Key Lime Icebox Cake
This Key Lime Icebox Cake is my favorite no bake dessert!
I am in love with this Key Lime Icebox Cake! It is so easy to make and full of creamy, refreshing key lime flavor. The key lime custard is layered between graham crackers to create this no bake icebox cake.
There is nothing I love more an easy dessert that I can just whip together and that everyone will love and this icebox cake is just that.
My favorite part is that it is no bake and when the weather outside is hot I do not want to turn on the oven. No bake desserts are my favorite all year round but especially in the warmer months.
Icebox cakes are a little vintage and always a classic. Creamy custard gets layered with graham crackers and voila you have an icebox and they can be made in so many different flavors.
This version is perfect for summer. Sweet and tart key limes make a luscious creamy custard that goes perfectly with the graham crackers. The whole thing freezes overnight so the graham crackers get nice and soft like little layers of cake. Then you thaw the cake a little, slice it and serve!!
Of course because of the freeze time this cake is a perfect make-ahead dessert. So not only is this cake easy and no-bake but it also can be made ahead, what more could you ask for?!
This key lime cake is also perfect for get-togethers and cookouts. Everyone will be impressed and you get in and out of the kitchen in no time! You can easily double this recipe and make a 9×13 pan of the cake.
I promise this will be your new go-to dessert all summer!
You will want to make this dessert again and again!
You will love this recipe because it is
- Easy and fast.
- Family friendly.
- Crowd pleaser.
- Cool and refreshing.
- Perfect for get togethers.
Can I use regular limes?
Yes, this is called a key lime icebox cake but you can use regular limes I won’t tell lol! Key limes are said to be sweeter but they are smaller so require a little more work to juice than regular limes. You can also use key lime juice already bottled if you can find it.
Does this have to freeze for 8 hours?
I know 8 hours sounds like to forever to wait for this delicious dessert but it will be worth it!! The cake does need this time in the freezer for the graham cracker layers to get soft.
Ingredients used
●Sugar- For sweetness and the base of the custard
● Cornstarch- This helps the custard get thick
● Egg yolks- This gives the custard its richness
● Half-and-half- For a luscious custard
● Butter- Just a little bit for a little more richness to the custard
● Key lime zest- For a pop of flavor and for garnish
● Key lime juice- This is where all the flavor comes in
● Graham crackers- Make sure to get the honey or plain flavored ones, not the cinnamon ones.
● Heavy whipping cream- For the whipped topping.
● Powdered sugar- To sweeten the whipped topping.
How to make this icebox cake
- FULL RECIPE BELOW
- In a saucepan whisk together the sugar and cornstarch.
- In a bowl whisk together the egg yolks and half and half.
- Turn the heat to medium and whisk the egg mixture into the sugar mixture.
- Bring to just a boil while whisking constantly. Let bubble for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
- Whisk in the butter, lime zest and lime juice.
- Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile line an 8×8 square baking dish with plastic wrap.
- Place your graham crackers down the bottom of the pan, I did 3 across and then broke apart some to fit the end of the pan.
- Spoon 3/4 cup of the custard over crackers and spread over the crackers.
- Repeat 3 times ending with a top layer of crackers.
- Cover the top with plastic wrap and freeze for 8 hours or overnight.
- Remove the cake from the pan and plastic wrap and place on a plate or platter and let thaw for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile make the whipped topping by beating the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar together with an electric mixture until you get soft peaks.
- Spread the whipped topping on the top of the cake and garnish with lime zest and lime slices if desired.
Want more Summer Desserts? Check these out!
- Chocolate mint icebox cake
- Red, White, and Blue lush
- Peanut Butter Cup Icebox Cake
- Banana Split Lush
- Golden Oreo Icebox Cake
Lime Icebox Cake
I am in love with this Key Lime Icebox Cake! It is so easy to make and full of creamy, refreshing key lime flavor. The key lime custard is layered between graham crackers to create this no bake icebox cake.
Ingredients
- ● 3/4 cup sugar
- ● 1/4 cup cornstarch
- ● 4 large egg yolks
- ● 2 cups half-and-half
- ● 3 tablespoons butter
- ● 2 tablespoons key lime zest
- ● 1/2 cup key lime juice
- ● About 15 graham crackers
- ● 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ● 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan whisk together the sugar and cornstarch.
2. In a bowl whisk together the egg yolks and half and half.
3. Turn the heat to medium and whisk the egg mixture into the sugar mixture.
4. Bring to just a boil while whisking constantly. Let bubble for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
5. Whisk in the butter, lime zest and lime juice.
6. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
7. Meanwhile line an 8x8 square baking dish with plastic wrap.
8. Place your graham crackers down the bottom of the pan, I did 3
across and then broke apart some to fit the end of the pan.
9. Spoon 3/4 cup of the custard over crackers and spread over the
crackers.
10. Repeat 3 times ending with a top layer of crackers.
11. Cover the top with plastic wrap and freeze for 8 hours or overnight.
12. Remove the cake from the pan and plastic wrap and place on a
plate or platter and let thaw for 1 hour.
13. Meanwhile make the whipped topping by beating the heavy
whipping cream and powdered sugar together with an electric
mixture until you get soft peaks.
14. Spread the whipped topping on the top of the cake and garnish with
lime zest and lime slices if desired.
Notes
● Store leftovers in an airight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
● You can use regular limes if you prefer (they are easier to juice than the
tiny ones lol)
