Lime Cracker Cream Pie Recipe - No Bake Dessert

Name: Lime Cracker Cream Pie Recipe - No Bake Desser
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup whipping cream; 1 can sweetened full cream condensed milk; 1/4 cup fresh lime juice; 1 tbsp lime zest; 2 packets Ritz crackers; Crushed crackers and lime zest

Tangy and sweet this lime pie needs only 4 ingredients, it is a no bake dessert that tastes like a dream. It is fresh, creamy, rich and delicious – not to mention very easy to make and perfect for summer.

Welcome to my Cookbook Recipe Series Episode 6, where I make some of my favorite recipes from cookbooks that I own. The last episode covered the Fruit crumble cake from Ravneet Gill’s The Pastry Chefs Guide which was so fresh and delicious. I made it with cherries as I was lucky enough to get my hands on a bucket full of them for cheap as chips. Today we are making the Lime Cracker Cream Pie in 10 mins from Food 52’s Genius Desserts Cookbook. I had posted a poll on threads and on my broadcast channel on IG asking you to help me decide which recipe to choose from, it was between this and the Lime syrup cakes (Nigella Lawson) – without a doubt this one was a winner. Don’t get wrong I love the syrup cakes too but this one won.

It is worth mentioning and I am a sucker for a good old baked pie with short crust pastry and a proper filling. So don’t get it twisted when I say this pie is delicious into thinking I have converted and don’t like a good old fashioned pie – because it is not the case. In saying this, you must know that I love a simple, quick fix, throw together dessert that is ready in no time and requires very few ingredients. This recipe is one such example of that. I have made this recipe so many times and customized it to my liking. So you can check out the full recipe as per the cookbook here if you would like to make it as per the suggested recommendations (which are PERFECTLY delicious!)

If there was one time for me to sell you the concept of no bake desserts that are similar to ice box desserts, or layered trifles etc. it would be now. With the heat turned up to full blast it is only fitting to use the fridge and freezer as much as we can and honestly a little cold dessert during this heat wouldn’t hurt, in fact it would help. This recipe is originally by J. Kenji López-Alt and it is a genius (rightfully classified) as heavy cream when mixed with acid gets thicker creating a sour cream like texture that seems like it is whipped but it isn’t. It truly is like magic which is why it takes under 10 minutes to prepare and a couple of hours to set before you are can spoon/slice/scoop it out into serving plates.

What are the ingredients for lime pie?

A lime pie calls for 3 components, the crust, the filling, the garnish. There are two types of pies: baked and no bake pies. A lime pie can be made with a pie custard and baked or it would be a lime curd and set. The crust could be a pastry that is baked or a biscuit base that is set. Hence it depends on the recipe however the most common ingredients would include limes, sugar, eggs, cream, butter for the filling and the curst could be biscuits and butter or short crust pastry. The garnish would be whipped cream or lime slices.

What is the difference between key lime pie and lime pie?

Key limes have a higher acidity which makes them more sour/tart in flavor. These are not the same as regular lime that we buy easily. Hence a key lime pie would include key limes and not the regular limes we use.

What does lime pie taste like?

The best way to describe it is, lime pies are fresh, zesty, citrusy and sweet. They have a sour note but it balances out wit the sweetness.

What are crackers?

Crackers are a flat biscuit most often than not made with flour, salt, butter and water. They can be seasoned and customized with a variety of flavors. They are a dry baked biscuit which can be used to make many appetizers, starters, desserts, snacks etc.

What is a lime cracker pie?

Lime cracker cream pie is ritz salted crackers layered with a sweet cream that is thickened up with fresh lime juice and lime zest. It is set in the fridge for 2 hours before slicing as the biscuits will soak up that cream and set the pie once it chills making it a simple no bake dessert for summer.

How to make no bake pies?

No bake pies are usually made with a biscuits crumb base that is packed tightly into the pie dish. It is set into the fridge to cool while the filling is made. In this case the lime cream filling. Once it is made the filling is pour into the set crust and set in the fridge to firm up before garnishing and slicing. This pie is not made like a pie is but is layered like a trifle is however it sets in a way you can slice like you would a pie.

What ingredients are needed to make this lime cracker pie?

To make this lime cracker cream pie we need Ritz salted crackers, limes, heavy cream/whipping cream and condensed milk.

How to make lime zest?

We grate the skin of the lime on a fine grater’s like a microplane, we only want to grate the outer green part of the skin of the peel as the white part is bitter. Hence you can move the grater (face up) around the lime to see whether you are getting the green part with the white part or just the green part.

What equipment is needed to make lime cracker pie?

I like too whip the cream a little before mixing the lime juice into the cream mixture you can do this with a whisk or a stand mixer, I used an electric beater. You will need a large mixing bowl, spoons and a serving dish to set the pie (I used a 9 inch pie dish but you can set it in a loaf tin as well). I have used a microplane grater to zest the limes and knife to cut them so I could squeeze the juice.

How to make lime cracker pie?

We start by whipping the cream until soft peaks. Add the condensed milk and mix until combined. It will loosen up but thats fine. Add the lime juice, lime zest and stir well. Let this sit for 2 minutes. Layer the biscuits in one line at the bottom on the pie dish. Using an ice cream scoop dollop the cream which should be thicker now on the crackers and smooth it out. Add another layer of crackers and repeat with the cream. Do this one more time so you have 3 layers of crackers and cream. Top the pie with crushed crackers on the edge and add a little lime zest on top. Cover with cling wrap and place in the fired for a minimum of 2 hours before serving.

Variations and substitutes –

Gluten free:

To make this a gluten fee dessert use any gluten free cracker you like. It must be a flat, preferably flakey cracker that is salted. Follow the recipe as suggested and you are in gluten free town!

Vegan:

I have made a vegan version of this recipe with soya whipping cream and coconut condensed milk. IT WAS DELISH! Made sure to use a good dairy free whipping cream or else it will not firm up and set.

Margarita pie:

To make this an adult friendly dessert you can add 1 double shot of tequila and a tablespoon of orange liqueur to make this a margarita pie which is so good served with a little flaky sea salt on top.

Cheesecake pie:

Replace1/2 cup cream with cream cheese to make a lime cracker cheesecake cream pie.

Lemon pie:

Swap the lime for lemons and use berry am between the layers to make a lemon berry cream cracker pie.

Serving lime cracker pie?

I don’t do much to decorate the pie but a few crushed crackers on the edges makes for a delicious looking pie when serving. I also zest a little lime zest on top but I have served this with almond extract whipped cream piped on the edges/dolloped in the center. You can serve it as you like and honestly I have sliced/scooped/spooned this into glasses/bowls and plates. Hence serve it as you please.

Storing lime cracker pie?

This pie is a savior! You can make it the night before and serve it for brunch the next day. I have stored this dessert in the pie dish, covered with cling wrap in the fridge for up to 4 days and it was even better! The biscuits get more soggy and the cream gets more zesty (if that is possible) and it just tastes yummier! I do no recommend storing this in the freezer as it doesn’t defrost with this same texture. If you store this at room temperature it will not hold its shape as well (this depends on how hot/humid it is where you live). Basically the fridge is your friend here.

What have I done differently from Food 52’s Recipe?

Cream –

I used 1 1/2 cup of heavy cream this is a smaller portion but enough to feed 8 people comfortably

Condensed milk –

I used 1 can to make it. I like the sweetness to be balanced with the tartness so the one can here is plenty.

Lime juice –

I used 1/4 th cup lime juice which is a lot for the amount of cream but this is what makes the dessert so citrusy and fresh.

Now that we have covered how to make this Lime cracker cream pie you can have a look at the recipe video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more fun recipe inspiration.

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on pinterest & instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.

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