Despite the dessert's title, you don't actually have to use the small round Key limes or Mexican limes. If you substitute the larger, much more common Persian limes, the flavor will still be great, and no one is likely to notice the difference. So what is the difference? See my note at the end of this post.
Now let's get our lazy cheesecake going!
Sweet & Dreamy
Tart & Creamy
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Cleo Coyle writes two bestselling mystery series with her husband. To learn more, click here. |
🍈 A Note from Cleo
The no-bake cheesecake has been around for years. Where did it come from? Best guess, it originated on product packaging or in a newspaper's recipe section. This particular recipe came from my husband's late mother, Evelyn, who spent many years living and working in Florida.In a little tribute to her, Marc and I sent our amateur sleuth (coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi) to Florida in our 13th Coffeehouse Mystery, Billioniare Blend, where Clare blissed-out at the South Beach Food and Wine Festival on her way to resolving a series of suspicious crimes, including a car bombing outside her Greenwich Village coffeehouse.
🍈 And on that note, I'd like to reiterate...
For best results, use freshly squeezed lime juice. Do not use bottled, even bottled "Key lime" juice, which will impart a sourness to your pie. Freshly squeezed juice is what you want.
Other than taking the time to squeeze fresh juice, this recipe is an insanely easy one to make. Marc and I always enjoy it. We hope you do, too.
Other than taking the time to squeeze fresh juice, this recipe is an insanely easy one to make. Marc and I always enjoy it. We hope you do, too.
~ Cleo
🍈 Cleo Coyle's No-Bake
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (Key or Persian can be used, see my note below on how many*)
2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened
1 graham cracker pie crust (pre-made is fine)
(optional) sweetened whipped cream
To download a free PDF
of this recipe that you can
print, save, or share,
click here.
of this recipe that you can
print, save, or share,
click here.
Key Lime Pie Cheesecake
Makes one 8-inch pie
Ingredients:
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (Key or Persian can be used, see my note below on how many*)
2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened
1 graham cracker pie crust (pre-made is fine)
(optional) sweetened whipped cream
*Number of limes will vary depending on the amount of juice and size. For the larger Persian limes, you'll need about 6. For the smaller Key limes, you'll need 12 to 15.
(2) Pour the mixture into an 8-inch graham cracker crust. A pre-made crust is fine to use. On a lazy day, I'll use one to save time and drop the foil pan into a glass pie plate for stability (as you can see in my photos). Use a spoon to smooth and even out the top.
Directions:
(1) Place the sweetened condensed milk, freshly squeezed lime juice, and softened cream cheese in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. If you have a low-power blender, you may need to stop the blender and give the mixture a stir. You want the cheese to be completely whipped into the other ingredients, no clumps or lumps. Blend until smooth, about the consistency of a thick milk shake.
(3) Chill for at least 6 hours, overnight is even better. Slice, garnish with whipped cream. Try a sprinkling of lime zest for a bit of color, or a few mint leaves, and...eat with summertime joy!
Key Limes vs. Persian Limes
What's the difference?
Key limes are smaller, rounder, more aromatic, and have a thinner rind than our more common Persian limes, the ones we're more likely to see in US grocery stores.
The Key lime is picked green and turns yellowish as it ripens. Of course, the fruit’s association is with Florida, but today most limes we think of as "Key limes" are a variety cultivated in Mexico and Central America. Around the world, this little round lime is known by other names: the West Indian lime, the Omani lime, the Mexican lime, and the bartender’s lime.
What about the taste difference? Is there one?
Yes. The larger, Persian limes were created in 1895 by a California man who wanted to develop a lime that was milder than the Key lime, and it is milder. I've done my own blind taste test to affirm that fact. But, don't worry. The more common Persian lime will still do a fine job providing plenty of lime flavor for this recipe.
KEY LIME JUICER
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Lime Juicer. To learn more or buy, click here. |
If you're new to juicing Key limes, a hand press is what we use, as you can see in my photo above. It makes quick work of juicing the little orbs. Of course, there are other methods and devices that will help you with the task of juicing Key or Persian limes. If you have trouble finding such kitchen tools at your local store, try an online vendor. Click here to see a selection.
☕ Serve with
Cleo's Cold Brew!
👇
Eat (and read) with joy!
Eat (and read) with joy!
CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries, now celebrating more than twenty years in print. With more than 1 million books sold, they have gained an enthusiastic following. Cleo's "relentlessly entertaining" (Criminal Element) novels have been translated into Spanish, Japanese, and Czech; earned starred reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus; received Best of Year selection honors from multiple reviewers; and have been recommended by Booklist as among the best culinary mysteries for core library mystery collections. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, Toho, and MGM. They live in New York City, where they write independently and together, including the nationally bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries.
CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries, now celebrating more than twenty years in print. With more than 1 million books sold, they have gained an enthusiastic following. Cleo's "relentlessly entertaining" (Criminal Element) novels have been translated into Spanish, Japanese, and Czech; earned starred reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus; received Best of Year selection honors from multiple reviewers; and have been recommended by Booklist as among the best culinary mysteries for core library mystery collections. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, Toho, and MGM. They live in New York City, where they write independently and together, including the nationally bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries.
National Mystery Bestseller
(Triple) #1 Amazon Category Bestseller
Fresh Fiction Readers' Selection
To Buy:
"EASILY ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS THAT I HAVE READ THIS YEAR...10 STARS!" —Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book
"A KNOCKOUT STORY....one of the best books in this endearing series...a TERRIFIC READ..." —Dru Ann Love, Raven Award-winning reviewer, Dru's Book Musings
No Roast for the Weary is also a culinary mystery with a killer menu of delicious recipes. Click here or on the image below to see the free illustrated guide to our book's recipe section...
Click here or the image above for
Cleo's Free Illustrated Guide to
the recipes you'll find published in
No Roast for the Weary.
National Mystery Bestseller
(Triple) #1 Amazon Category Bestseller
Fresh Fiction Readers' Selection
To Buy:
"EASILY ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS THAT I HAVE READ THIS YEAR...10 STARS!" —Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book
"A KNOCKOUT STORY....one of the best books in this endearing series...a TERRIFIC READ..." —Dru Ann Love, Raven Award-winning reviewer, Dru's Book Musings
Cleo's Free Illustrated Guide to
the recipes you'll find published in
No Roast for the Weary.
Get a free Title Checklist of
Cleo Coyle's Books in Order
Click here or on the image below.
Get a free Title Checklist of
Cleo Coyle's Books in Order
Click here or on the image below.
Cleo Coyle's Books in Order
Click here or on the image below.
👇
