So I guess you could say I’m on a bit of a citrus kick. What can I say? The bright, tart flavors remind me of warmer weather and right now that’s all I can think about. I for one am over these dreary days and looking forward to crisp spring mornings that are just around the corner. Also- my grocery store happened to have a bag of adorable key limes for sale (which never happens) so I just had to buy them.
I wanted to make a beautiful cheesecake that was a bit tart, but not sour, and creamy and smooth instead of overly dense and rich. This was the perfect recipe and the end result was to die for good: thick graham cracker crust, creamy lime-y cheesecake, and a layer of fresh whipped cream on top. Even though I wouldn’t consider it a “healthy” dessert, my family/friends who tasted it all agreed that the texture/flavor made it taste light. (No key limes in sight? Regular lime juice would work and make this just as delicious!)
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 eggs
- zest from 1 lime
- ½ cup key lime juice
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- Preheat over to 300F.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs with butter or margarine. Press into bottom and partially up sides of 9 inch springform pan. Bake for 15 minutes while prepping the filling.
- In a large bowl, with an electric mixer beat the cream cheese, sugar, lime zest, and cornstarch until smooth and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, blending just until combined. Add key lime juice with mixer on low. Finish mixing by hand. (Don't over-mix.)
- Place a shallow pan full of boiling water onto the bottom shelf of the oven. Place the cheesecake on a higher shelf and bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 55 to 65 minutes, or until set.
- Turn oven off, and let cheesecake stand in oven 30 minutes with the door open at least 4 inches.
- Remove from oven- let cool completely and then refrigerate cake overnight, and up to three days.
- When ready to serve, whip the heavy cream with an electric mixer until thick and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, and spread over cheesecake.
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
Cheesecake is a favorite around here. This looks wonderful, Audra!
Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen says
How prefect. My mom LOVES key lime pie and I know she would love this too. Her 60th birthday is this month so I may have found just the thing to make her!
katie says
Love me some key lime pie and cheesecake is my favorite so this is a match made in heaven for me!
[email protected]! says
Love the pillowy whipped top!
Gloria @ Simply Gloria says
Cheesecake is my weakness…AND especially with some citrus kick! The crust is also making my mouth water! I wish my grocery store had some key limes in…But until then, I’ll simply do what you suggested and be able to use the lime juice I happen to have for emergencies like this one! (=
Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry says
My dad goes nuts over key lime anything and with his birthday coming up, I’ll have to make this for him.
Mimi @ Culinary Couture says
Your cheesecake looks absolutely perfect!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Wow, this is one good lookin’ cheesecake. I love that you flavored it with key lime. Reminds me of sunny days and warm weather.
Carla says
Yum! I just found out I am expecting again and with each pregnancy I always crave citrus. It just so happens I bought key limes last week! Cannot wait to try this recipe! Thanks!
Audra says
Aw congratulations!! :)
Carla says
Thank you!
Tracey says
I am loving your citrus kick – keep ’em coming! :) I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for key limes, they are definitely hard to come by. This cheesecake would be the perfect way to use them!
tara says
That looks beautiful and delicious! I love key lime pie! And cheesecake. Together? Mmmmm
Julie @ Table for Two says
key lime is one of my ultimate favorite flavors! i love this cheesecake and it would not stand a chance in my household!
Natalie says
Wow this is gorgeous! I love how wonderful this look and I just love the tart taste of key lime, must try this out.
Anne @The Cooking Campaign says
Key Lime desserts are a favorite around here, I think I’ll have to make these for my next dessert day!
Becca from cookie jar treats says
Did you make mini cheesecakes for the pictures? Because the cheesecake looks mini and it’s cute. But maybe its an optical illusion. Anyways, this looks great. Although I’ve never heard of key lime cheesecake, pie, yes, but not cheesecake. It sounds delicious! :)
Audra says
No it’s not mini- just a huge cake stand :) The recipe is for a 9 inch cheesecake- but my pan is 7 inches. I poured the extra batter into a ramekin!
Vicki @ WITK says
You have combined two of my most favorite things ever – cheesecake and key lime pie – AMAZING! Now I have to head to the store and find some key limes!
ashley - baker by nature says
This is SO lovely! I’m addicted to Steve’s Key Lime Pies (have you tried these?!), but I totally need to try making my own.
Julia says
I am a big cheesecake lover. Key lime cheesecake sounds so light and refreshing. Beautiful photos too.
PapaLos @ The Man, The Chef, The Dad says
This sounds amazing especially with spring time coming up quick. I’m a sucker for those fresh, citrus flavors too. I’ve had my springform pan for a while and it’s still a virgin.. I think I’ll have to change that soon.
Rebecca K. says
I made this cheesecake for my husband’s birthday. He was very impressed!
I had always been pretty intimidated by anythingin a springform pan…don’t ask me why, I think my Mom must have passed down some sort of fear because hers only collected dust in our basement! (:
Followed everything step by step and had the BEST results. So delicious!
Confession: I got a little distracted when I was whipping the cream, and made butter instead. (; It was nothing a second trip to the market couldn’t fix…I just tried again, and did not go so crazy with the mixer!
Awesome recipe!
Audra says
I’m so glad you liked this one Rebecca! I thought it was so light and refreshing for cheesecake!
Mary Anne P. says
Hi Audra,
what was the 1 cup pf white vinegar for in the recipe, I read and re read your recipe but never found the usage of the white vinegar. Please help.
Baker Momma says
Made this cheesecake last night for a dinner party today and it was PERFECT. Light and creamy. Everyone really loved it and the recipe was simple and straightforward. Thanks Audra.
Cristina says
Made this on Sunday. Perfect recipe- the cheesecake was delicious and also looked beautiful. Will be my go to recipe!
Audra says
It’s one of my favorites too! :)
Sharon says
Making it now, I’m so excited, it tasted good before I put it in the oven. At 7,000 ft (can be tough to bake in general) so it will probably take at least an hour, maybe two…anxiously waiting! Thx for your great blog!
Emily A says
I totally just made this cheesecake today! It is going to be devoured at our Easter dinner tomorrow afternoon. Totally can’t wait. The only thing I did different was I used gluten-free graham crackers to make the crust. :)
Cristina Polsgrove says
Your key lime cheesecake recipe is my go to for lime cheesecake. I adapted for Cinco de Mayo by adding some Grand Marnier and Tequila and doing the crust with pretzels for a Margarita Cheesecake. Big hit!
Beth says
Could anyone convert this recipe for a 7″ pan?
Thank You!
Audra says
You can bake this in a 7 inch pan! The cheesecake will just be thicker :)
Nate says
hey B-C- first time to your blog. i made this last night for my-sister-the-food-writer’s bday. she is hard to please, and i, having lived in south florida with a key lime tree in my yard, i am a key lime snob. so this pronouncement is not made lightly: this is a really great recipe. Balanced, tasty, not too sweet, just perfect. Thank you for putting it out here.
notes and mods for my next try at it: 1. chocolate wafer crumbs instead of graham cracker, well worth it for superior flavor, texture, and color; 2. i used fresh key lime juice, but, i’m not getting all high and mighty about it, i’m not sure if it really makes a difference; 3. i skipped the whip creme and no regrets; 4.those who haven’t handled key lime zest, beware, it is unforgiving stuff, i used 3/4 of a key lime of carefully trimmed pure green skin, absolutely no whites, and that worked great. i destroyed a key lime pie a few months ago with excess zest, so now i am chastened.
Thanks again for a great recipe,