If you’re a fan of refreshing, tangy desserts that come together without spending hours in the kitchen, this No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe is going to become your new favorite. It’s got that perfect balance of creamy, zesty Key lime flavor paired with a buttery graham cracker crust—all layered beautifully and chilled to perfection. Plus, it’s simple enough to whip up for any occasion without needing to fire up the oven, making it an irresistibly cool treat on warm days or whenever a light, citrusy indulgence is called for.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe shines because of its straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients, each playing a vital part in the cheesecake’s texture and flavor. From the crisp graham cracker crust to the fluffy, tangy filling, every component is essential to create that classic balance you’ll love.
- Graham Crackers: Crushed into crumbs to form the deliciously crisp and buttery base of the cheesecake crust.
- Sugar: Added to both crust and garnishes to bring just the right hint of sweetness throughout the dessert.
- Butter (melted): Helps bind the cracker crumbs together, creating a firm crust that holds its shape well.
- Cream Cheese (softened): The star ingredient for that creamy, smooth texture that defines any good cheesecake.
- Key Lime Juice: The tart, citrus punch that makes this cheesecake uniquely vibrant and refreshingly zingy.
- Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds sweetness and richness, blending perfectly with the cream cheese and lime.
- Powdered Sugar: For smooth sweetness that dissolves perfectly into the filling without graininess.
- Cheesecake Flavor Instant Pudding: A secret weapon that helps thicken the filling to a luscious, fluffy consistency.
- Milk: Activates the instant pudding, contributing creaminess without heaviness.
- Lime & Green Food Coloring Gel: Optional but fun, these add pretty, natural hues that enhance the visual appeal.
- Fresh Limes (Key or regular): For garnish, adding fresh citrus notes and a lovely pop of color.
- Prepared Frosting: Used to decorate the top with swirly, creamy ribbons for a gorgeous finish.
- Lime-colored Sprinkle Mix: Adds fun texture and a playful touch to the finished cheesecake.
How to Make No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Start by lining a 7-inch springform pan with parchment paper to make removal easy later. Blend graham crackers and sugar until they form coarse crumbs. Pour crumbs into a bowl then mix in the melted butter until every crumb is well coated. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan to form an even, buttery crust. Pop the pan into the freezer to set as we prepare the filling.
Step 2: Sugar the Lime Slices
Slice 2 to 3 fresh limes thinly and place them on paper towels to drain excess juice—this keeps them from getting soggy. Remove the crust from the freezer, place a small bowl in the center of the pan to create a circle, and then dip the lime slices into sugar on both sides. Line these sugared slices along the pan’s outer edge, between the pan and bowl, to create a pretty decorative ring. Freeze again to set everything firmly.
Step 3: Make the Cheesecake Filling and Layer
In a stand mixer, beat together softened cream cheese, Key Lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and powdered sugar until smooth. Add the instant cheesecake pudding mix and milk, continuing to blend until thick and fluffy. Scoop out one-third of this batter and refrigerate it. Add a few drops of lime and green food coloring gels to the remaining batter to achieve your desired shade of green. Remove the pan from the freezer, discard the center bowl, and pour half of the green batter into the pan. Freeze for at least four hours. Once set, pour the plain white batter over the frozen green layer and return to the freezer for three more hours. Finally, spread the remaining green batter on top and freeze overnight for the best texture.
Step 4: Frost and Garnish
Before serving, remove the springform pan’s side carefully. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a star tip with prepared frosting and pipe swirly ribbons along the cheesecake’s edge—or dab in dollops if you prefer. Sprinkle lime green sprinkles over the frosting. Slice remaining limes in half and arrange them on top within the frosting for a fresh, zesty presentation. Serve with sugared lime slices on the side for extra flair and zing.
How to Serve No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe
Garnishes
The use of sugared lime slices and lime-colored sprinkles makes this cheesecake look as delightful as it tastes. Fresh lime halves nestled in the frosting add a natural brightness and invite guests to taste the citrus essence with each bite.
Side Dishes
This cheesecake pairs wonderfully with light, fresh accompaniments like mixed berries or a simple mint leaf salad to complement the tangy lime. A chilled glass of sparkling water with fresh lime wedges amplifies the citrus experience, making every mouthful refreshing.
Creative Ways to Present
For a little extra wow, serve individual cheesecake slices in clear dessert cups layered with whipped cream and a lime zest twist. Another fun idea is to make mini versions using cupcake liners for parties or picnic-friendly treats that are just as luscious and portable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover slices wrapped tightly in plastic or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This cheesecake holds its texture and flavor well for up to 4 days, perfect for savoring every last bit without worry.
Freezing
Because this is a no-bake cheesecake, freezing works beautifully. Wrap the entire cheesecake (or individual slices) in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to one month without compromising the creamy consistency.
Reheating
Reheating is not necessary and not recommended for this cheesecake. Simply thaw frozen slices overnight in the refrigerator before serving to enjoy the perfect chilled texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use regular lime juice instead of Key Lime juice?
Absolutely! Regular lime juice works fine if you can’t find Key Lime juice—just expect a slightly different, but still delicious, citrus profile.
Do I have to use the cheesecake flavor instant pudding mix?
While it helps create the fluffy texture and thickness, you can skip it if needed and chill the filling a bit longer, but the final texture may be less firm.
Is it possible to make this cheesecake gluten-free?
Yes! Just substitute gluten-free graham crackers for the crust, and you’ll have a gluten-free No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe that tastes just as amazing.
Can I prepare this cheesecake without a stand mixer?
Definitely. A hand mixer or vigorous whisking by hand will also do the trick, just take your time to ensure the cream cheese is fully softened for smooth mixing.
How far ahead can I make this cheesecake?
Because it needs several hours to set properly, making it a day ahead is ideal and recommended. This ensures the layers freeze well and flavors meld beautifully.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe enough if you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. The layers, the zing, and that perfect creamy texture come together in a breeze, making it an absolute must-try. So grab your ingredients, dive in, and get ready to wow everyone with a cheesecake that feels like sunshine on a plate!
Print
No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: Overnight (approximately 10+ hours including chilling time)
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake is a refreshing, creamy dessert perfect for lime lovers. Featuring a buttery graham cracker crust and layers of tangy key lime cheesecake batter, this recipe is colorful and visually stunning with lime-sugar coated slices decorating the edges. The cheesecake requires no oven, only chilling and layering in the freezer, making it a convenient and delightful dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Crust Ingredients
- 1 sleeve of graham crackers
- 1 Tablespoon of sugar
- 3/4 stick of butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling Ingredients
- 3 – 8 ounce packages of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup of Nellie and Joe’s Key Lime Juice
- 1 can of Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 small package of Cheesecake flavor Instant Pudding mix
- 1/4 cup of milk
- Lime colored food coloring gel
- Green food coloring gel
Garnishes & Decoration
- 5 to 6 Key Limes or regular limes
- 1 cup of sugar (for dipping lime slices)
- 1 can of prepared frosting (for piping)
- Lime colored sprinkle mix for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Line a 7-inch springform pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a blender or food processor, combine graham crackers and sugar, then blend until coarse crumbs form. Transfer crumbs to a bowl and mix in melted butter thoroughly. Press the buttery crumbs evenly into the springform pan to form the crust. Place the pan in the freezer to firm up.
- Decorate with lime slices: Slice 2 or 3 limes thinly and drain excess juice by laying the slices on paper towels. Remove the crust from the freezer and place a smaller bowl in the center of the springform pan. Dip lime slices in sugar on both sides, then arrange them along the outside edge of the springform pan between the pan and the center bowl. Return the pan to the freezer to chill.
- Prepare cheesecake batter: In a stand mixer bowl, combine softened cream cheese, key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and powdered sugar. Mix on low until well blended. Scrape down the sides, then add the cheesecake instant pudding mix and milk. Mix again until the batter is thick and fluffy. Separate one-third of the batter into another bowl and refrigerate. Add drops of lime and green food coloring gel to the remaining batter in the mixer bowl and mix until the desired shade of green is achieved.
- Assemble the cheesecake layers: Remove the springform pan from the freezer, take out the center bowl carefully, ensuring the lime slices remain positioned. Pour half of the green cheesecake batter into the pan and freeze for at least 4 hours. Meanwhile, refrigerate the remaining lime-colored batter. After 4 hours, pour the white batter evenly over the green layer and freeze for 3 more hours. Lastly, add the remaining lime-colored batter as the top layer and freeze overnight for best results.
- Decorate and serve: Remove the cheesecake from the freezer and carefully release it from the springform pan. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip with prepared frosting, then pipe frosting swirls or dollops around the cheesecake’s edge. Sprinkle lime-colored sprinkles atop the frosting. Slice remaining limes in halves and arrange them on the frosting border. Dip leftover lime pieces in sugar and serve as a garnish on the side.
Notes
- Use fresh key limes if available for the authentic tart flavor, otherwise regular limes work well.
- Make sure cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the cheesecake filling.
- The cheesecake requires multiple freezing steps for proper layering and firmness—do not skip chilling times.
- Lime slices are sugared to add sweetness and prevent bitterness.
- For easier removal, line the springform pan with parchment paper prior to pressing the crust.
