Description
Key lime cheesecake emerges as a delightful dessert showcasing Florida’s citrus charm. Graham cracker crust and creamy filling promise tangy satisfaction for passionate bakers seeking summer-inspired sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 packages cream cheese, full-fat, room temperature (24 oz/750 g)
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar (200 g)
- 2 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (350 g)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream, cold, 30-35% fat
- ¼ cup key lime or lime juice (2 limes)
- 1–2 tbsps key lime or lime zest (2 regular limes)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Sweetened whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
- Crust Formation: Crush graham crackers into fine powder and meld with melted butter, pressing firmly into the bottom and lower edges of a springform pan to create a sturdy, even base.
- Cream Cheese Preparation: Blend cream cheese using an electric mixer until achieving a satiny, lump-free texture, ensuring complete smoothness.
- Flavor Integration: Introduce granulated sugar, freshly extracted lime juice, zesty lime zest, and pure vanilla extract into the cream cheese, whisking until perfectly homogeneous.
- Cream Transformation: In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream to stiff, cloud-like peaks using an electric mixer, creating a light, airy consistency.
- Mixture Harmonization: Delicately fold whipped cream into the cream cheese base, maintaining its voluminous structure and ensuring complete incorporation without deflating the mixture.
- Filling Refinement: Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary, adding minute quantities of sugar to balance the flavor profile.
- Assembly and Chilling: Pour the silky filling into the prepared crust, smoothing the surface, then refrigerate for 5-6 hours until the cheesecake sets completely and firms up.
- Serving Presentation: When ready to serve, slice the chilled cheesecake and optionally embellish with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Prep Like a Pro: Use room temperature cream cheese to ensure a smooth, lump-free mixture without overbeating.
- Zest with Precision: Grate lime zest carefully, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath for a pure, vibrant citrus flavor.
- Crust Compression Technique: Press graham cracker crust firmly and evenly using the bottom of a measuring cup for a compact, stable base.
- Chilling is Crucial: Patience matters – allow full 5-6 hours of refrigeration to achieve the perfect cheesecake texture and flavor development.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg