
Key Lime Cheesecake
Ever have a topping on your cheesecake?
Not a drippy or saucy topping but a real pie filling type of topping?
Well this Key Lime Cheesecake delivers!
Key Lime Pie filling sitting at attention on top of a smooth and light cheesecake all nestled in a graham cracker crust.
Whether you crush your own graham crackers or use a ready made crust this cheesecake won’t disappoint.
These are the INGREDIENTS You will need:
Lime Custard:
- 6 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons fresh Key lime juice or regular lime juice
- 1 teaspoon grated Key lime peel or regular lime peel
Crust:
- 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs about 12 whole graham crackers
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 2/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons fresh Key lime juice or regular lime juice
- 1 tablespoon grated Key lime peel or regular lime peel
- 1 16- ounce container sour cream
- Thin lime slices
These are the INSTRUCTIONS For preparation:
For lime custard:
- Whisk all ingredients in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until custard thickens and boils for 30 seconds, about 8 minutes.
- Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally (mixture will thicken).
For crust:
- Butter pan.
- Wrap 3 layers of foil around outside of 8- to 8 1/2-inch-diameter springform pan with 3-inch-high sides.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Stir first 3 ingredients to blend in medium bowl. Mix in butter until moistened. Press mixture evenly onto bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of prepared pan.
- Bake just until set, about 5 minutes. Cool completely.
- Maintain oven temperature.
For filling:
- Place cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar, eggs, lime juice, and lime peel in processor; blend well.
- Set cheesecake in large baking pan. Add enough hot water to baking pan to come 1 inch up sides of cheesecake pan.
- Bake until almost set but not puffed and center moves slightly when pan is gently shaken, about 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, stir sour cream and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl to blend.
- Carefully spoon sour cream mixture over hot cheesecake; smooth top
- Bake until topping sets, about 10 minutes. Cool 10 minutes.
- Spoon custard on topping and smooth top.
- Run knife around sides of pan to loosen. Cool cheesecake completely.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.Do ahead:
- Release pan sides from cheesecake; transfer to platter.
- Garnish with lime slices and serve.
NOTES
Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.
The presentation of your cheesecake as it adorns your dessert table will give that WOW factor to your guests.
No one will be leaving until after dessert is served! Better plan accordingly!
I always strive to serve the best meals I can. That means finding the best recipes that compliment each other.
Desserts are part of this plan.
And cheesecakes are some of the best desserts I can prepare.
I rarely serve a fancy looking dessert. And I never serve a complicated dessert.
So my recipes just have to meet a few requirements.
- They must be delicious.
- They must be inexpensive.
- they must taste awesome.
- and they must be able to be made by anyone.
This Key Lime Cheesecake is no exception.
It only takes about 30 minutes to prepare And 45 minutes to bake.
The hardest part of the whole recipe is waiting for it to chill!
My family looks forward to seeing this Key Lime Cheesecake.
Your family will too.
This post is part of my Cheesecake Collection. For more about Cheesecakes click 6 Tips To A Perfect Cheesecake Collection.
Key Lime Cheesecake
Ingredients
Lime Custard:
- 6 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons fresh Key lime juice or regular lime juice
- 1 teaspoon grated Key lime peel or regular lime peel
Crust:
- 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs about 12 whole graham crackers
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 2/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons fresh Key lime juice or regular lime juice
- 1 tablespoon grated Key lime peel or regular lime peel
- 1 16- ounce container sour cream
- Thin lime slices
Instructions
For lime custard:
- Whisk all ingredients in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until custard thickens and boils for 30 seconds, about 8 minutes.
- Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally (mixture will thicken).
For crust:
- Butter pan.
- Wrap 3 layers of foil around outside of 8- to 8 1/2-inch-diameter springform pan with 3-inch-high sides.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Stir first 3 ingredients to blend in medium bowl. Mix in butter until moistened. Press mixture evenly onto bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of prepared pan.
- Bake just until set, about 5 minutes. Cool completely.
- Maintain oven temperature.
For filling:
- Place cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar, eggs, lime juice, and lime peel in processor; blend well.
- Set cheesecake in large baking pan. Add enough hot water to baking pan to come 1 inch up sides of cheesecake pan.
- Bake until almost set but not puffed and center moves slightly when pan is gently shaken, about 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, stir sour cream and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl to blend.
- Carefully spoon sour cream mixture over hot cheesecake; smooth top
- Bake until topping sets, about 10 minutes. Cool 10 minutes.
- Spoon custard on topping and smooth top.
- Run knife around sides of pan to loosen. Cool cheesecake completely.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.Do ahead:
- Release pan sides from cheesecake; transfer to platter.
- Garnish with lime slices and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
Conversion Information We get a lot of requests to help with conversions especially between various countries like Canada, the U.K. and Australia. These tables should help you make those conversions. For your convenience we have included a Conversion Chart.
Disclaimer Unless indicated recipes influenced by cookbooks, magazines or family traditions.
Hey! This recipe looks amazing, making it with my family right now! However, a little confused about directions versus picture/description. It says to put in custard first, however in picture and description the custard is on top. Following the description and picture as that seems right but just wanted to clarify. Thank you for sharing this recipe and Happy Thanksgiving!
The original recipe was written differently than I put it together. It made more sense to put the filling below the custard topping. It is confusing. I will clarify the recipe. Thanks for asking and let me know how your dish turns out!!
I love cheesecake and hubby loves key lime – what a great combination!
Thank you Shelley! You are always such a big help.
You really are so good at creating cheesecake recipes. This one looks fantastic and fresh tasting.
Thank you for the kind words Leanna. Cheesecakes are my specialty. Most of these go back to my catering days. I find they are the easiest “wow” dessert to create. Have a good week!
I just pinned your pie, it looks delicious! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Whisk It Wednesday. Have a great week and come back to see us real soon!
Carrie
Thank you for hosting Whisk It Wednesday. I appreciate the pin.
Thanks so much for sharing this with us at the To grandma’s house we go link party! I’ll be featuring it tomorrow morning when the new party starts!
Thank you so much for the feature! I will be over soon.
Ooh Key Lime and cheesecake together sounds heavenly
It is Amber. One of my favorite combos. Have a good week.
Yum! Thanks for sharing! I love key lime and cheesecake, so this will be amazing. Thanks for sharing this in the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party! It has been pinned. Remember to follow all of us and we hope to see you back this Wednesday!
I am glad you like it. No one will complain when you have a piece!! Have a great week.
Looks delicious Marilyn 🙂 I need to try this, yummy. Thanks again for sharing at Creative Mondays last week, you are one of my features tomorrow.
Thank you Claire for the feature! I am glad you like the Key Lime Cheesecake. Have a great day.
This is a cheesecake I would seriously grab a fork for! It sounds lovely! Thanks for sharing on Friday Frenzy!
Being pie and cheesecake why not grab 2 forks?? I LOVE THIS ONE. Have a great week!
Oh my Marilyn, that looks and sounds so delicious. Limes always impart such a beautiful tart and fresh taste to dishes. I can’t wait to try it
There are so many good things oing for this dessert I need to promise to only make it twice a year. Glad you like ti! Have a great week!
I think this is just what I need to impress my girlfriends who are much better cooks than I am! I love cheesecake toppings and who can resist key lime pie?!
I hope they will appreciate you more when you serve this. Have a good week!
Oh wow! Key lime pie has to be a favourite of mine and this one looks amazing! Thank you for sharing with #mealplanningmonday x
Thank you Kristy for your support of this key lime cheesecake! It is to die for! Have a great week. #mealplanningmonday
I do love Key Lime Pie and Cheesecake. These two together is marriage made in heaven, looks absolutely delicious! #CookBlogShare
Thank you Jo. It is so inique and you don’t have to make up your ind if you want pie or cheesecake! Have a great week.
I love cheesecakes! I haven’t tried key lime, though. I am sure this tastes superb! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party, Marilyn! Enjoy the party!
I would never miss #FiestaFriday. There is always so much goodness there. Have a great week.
Key lime pie is one of my favorite desserts. The thought of combining it with cheesecake, is blowing my mind! Thank you for bringing your amazing cheesecake to Fiesta Friday this week! Happy Fiesta Friday!
Thanks Antonia. I know now I have a whole new way to make toppings on cheesecake even better. I am blown away thinking of the possibilities! Have a lovely week.
Your Key Lime Cheesecake looks fantastic, we will just love it! Thanks so much for sharing your special post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great weekend and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you Miz Helen. I hope you get to sample it. Have a lovely week.
Oh, yes please! This is my fav dessert and I’ve never made it. crazy!:) It’s time 🙂 Thanks for sharing x
It is as fun to make as it is to eat! Enjoy. Have a great week!
I like the inventive way this lime cheesecake is put together. A must yry as it is a refreshing option to all the pumpkin, cinnamon apple recipes that are right now swirling the internet.
This key lime cheesecake is definitely on a “table” of its own. I am sure it would be a big hit at any dinner party. Have a great week!
YUMMY! I bet that’s delicious! Thank you Marilyn for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared your post on Fb, G+, Pin, and Tw.
Thank you Dee for the shartesand for all you do!! Have a good week.
Plan accordingly with my family means to make at least 3. This looks light and luscious and fall/winter is the perfect time to taste the tropics with this cheesecake. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story and we hope you will join us again next week.
I hear the number needed being high. When a recipes says serves 8, in my home it serves 4. And then there are the seconds. At least I knw it is being eaten!! I agree it is a wonderful cold weather choice. Have a blessed week!
Sounds super yummy! You make the most delicious things. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you for the nice compliment Jann! Have a wonderful week!
Oh my, that sounds amazingly delicious. I especially love the idea of a lime custard topping. I must give this a go.
#MMBC
I hope you get to sample this Anne. You don’t regret it. Have a wonderful week!
Love your key lime cheesecake. I have some key limes so I just might make this.
Hugs,
Bev
You will love it Bev. It will make a tasty special treat. Have a wonderful week!
Oh my word, that looks delicious. We do love a good cheesecake in our house. Pinning!
Thank you Julie for the pin. It is appreciated. Have a wonderful week!
Hi Marilyn, I would love to try your key lime cheesecake. It looks fab. But limes are so hard to buy here and when we can they are extortionate in price and sad hard specimens. Pinning just in case I ever find decent and affordable limes!
Thank you for linking up with the #MMBC.
xx
I am sorry to hear that about limes. If you can use the squeeze lime juice in the dairy/produce area and skip the zest (peel). Or if you like use lemon. I do hope you get to sample something similar. The topping of a filling like this is what makes the etaste. Have a wonderful week!
Honest truth… I have never try a Key Lime Pie ever before.. Not of a big fan of the pies…… But, I love cheesecake and this Key Lime Cheesecake looks so yummy that made my mouth watery…. lol
Will have to give it a try ASAP……
Thanks for sharing your awesome work with us at #alittlebitofeverything party.
This topping really adds flavour and substance to the cheesecake. It is like a soft gel of sorts. I am hoping you will like it! Thanks Iveth and have a wonderful week.
This looks so amazing but I am currently restricting carbs. That means I am out of the cheesecake period of my life. 🙁
As I said, I am limited now to a forkful (as a cheat) to taste. Getting older really opens your eyes. Thanks Elise for sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed week!
Good afternoon Marilyn, Thank you so much for this fabulous recipe. I love cheesecake and I love the citrus element to your cheesecake. I will certainly be trying your recipe.
Best Wishes
Daphne
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Daphne. They are appreciated. I am glad you like the cheesecake recipe! Have a blessed week!
Beautiful cheesecake! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!
Thank you Helen! Thanks for the visit!
Shared on Facebook and pinned. -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Thanks for the share love. It is much appreciated!!
‘Hopping over from Blogging Grandmothers… WOW! This looks scrumptious! My fave dessert is cheesecake. Your recipe is a really nice twist on two classics. I love how the topping stays put! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
I saw this in a cookbook and just couldn’t resis. If you want to cheat us a box cheesecake mix and premadew crust then just add the key lime filling! It would be great at a luncheon. Have a blessed week!
Thank you for the recipe, it seems to be delicious.
Thank you Elsa. I hope you get to sample it soon. Have a wonderful week!
This is one of my favourite desserts and your recipe sounds absolutely delicious! Thank you for bringing it to #CookBlogShare:)
You are welcome Monika. I hope you get a chance to sample it. Have a wonderful week!
Sounds amazing!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thank Jess.
I’m always looking for new cheesecake winning recipes. Can’t wait to test this one out! I pinned it right away too 🙂 Thanks for sharing your treats Marilyn, I look forward to them every time
Thank you Angie for the pin. I now you will enjoy this cheesecake! Have a wonderful week!
Oh yum! I always buy cheesecake with a topping but never add one to ones I make! (lazy!!) this looks perfect! #CookBlogShare
I found this ine by sheer accident and loved it. Now I am dreaming up all kinds of ideas on putting pie filling on top of cheesecake. Like apple pie?? Or coconut cake?? Have a wonderful week!
I’ve never tried key lime pie, but I bet this key lime cheesecake is delicious!
Lianne | Makes, Bakes and Decor
Key lime pie has become one of my favorites after a fruit pie. If you get the chance you definitely have to sample it. Have a wonderful week!
This sounds so good, and so simple. We love Key Limes so I’ll have to pin this. Maybe I can make it for an upcoming holiday gathering.
I am sure this cheesecake would provide a wow factor to any get together you have. I do hope you get to sample the recipe. Let me know if you do! Have a blessed week!
I’m with all your other readers who’ve checked in: a weakness for key lime anything. I’m not as crazy about cheesecake–i might try this with a thinner layer of cheese cake but the full topping key lime custard.
This cheesecake recipe is light and fluffy. It isn’t the heavy New York style of cheesecake. A piece will not cause a full overstuffed feeling. Go ahead and cut that layer in half. But I bet you will add more the next time. Personally, I would double the topping because for me that had the most flavor. Enjoy!
2 of my favorite desserts Key lime pie and cheesecae put together. Yummy. #MMBC
Thanks Carol.thet are mine too. Have a blessed week.
This recipe looks luscious! Key lime pie *and* cheesecake? Doubly delicious. 🙂 #MMBC x
Thank you so much. I love key lime and this was delicious! Have a blessed week.
This looks fantastic, can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. The key lime is my downfall. Have a great week!
Oh Marilyn,
This looks amazing especially the custard on top!
I just fell in love with the key lime on top. It was better than the fudge I usually drizzle on top. Thx Judee and have a great week.
This looks so delicious! Key lime is one of my favorites!
I am glad you like it Ashley. It is one of my own favorites also. Have a blessed week!
I LOVE key lime everything! This looks sooo good 🙂
Thanks Jen/ key Lime is actually my favorite pie. I am discovering all the other recipes to utilize it. Have a blessed week.
hubby loves key lime anything! Pinned xo
So does my family. Key Lime is number one over chocolate to them. Can it be so?? Have a wonderful week!
This combines two of my all-time favorite “pies” (I consider cheesecake a pie because it’s un-cake-like). Love it!
That’s funny Trish!! I never know how to tag cheesecake. As a cake? As a pie?? I think most of my recipes here switch back and forth! Thanks for visiting me. Have a great day.
I think a spring form pan is going to follow me home next trip to the store. This looks sinfully delicious. The perfect combination of tart and sweet.
I hesitated making the spring form investment. After my first cheesecake I never looke back! Have a great day and Enjoy!
What a great combination!
Thanks Lisa!
Can’t wait to make this when I start getting ripe Key limes from my tree! Won’t be long, it’s full!
I envy you Ellen. We don’t have a growing season long enough for citrus trees in Michigan! Enjoy.
Me, too! But this looks like a wonderful treat!
Thanks Michele! It is so unique I just had to try it. Have a great week!