This key lime cheesecake recipe is the perfect dessert for summertime gatherings. Using simple ingredients gives the best results for this great recipe that will impress your crowd!
Ingredients
- Graham Cracker Crust:
- 1 ¼ C ground graham crackers
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 5 tbsp unsalted sweet cream butter, melted
- White cupcake liners
- Traditional cupcake baking pan
- Key Lime Cheesecake Filling:
- 2 - 8oz cream cheese, softened
- ⅔ c sugar
- ¼ c sour cream
- 5 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp lime zest
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- Topping:
- Fresh whipped cream
- Lime zest
- Lime slice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line the cupcake/muffin pan with the cupcake liners
- Using a medium bowl, whisk the graham cracker, sugar and melted butter until a wet sandlike mixture forms
- Scoop 1 ½ tbsp of graham cracker crust into the cupcake liners and press into a even bottom using a flat bottom glass or measuring cup
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 5 minutes
- Remove and allow to cool completely
- Preheat the oven to 350
- Using a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until combined and smooth
- Beat in the lime juice, zest, sour cream and vanilla until combined and smooth
- One egg at a time, beat until combined
- Fill the cupcake liners about ¾ almost full and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cupcakes are set. It’s okay if there is a slight jiggle in the center!
- Remove and allow to cool on the counter until room temp before moving to the fridge overnight
- Top with fresh whipped cream, lime zest and a lime wedge
- Enjoy!
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