Description
Summer’s most refreshing no bake key lime cheesecake bars combine tangy citrus with creamy richness. Graham cracker crusts and silky lime-infused filling make these chilled desserts perfect for cool moments you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (9–10 whole crackers) graham crackers
- 14 oz (397 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, room temperature
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- ½ cup (120 ml) key lime juice or regular lime juice
- 5 tbsps (75 ml) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsps (30 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Pulverize graham crackers, sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a food processor until forming a cohesive, slightly moist texture that holds together when pressed.
- Crust Setting: Transfer the crumbly mixture into a foil-lined 8×8 inch pan, firmly compressing to create an even, solid foundation, then chill in the freezer while preparing the filling.
- Cream Whipping: Vigorously whip heavy cream using an electric mixer until it develops luxurious, sturdy peaks that maintain their structure without collapsing.
- Cheese Blending: Beat cream cheese until achieving a silky, lump-free consistency, then seamlessly integrate sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and zest, mixing until perfectly harmonized.
- Filling Assembly: Delicately incorporate the whipped cream into the lime-infused cream cheese mixture, using gentle folding techniques to preserve the airy volume and prevent deflation.
- Layering and Chilling: Smoothly spread the creamy filling across the frozen crust, ensuring an uniform surface, then seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or freeze for 3-4 hours until completely set.
- Serving: Slice into precise, rectangular bars, revealing the smooth, tangy filling atop the crisp graham cracker base, ready to be enjoyed chilled.
Notes
- Crust Consistency Check: Ensure graham cracker mixture is just moist enough to hold together when pressed, avoiding dry or overly wet textures.
- Cream Whipping Technique: Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks carefully, stopping just before it turns grainy to maintain smooth, airy texture.
- Lime Zest Intensity: Use fresh key lime zest for maximum flavor punch, grating only the green outer layer to avoid bitter white pith.
- Chilling Strategy: Overnight refrigeration develops deeper flavors and provides perfect, sliceable consistency for clean-cut bars.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg