16 Refreshing Key Lime Recipes That Go Way Beyond Pie
Key lime mojitos, anyone?
In my opinion, almost nothing really encapsulates summer like the citrus, tart-yet-sweet flavor of Key limes. Although it’s a classic for a reason, I’m not just talking about pie either—these 16 recipes get creative with Key lime’s refreshing summer flavors. From cheesecakes to dessert bars to cocktails, each of these recipes will steal the show at all of your summertime gatherings.
Named after the Florida Keys, little Key limes pack a more powerful punch than the common Persian limes, and are really worth the extra work to find. Tip: If you really can't find fresh Key limes at your local grocery store, look for bottled Key lime juice instead. I promise that it will make all the difference when it comes to these tart treats.
Since this is a Key lime round-up, obviously I have to include some pie—our classic Key lime pie is packed with a bright and fresh flavor that will have you licking the plate clean. With the fragrant Key lime zest and juice in the filling, combined with the fluffy whipped cream and signature graham cracker crust, it really is the perfect slice of pie. If you're having guests over and aren’t in the mood to bake a whole pie, our Key lime pie mousse, chocolate-covered Key lime pie bites, and coconut Key lime cheesecake bars are all adorable, sharable summer desserts that are also sure to delight. The fun doesn’t stop there, though—keep reading on to find all of our Key lime-inspired recipes that scream summer with every bite.
Key Lime Mojitos
If you have an abundance of Key limes after making a classic Key lime pie, use some up to make this refreshing summer cocktail. The tart juice of Key limes makes the mojito a bit sharper and more citrusy, and the cream makes it taste like a creamy slice of Key lime pie.
Get the Key Lime Mojitos recipe.
Key Lime Pie
With the signature citrus flavor, fluffy whipped cream, and a buttery graham cracker crust, classic Key lime pie is the perfect tangy treat that is all too easy to devour slice after slice.
Get the Key Lime Pie recipe.
Key Lime Pound Cake
Rich and buttery pound cake, entirely perfect on its own, is a prime candidate for a Key lime glow-up. After all, what could be better than an easy, tender cake that’s flavored with our favorite lime?
Get the Key Lime Pound Cake recipe.
Key Lime Bars
Don’t get me wrong, I love Key lime pie, but when I'm looking for a mini, shareable dessert, I reach for these adorable Key lime bars. These have all the same elements as the beloved no-bake pie: a tangy, citrus filling, buttery graham cracker crust, and a fluffy Cool Whip topping.
Get the Key Lime Bars recipe.
Baked Key Lime Pie Pudding
The perfect dessert for end-of-summer, this dreamy, creamy, citrus-packed baked Key lime pudding will definitely elicit all the "oohs" and "aahs" at your next get-together. Served warm from the oven with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, a dollop of homemade whipped cream, and toasty graham cracker crumbs, this lime-infused pudding is incredibly impressive yet deceptively simple (we won't tell!).
Get the Baked Key Lime Pie Pudding recipe.
Key Lime Pie Mousse
Nothing says summer quite like a tart Key lime pie. That being said, when you're not in the mood to make a whole pie (or are looking for the cutest shareable dessert), then these mini desserts are the ones for you.
Get the Key Lime Pie Mousse recipe.
Mini Key Lime Pies with Coconut Macaroon Crust
Coconut and lime just go together so well. Your party guests will love these mini desserts and keep coming back for seconds.
Get the Mini Key Lime Pies with Coconut Macaroon Crust recipe.
Key Lime Pie Pops
This popsicle transforms all the flavors you know and love into a frozen treat. Complete with a graham cracker "crust", it's basically frozen pie on a stick, and we're planning on making them all summer long.
Get the Key Lime Pie Pops recipe.
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Mango-Key Lime Cheesecake
This copycat Key lime cheesecake has got everything–creamy mango and Key lime cheesecake, a layer of mango mousse, and a layer of mango glaze, all encased in a vanilla-coconut crust.
Get the Copycat Cheesecake Factory Mango-Key Lime Cheesecake recipe.
Key Lime Cheesecake
We love cheesecake. We love Key lime pie. This one really seemed like a no-brainer! The tanginess of Key limes mixed with creamy decadent cheesecake is so good, we think even dessert purists will approve.
Get the Key Lime Cheesecake recipe.
Key Lime Pie Martini
Unlike your classic vodka martini, this version is tart and creamy and exactly what we crave on a summer's day. It's extremely easy to make so you'll be kicking back and relaxing in no time.
Get the Key Lime Pie Martini recipe.
Coconut Key Lime Cheesecake Bars
We love a dessert mashup (we see you, brookie), but what if you upped the ante and combined three sweets instead of just two? That’s exactly what we did with these bars, which combine the best of Key lime pie, coconut cream pie, and cheesecake into one next-level treat.
Chocolate-Covered Key Lime Pie Bites
We refuse to turn on the oven in the summer, and that's why we took our favorite Key lime pie and turned it into mini frozen pies. These no-bake desserts get covered in chocolate and topped with more zest to get that punch of Key lime flavor.
Key Lime Crunch
With Golden Grahams cereal, pretzels, marshmallows, and a Key lime-white chocolate mixture, this is the perfect sweet and salty summer snack for potlucks, movie nights, and everything in between.
Get the Key Lime Crunch recipe.
Key Lime Pie Fudge
This tart fudge requires a little bit of oven work, but the delicate, buttery graham cracker crust and citrusy, creamy center makes it totally worthwhile.
Get the Key Lime Pie Fudge recipe.
Key Lime Poke Cake
Tart, sweet, and almost impossible to put down, this might be prettiest poke cake we've ever made.
Get the Key Lime Poke Cake recipe.
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