Key limes may be tiny, but their bold, citrusy flavor makes up for it. Our best Key lime desserts range from creamy pies to buttery cookies with an unmistakably floral, tropical taste.
17 Key Lime Recipes That Go Beyond Pie
1/17
Key Lime Cream Pie
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I am very proud of this luscious no-bake beauty. It's so cool and refreshing—perfect for any summer potluck or get-together. Wherever I take this pie, it quickly disappears, and everyone asks for the recipe. —Shirley Rickis, Lady Lake, Florida
2/17
Key Lime Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love Key lime pie, but some people are reluctant to take a whole slice of pie. These bars give just the right taste of Key lime and freeze well, so I can keep a stash for when I need a tart treat. —Kristine Staton, Broomfield, Colorado
3/17
Key Lime Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I modified this old family recipe to use healthier ingredients. The texture is so smooth and light. It is a favorite dessert that is enjoyed by all.
4/17
No-Bake Key Lime Pie
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This refreshingly easy Key lime pie is a winner on all counts. It's quick and easy enough to make for a weeknight dessert but special enough to take to weekend potlucks. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
5/17
Key Lime Pie Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love baking cookies for family and friends. I was getting bored making the same cookies over and over again, so I decided to come up with my own. My love of Key lime pie inspired these. —Suzy Wade, Deltona, Florida
6/17
Key Lime Blondie Bars
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s my tropical take on a beloved treat. These Key lime bars combine the taste of the classic pie with a blondie batter and cream cheese frosting. You can make a thicker crust if you like. —Kristin LaBoon, Austin, Texas
7/17
Key Lime Cupcakes
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
I made these light, tangy cupcakes on a chilly day to remind me of our vacation in southern Florida, where Key lime pies are star attractions. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
8/17
Key Lime Pie Balls
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The classic creamy filling, graham cracker crust and burst of lime are all mixed together in every bite of these rolled cookies. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
9/17
Margarita Tres Leches Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The first time I ever had tres leches cake I felt as if I were in heaven. I have made it at home using several techniques and flavors, and this margarita twist on the classic is my favorite. —Laurie Lufkin, Essex, Massachusetts
10/17
Key Lime Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Unlike the pie, this Key lime cake is topped with a decadent cream cheese frosting. You can top it with graham cracker crumbs as a nod to the original pie crust. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
11/17
Key Lime Trifle
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I saw a recipe for banana cream pie trifle I was inspired to invent a version than spun off my favorite pie, Key lime. My family loved it! Some friends got to try it, too, and they enjoyed immensely as well. —Rebecah Lytle, Ocala, Florida
12/17
Coconut Key Lime Thumbprints
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the cookie recipe I created for the Las Vegas World Food Championships in 2013. It's similar to a shortbread thumbprint cookie, but with lots more personality. —Amy Freeze, Avon Park, Florida
13/17
Frozen Key Lime Delight
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In the middle of summer, nothing hits the spot quite like this sublime Key lime dessert. Cold, creamy and tart, it tastes like sunshine. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
14/17
Key Lime Yogurt Pie
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a taste of paradise, try this no-bake Key lime pie recipe. It's low in fat, sugar and fuss. It truly is the best Key lime pie recipe ever! —Frances VanFossan, Warren, Michigan
15/17
Key Lime Bread
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
2 loaves (16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
I first tried this deliciously different bread at a friend's house, and she graciously shared the recipe with me. It's so easy to make and it tastes absolutely yummy! —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
16/17
Key Lime Pie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We created this refreshing mini pie with a homemade crumb crust and a pudding-like lime filling. If you can’t find Key lime juice, regular lime juice works just fine. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
17/17
Key Lime Pie Cupcakes
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
32 cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
I bake over 200 of these cupcakes for our church suppers, and we always run out. If you can't find Key lime juice, use lime juice. Just add a tad more sugar. —Julie Herrera-Lemler, Rochester, Minnesota
Key Lime Recipes FAQ
What is the difference between regular limes and Key limes?
You can tell the difference between Key limes and limes by their size, shape, color and aroma. Key limes are smaller and rounder than regular limes and have a light yellow color when ripe. Their thin skin makes them much more perishable than thick-skinned green limes, and they’re only in season from June to September.
The “regular” limes at the grocery store are Persian or Tahiti limes. They’re easier to juice, have few or no seeds and are widely available year-round. Both limes have sharp, tart juice, but Key limes have a more complex aroma that is slightly tropical and floral, lending a distinctive taste to Key lime desserts.
Can I use bottled juice instead of fresh Key limes?
You can use bottled Key lime juice in most dessert recipes. Fresh juice delivers the brightest aroma and flavor, especially when paired with a bit of zest. Bottled juice can’t replicate that, but it’s a practical swap when you’re short on time or need a large amount of juice. If a recipe calls for Key lime zest, replace it with regular lime zest so that the dish still has a strong lime taste, even though it will be slightly different.
How do I store leftover Key lime desserts?
You should refrigerate most leftover Key lime desserts, especially the ones made with dairy, whipped cream or custard fillings. Baked pies and cheesecakes also freeze well if tightly wrapped or transferred to freezer-safe containers. Cookies or loaf cakes with a sugar glaze hold up at room temperature for a day or so, but refrigerate them for longer storage to keep the glaze from melting.
