Are oranges and lemons the only thing we should enjoy? These easy lime dessert recipes prove that this versatile, sweet-and-tart citrus can be used for more than just squeezing it onto tacos or flavoring margaritas. Slurp your lips: We’ve rounded up the best lime desserts, from classic Key lime pie to thoroughly modern lime mochi.
Before we get started, here’s a little Test Kitchen tip related to some of our lime desserts: Key limes are small, thin-skinned, and seeded. They tend to be less tart and more flavorful than the Persian limes commonly found in American grocery stores. If you can’t find Key limes or Key lime juice (often sold in bottles) in a lime dessert recipe, substitute with whatever lime you have on hand, but keep in mind that the end product may be a little more tart.
This is it: a classic key lime pie that will transport your taste buds to Key West. Start with a three-ingredient graham cracker crust (or a store-bought version for a quick fix!), stuff with a creamy, juicy citrus filling, and bake. key How to make this pie a success? Check the temperature — make sure the inside reads 160°F when you remove it from the oven, then chill it for a few hours before topping it with whipped cream.
Fans of margarita cocktails or those who like fruit desserts and cheesecakes always love sharing this bite-sized treat at a party. With fresh strawberries, lime juice and zest, and a “salty rim” made from a pretzel crust, this dessert can also be enjoyed while sipping a margarita. The only thing this lime dessert is missing to complete the strawberry margarita experience is tequila, which means it’s perfectly fine to share with kids or those who don’t want to drink alcohol.
A white or vanilla cake mix is transformed into a vibrant, sweet-and-tart lime dessert with a trio of citrus flavors. First, mix lime zest into the cupcake batter. Then, once baked, carve a little well in the center of each cake and pipe the cream cheese and key lime filling. The icing on the cake? A decadent buttercream with plenty of center-filled filling.
Carson Downing
We nearly lost our cool when we discovered that it only takes five ingredients to create this creamy, refreshing lime dessert, but we regained our composure and knew we had to share this unique frozen dessert idea with you all. This shaved ice is enhanced with the creaminess of avocado (a recipe you can trust!) and flavor from fresh ginger, lime juice and zest, and a dash of white grape juice.
Test Kitchen Tips: This honey-sweetened dessert can be enjoyed as is, or served float-style with a splash of sparkling wine or lemon-lime soda.
Sure, this might look like your typical key lime cheesecake made in a 9 x 13-inch pan. But there’s a trendy little secret to the lime dessert filling: cottage cheese. If you’re not normally a fan, don’t scroll down. The versatile, high-protein dairy shelf staple melts into a creamy cheesecake when mixed with cream cheese. Mixing this dynamic duo with lime gelatin into a whipped topping creates an “amazing” lime dessert that’s “a big hit with friends,” according to the source. BHG fan.
No need to fight over the biggest pie slice or biggest bar; this pint-sized cheesecake is a single portion, so each person can scoop out a nice scoop into their own cup. After a rave-tasting panel, we’re sure you will too, to savor every light and delicious bite of this mason jar lime dessert. Perfect for a potluck party, this treat won’t be hard to recreate; simply top a buttery graham cracker crumb base with a cloud-like key lime and cream cheese filling.
Why should lemons hog all the glory in a bright, sunny bar? We’ve taken Grandma’s lemon bar recipe and invited limes to join the festive party. To get a taste of both flavors, bake the lemon filling for 10 to 12 minutes, then layer on the limes and bake for another 10 to 12 minutes. This lemon-lime dessert is “so easy to make and so delicious,” according to one five-star reviewer. “I love how the citrus flavor really stands out. It’s really a showcase of the lime and lemon. It’s so pretty when you layer the filling!”
Shortbread cookies meet key lime pie in this adorable, portable, bite-sized lime dessert recipe. We recommend mixing chopped macadamia nuts into the shortbread to complement the tropical fruit in the filling. Their buttery texture blends beautifully into the base, and the macadamia nuts complement the citrus filling and sweet crown of whipped cream.
Equal parts coconut and lime flavor, take a trip to Asia with these easy-to-make mochi. With just 20 minutes of work, your usual pantry staples, and a few special ingredients like coconut milk, lime juice and zest, and mochiko (aka glutinous rice flour or sweet glutinous rice flour), these colorful, chewy bars come together. After you try the coconut lime dessert, try our chocolate almond, blood orange creamsicle, and white chocolate macadamia variations.
Speaking of tropical pals, this pound cake has triple the coconut essence: The coconut cream pairs well with the lime juice in the cake batter, coconut extract and lime zest infuse the icing, and toasted coconut tops it all off. The result, one believes, is “a real showstopper.” BHG fan.
We might have saved the best key lime pie for last. They all taste amazing, but this freezer pie gets bonus points for being easy to make ahead and only 5 ingredients total. Yes, that includes pie crust! It’s no wonder one BHG reader said, “I love this pie! I make it every time I get the chance and it’s so easy!”
If you’re in the mood for something alcoholic, these cookies might be calling your name. Adding lime zest and tequila to the usual shortbread starting lineup (flour, butter, vanilla, powdered sugar) adds a touch of happy hour sparkle. These two teammates bake into a beautifully soft cookie, and once cooled, they’re dressed for the occasion with a drizzle of tequila icing and lime zest.
Traditional pound cake is deliciously buttery, but try it with a soft crust and a hint of vanilla. One five-star reviewer says, “The cake has a great texture and such a delightful flavor. It was easy to make and baked up beautifully in the bundt pan!”
Test Kitchen Tips: We recommend a mix of lime, grapefruit, and orange, but feel free to choose your three favorite citrus fruits.
Your favorite citrus and sugar are all the ingredients you need to recreate one of the coolest sweets ever made in our test kitchen. To follow our method, mix 6 parts orange juice to 1 part lime juice and add 2 tablespoons of sugar for ambiance (and improved medication takeability). Stir in chopped lime and freeze. Stir with a fork until the lime dessert is a scoopable consistency. So refreshing and easy!
