The delicious tart flavors of key lime pie meet the rich decadence of cheesecake.
Love key lime pie? This recipe takes it to a whole new level! Imagine the tart lime flavors of the classic dessert. Now imagine those flavors transformed into something sweeter, richer, and creamier. All of the flavors come together in this delicious dessert that’s showstopping, crowd-pleasing and mind-blowing.
This key lime cheesecake is perfect for entertaining or celebrating an event like a birthday, anniversary, or graduation. One slice of this delicious creation may make your guests forget that birthday cake even exists!
If you’ve never made cheesecake before, it’s not as hard as you may think. If you follow the instructions of this recipe, it can be as easy as…well, key lime pie! Not ready to try your hand at cheesecake just yet? Check out this Key Lime Pie recipe for the classic treat, or branch out with these Key Lime Bars. Cheesecake enthusiasts, continue reading.
Is Key Lime Cheesecake Healthy?
This key lime cheesecake probably wouldn’t be considered healthy by most, since a lot of the ingredients don’t necessarily bring many nutritional benefits to the table. The fat content in the cream cheese as well as butter may be an area of concern for some. For those reasons, this decadent dessert should be enjoyed in moderation. If you’re looking for some swaps in this recipe to make it a little healthier, try powdered or regular stevia in the place of granulated sugar.
What’s The Difference Between Key Limes And Regular Limes?
“Key lime” is not just the name of a dessert—it’s a specific kind of lime, which has been grown in the Florida Keys since the 19th century. Surprisingly to many, this variety of limes is originally native to Southeast Asia.
Key limes are usually more acidic than regular limes, which helps give desserts like key lime pie their signature tart flavor. They also have a slight floral aroma to them. If you can find key limes at your local grocery store, definitely pick some up for this recipe. If not, regular limes will do just fine.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (for crust)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for crust)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted (for crust)
- 1 1/2 pounds cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 teaspoons lime zest
- 3 large eggs
- 2/3 cup key lime juice
- Whipped cream and lime wedges for garnish, optional
FAQs & Tips
You can store leftover key lime cheesecake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To store leftovers in the freezer, freeze pieces of the cheesecake, uncovered, for 1 hour. Then, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and place in a plastic bag, storing for up to 2 months.
If you want to make sure the texture of your cheesecake is just right, it’s important to keep your wet ingredients at room temperature before mixing them. This includes the cream cheese, lime juice, and eggs. When all the ingredients are at the same temperature, everything will blend together more seamlessly.
First, avoid opening the oven while the cheesecake is baking. Instead, use your oven light to monitor the cheesecake as it bakes, if you have one. You can also try using a water bath. Doing so ensures a more even temperature throughout the entire cheesecake as it bakes, which helps prevent cracks, though a longer cooking time will be needed.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this rich and creamy cheesecake after a healthier meal, like a Mediterranean Salad or a robust, veggie-forward recipe like Easy Homemade Crock-Pot Vegetable Soup.
Are you one of those people who—like me—believes that a good dessert pairs wonderfully with an evening coffee? If so, allow me to suggest a few recipes that’ll impress your guests even more. Keep your sweet tooth going with this Homemade Caramel-Vanilla Iced Coffee, or learn how to make your own Cold Foam to top off any of your favorite coffee drinks.
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 9 hours 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted
For the Filling
- 1 1/2 pounds cream cheese softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 teaspoons lime zest
- 3 large eggs
- 2/3 cup key lime juice
- Whipped cream and lime wedges for garnish optional
Instructions
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Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. If the mixture is dry, add an additional 1-2 tablespoons of melted butter to moisten it further. It should resemble wet sand.
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Press the crust mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
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Beat cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, and lime zest until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then gradually mix in key lime juice.
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Pour the filling into the crust and bake at 300°F for 60 minutes or until set. Turn off the oven and let sit for about 25 minutes with the door slightly open.
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Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 8 hours before serving. Decorate with whipped cream and lime wedges if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Calories: 388kcal (19%) Carbohydrates: 33g (11%) Protein: 6g (12%) Fat: 27g (42%) Saturated Fat: 15g (94%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 7g Trans Fat: 0.2g Cholesterol: 112mg (37%) Sodium: 264mg (11%) Potassium: 127mg (4%) Fiber: 0.4g (2%) Sugar: 24g (27%) Vitamin A: 986IU (20%) Vitamin C: 4mg (5%) Calcium: 73mg (7%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
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