Valentina's Corner
This easy, no-bake recipe makes the most perfect key lime jars. These individual jars make the most gorgeous dessert, but the best part is the velvety, zesty key lime cream over a crisp graham cracker layer.
Our no-bake dessert recipes are great for a refreshing and delicious dessert on a hot summer day. Our peanut butter parfait is an easy mousse-based dessert, and our black forest cake is a no-bake cheesecake!
These no bake key lime pie jars are so easy to make! A graham crust is added to each jar and topped with a creamy lime filling. It’s as easy as that! These cups make a delicious and beautiful dessert that everyone is sure to love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun to make. Mini desserts like these key lime pies are so fun to assemble.
- Easy dessert. This dessert uses minimal ingredients and comes together so quickly.
- Party friendly. There’s no better way to serve these desserts than at a party. Not only are they adorable, they are the perfect single-serve dessert.
Ingredients for Key Lime Jars
- Crust – graham cracker crumbs mixed with melted butter.
- Cream cheese – softened cream cheese.
- Sweetened condensed milk – any brand works.
- Lime juice – freshly squeezed along with lime zest.
- Sugar – adds sweetness to balance the sour lime juice.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
All of the add-ins, substitutions, and different variations to the recipe you want to make.
- Fruit variations: You can substitute the lime for lemon for a slight flavor variation.
- Key lime dip: Turn this key lime pie into a sweet dip, like our cherry cheesecake dip.
How to Make Key Lime Jars
The easiest step-by-step instructions:
- Prepare the crust: In a bowl, combine crushed graham crackers with melted butter. Add the crumbs to the bottom of each jar and press down lightly.
- Make the filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with condensed milk with a mixer until it reaches a smooth and creamy texture. Add lime juice, zest, and sugar. Whip until well incorporated and soft peaks are formed.
- Assemble the jars: Top the graham crust in the jars with an even amount of the cream cheese mixture. You can also use a piping bag. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Serve: Garnish the jars with lime slices, zest, or whipped cream.
Expert Tips:
- Pie version – Recreate this recipe using a graham crust pie and fill it with the lime cream cheese mixture.
- Pro tip: Use a jar with a wide opening so that the dessert is easy to eat.
- Best dessert containers: Use plastic, single-use dessert containers for easy cleanup!
Serving Suggestions
Dessert table: Nothing screams wow like a gorgeous dessert table. These key lime pie jars hold a perfect spot next to a layered snickers cake and our homemade vanilla cupcakes.
Recipe FAQs
You can use mason jars or small dessert jars.
The refrigeration time allows the crust to soften, absorbing the incredible flavors from the cream.
The filling can be made in advance!
Thanks to the sugar, condensed milk, and cream cheese, these jars aren’t too sour! The flavors are perfectly balanced, and the result is a sweet, zesty dessert.
Store & Reheat
- Storage. Keep the leftover key lime jars in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- We don’t recommend freezing this dessert.
More Dessert Recipes
If you enjoyed this no-bake dessert recipe, be sure to try our other popular dessert recipes:
If you tried this key lime jar recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!
No Bake Key Lime Pie
Ingredients
crust-
- 2 cups graham cracker, crushed
- 8 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
pie-
- 12 oz cream cheese, room temp
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/3 cup lime juice
- 1 Tbsp lime zest
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. To each jar, add a layer of the graham crackers and press down lightly.
- In a large bowl, cream together cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. Mix in lime juice, lime zest, and sugar.
- Top off each jar with a generous spoonful of the cream mixture. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Garnish the jars with lime slices, zest, or whipped cream.
- Serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use a jar with a wide opening so that the dessert is easy to eat.
- Recreate this recipe using a graham crust pie and fill it with the lime cream cheese mixture.
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.