46 Key Lime Recipes That Go Way Beyond the Classic Pie

If I had to choose between chocolate and key lime, I'm picking the lime every single time.

There is just something about that sharp acidity that hits the back of your jaw. It's a great balance between the citrus punch and the creamy sweetness of condensed milk. It's refreshing, it's bright, and it's addictive.

While the classic pie is the standard for summer desserts, I've looked for every possible way to use this flavor.

From "no-bake" recipes for hot days to donuts that make breakfast 100% better, here are 46 ways to get your key lime fix. (And yes, you can use regular limes for most of these. I won't tell if you won't!)

Pies & Tarts

1. Classic Key Lime Pie

Okay so this is obviously where we have to start. The original.

You can make it with regular Persian limes from the supermarket and it tastes just as authentic as using actual key limes, which is amazing news because those tiny key limes are hard to find and a pain to juice.

The tangy, creamy filling on that buttery graham cracker crust feels like summer. I've made this more times than I can count, and it disappears fast.

2. Mini Key Lime Pies with Coconut Macaroon Crust

Coconut and lime are a great combination, and these prove it.

The coconut macaroon crust adds a tropical twist that party guests will love, and they're portioned so nobody has to commit to a whole slice.

I made these for a spring shower and they were gone in minutes. The coconut crust is delicious.

3. Gingersnap Key Lime Pie

If you want to shake up the classic, swap the graham crackers for gingersnaps. The spicy heat of the ginger cuts right through the tartness of the lime for a flavor profile that feels a little more grown-up.

To keep the crust from getting soggy, pre-bake it for about 10 minutes before adding the filling. The crunch is essential against the smooth custard.

I served this at Thanksgiving as a lighter alternative to pumpkin pie, and it was the first plate emptied.

4. No-Bake Key Lime Pie

For those days when you cannot deal with turning on the oven but still need dessert ASAP.

This no-bake dessert has a graham cracker crust and a light, tangy filling made from key lime juice, cream cheese, and sweetened condensed milk.

It sets in the fridge. Boom, you've got pie without breaking a sweat. This is my summer standby when it's 95 degrees outside.

5. Key Lime Tartlets

These mini tarts are adorable and delicious.

You whisk egg yolks with sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, sugar, and lime zest until smooth, then bake in little tart shells.

They're ready in less than 20 minutes, and they're the right size when you want key lime pie but don't want to commit to a whole slice.

6. Key Lime Slab Pie

When you are feeding a crowd, a standard 9-inch round pie just isn't enough. A slab pie is baked in a sheet pan, giving you more squares and a better crust-to-filling ratio.

Use a food processor to crush enough graham crackers for the larger surface area; you want a thick base to hold the sliceable bars.

I bring this to potlucks because you can get 24 slices out of one pan. It's efficient and just as delicious as the round version.

Bars

7. Key Lime Pie Bars

These are basically key lime pie but way easier to serve at parties. You don't have to worry about slicing perfect pieces.

They're smooth with a sharp, tangy, bright flavor, and the graham cracker crust is well balanced with the filling.

I love making these when I need to bring dessert somewhere because they're so portable and everyone goes crazy for them.

8. White Chocolate Key Lime Blondies

Blondies are usually just sweet, but adding lime zest makes them pop. The density of the bar pairs nicely with pockets of melting white chocolate and a lime glaze.

Don't overbake these; you want them slightly fudgy in the center so the citrus oils keep the crumb moist.

These are my "I'm having a bad day" treat. They are dense, chewy, and so comforting.

9. Margarita Bars (Key Lime)

Happy hour meets dessert. I love it.

A creamy lime filling with a splash of tequila and orange liqueur sits atop a buttery graham cracker crust. Garnish with flaky salt and lime zest and you've got yourself a party.

You can also make them alcohol-free, but the boozy version is fun for adult gatherings.

10. Key Lime Cheesecake Bars

Making a full cheesecake in a water bath is stressful; these bars are the easy solution. You get the same creamy, tangy flavor without the cracking anxiety.

Chill them completely before slicing to get those clean, professional edges. A knife dipped in hot water helps slice through the rich cheese cleanly.

It's the best of both worlds: hand-held portability with cheesecake richness.

Cakes & Cheesecakes

11. Key Lime Cheesecake

If regular cheesecake and key lime pie had a baby, this would be it.

It has all the tangy goodness of key lime pie but with that classic creamy richness of cheesecake, and the graham cracker crust ties it all together.

Top it with freshly whipped cream and lime zest, and suddenly you've got a fancy dessert. It's what I make for special occasions.

12. Key Lime Poke Cake

This is the moistest cake you will ever eat, period. You bake a white cake, poke holes all over it, and pour a mixture of condensed milk and lime juice straight into the sponge.

Do the poking while the cake is still warm so it absorbs every drop of the liquid. Top with whipped topping for a light finish.

It looks like a normal cake until you take a bite and realize it's soaked in citrusy goodness. It's a potluck superhero.

13. Key Lime Pound Cake

This is the kind of cake that makes you look like you really know what you're doing in the kitchen.

It's dense, buttery, and loaded with that bright citrus flavor. The key lime zest and juice in the cake give it a fresh flavor that's great with your afternoon coffee or tea.

I love making this for brunches because it feels special without being complicated.

14. Coconut Key Lime Bundt Cake

Bundt cakes are great because the pan does the decorating for you. This one is dense and rich, with shredded coconut in the batter for texture.

Pour the lime glaze over the cake while it's on the cooling rack so the excess drips off nicely rather than pooling at the bottom.

It's elegant enough for a centerpiece but sturdy enough to survive a car ride.

15. Copycat Cheesecake Factory Mango-Key Lime Cheesecake

If you've ever had this at Cheesecake Factory and wondered if you could make it at home, you can.

It's got creamy mango and key lime cheesecake, a layer of mango mousse, and a layer of mango glaze, all sitting in a vanilla-coconut crust.

Is it a bit involved? Yes.

Is it worth every single second? Yes. It's become my favorite birthday cake.

16. Key Lime Pie Cake (Petit Fours Style)

These are so cute and great for picnics or potlucks!

These individual treats layer moist vanilla cake with a tangy lime syrup and creamy lime filling, topped with whipped cream, toasted macadamia nuts, and a slice of fresh lime.

They're as beautiful as they are tasty, and people will think you're a professional baker. Pack them up and watch them disappear.

17. Key Lime Tres Leches Cake

This cake is something else.

It's a spongy cake gently soaked in a trio of creamy milks, infused with tangy key limes.

The key lime filling on top takes it to another level. It combines the best of both desserts. Make this for your next celebration and watch everyone enjoy it.

18. Key Lime Angel Food Cake

If you want cloud-like texture with a punch of flavor, fold lime zest into your egg whites. It transforms a standard angel food cake into something zesty and aromatic.

Cool the cake upside down to ensure it stays fluffy and doesn't collapse. Serve with fresh berries for a light, guilt-free dessert.

This is what I make when I want something sweet but don't want that heavy, full feeling after dinner.

Cookies, Cupcakes & Donuts

19. Key Lime Cupcakes

These are like eating a little key lime pie in cupcake form.

They're soft, fluffy, and packed with lime flavor, topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting that has even more lime.

I made these for a summer BBQ last year and people literally asked if I'd take orders. They're that good. Plus they're so pretty with that green swirl!

20. Key Lime Crinkle Cookies

These cookies are soft, cakey, and coated in powdered sugar that cracks beautifully as they bake. The contrast of the white sugar against the pale green interior is stunning.

Add a drop of green food coloring if you really want that vibrant "lime" look, otherwise, they bake up a natural golden color.

They are soft and tender, almost like the top of a muffin.

21. Key Lime Cookies

If you love key lime pie but want something you can eat with your hands (no fork required!), these are your answer.

They're soft and chewy with a refreshing, slightly tart flavor of key limes, and that lime glaze on top? It's just right.

I keep a batch of these in my freezer because they're great for when you need a quick sweet fix. They're also ridiculously easy. No chilling is required!

22. White Chocolate Key Lime Cookies

The combination of white chocolate and citrus is great, you guys.

These cookies combine vibrant lime with creamy white chocolate for thick, chewy cookies that are addictive.

The white chocolate chips melt slightly when they're fresh from the oven and it's just tasty. If you love coconut, add some coconut extract and coconut flakes. It makes a huge difference.

23. Key Lime French Macarons

Feeling ambitious? These delicate French cookies are filled with a key lime curd buttercream that is out of this world.

Make sure to age your egg whites to get the shell just right. The tart filling is essential to cut through the sweetness of the almond meringue shells.

They look like jewels in a bakery window. If you pull these off, you win the dessert game.

24. Baked Key Lime Donuts

Donuts for breakfast that taste like key lime pie? Sign me up.

These baked donuts combine Greek yogurt with key lime juice and zest, then get topped with a tangy key lime glaze and crushed graham crackers.

They're soft, cakey, and taste like you're eating dessert at 8 AM (which you are, and I fully support it). Way easier than frying, too!

25. Key Lime Snowball Cookies

Also known as wedding cookies, these buttery balls melt in your mouth. The addition of lime zest to the dough and the powdered sugar coating gives them a fresh kick.

Roll them in powdered sugar twice: once while hot to create a sticky base, and once when cool for the fluffy white finish.

They are messy to eat, but totally worth the powdered sugar on your shirt.

26. Glazed Key Lime Scones

Scones can sometimes be dry, but the acidity in the lime juice tenderizes the dough, keeping these flaky and moist.

Pour the glaze over them while they are still slightly warm so it seeps into the cracks. A great companion to a morning iced tea.

I make a batch on Sunday and grab them for breakfast all week long.

Frozen Key Lime Desserts

27. Key Lime Pie Popsicles

Summer just got a whole lot better.

These turn all the flavors you know and love into a frozen treat, complete with a graham cracker crust. It's basically frozen pie on a stick.

I make these every single summer and my kids fight over them. The best part? They take like 5 minutes to prep and then the freezer does all the work.

28. Refreshing Key Lime Sorbet

If you are dairy-free or just want something icy rather than creamy, this sorbet is a palate cleanser extraordinaire. It is intensely tart and sweet.

You need an ice cream maker to get it super smooth, but the effort is minimal. It tastes like a frozen margarita without the hangover.

It's so vibrant it almost glows in the bowl.

29. Key Lime Popsicles (3-Ingredient)

The easiest popsicles you'll ever make, and they taste great.

Made with only 3 ingredients: limeade, vanilla Greek yogurt, and lime zest. They're refreshing, sweet, and slightly tangy with a nice balance.

The Greek yogurt makes them creamy instead of icy, and you can feel good about giving them to your kids because they're basically healthy.

30. Chocolate Dipped Frozen Key Lime Pie Bars

Think of these as the upscale version of a Klondike bar. You freeze a slice of pie solid, dip it in magic shell chocolate, and put it on a stick.

Use a high-quality chocolate for the shell; the snap when you bite into it is the most satisfying texture contrast against the creamy filling.

It's a fun project to do with kids, although it can get messy!

31. Key Lime Pie Ice Cream

Ice cream that tastes like key lime pie with actual graham cracker pieces? Yes please.

It's smooth with a sharp, tangy, bright flavor, and the graham cracker crumbs add that satisfying crunch.

This recipe doesn't require cooking a custard base. You just mix everything, churn it, and you're done. Summer in a bowl!

32. Key Lime Yogurt Bark

This is a healthy snack hack. Spread lime-infused Greek yogurt on a tray, top with graham crumbs and pistachios, and freeze.

Break it into jagged shards for a grab-and-go treat. It melts on your tongue and gives you that key lime fix with plenty of protein.

I keep a bag of this in the freezer for when I need a sweet treat but want to stay healthy.

33. Key Lime Pie Milkshake

Have some leftover pie? Throw a whole slice into the blender with some vanilla ice cream and milk. I am not kidding.

The crust gets blended in, adding a gritty, malty texture that is so good. It's thick, rich, and totally indulgent.

It's the best way to use up that last lonely slice that isn't quite big enough to serve to a guest.

Creamy & No-Bake Desserts

34. Key Lime Pie Mousse

When you want all the flavors of key lime pie but don't want to turn on the oven, this is your move.

These mini desserts are adorable and shareable, great when you're not in the mood to make a whole pie.

Light, airy, and tangy. It's refreshing and light. I serve these in little cups at dinner parties and people are always impressed.

35. Baked Key Lime Pie Pudding

This is the dessert that will make everyone at your dinner party happy.

It's creamy and citrus-packed, served warm from the oven with a dusting of confectioners' sugar, a dollop of homemade whipped cream, and toasty graham cracker crumbs.

It's impressive yet simple. The warm, comforting aspect makes it good for cooler evenings.

36. Key Lime Pie Fluff (Dip)

This is dangerous stuff. It's a dip made of cream cheese, whipped topping, lime juice, and marshmallow fluff.

Serve it with graham crackers, pretzels, or vanilla wafers. Great for pool parties where you want something casual and grazable.

Warning: You will stand over the bowl and eat half of it without realizing.

37. Cool and Creamy Key Lime Dessert

This is one of those retro desserts that deserves way more love.

A nutty crust complements the cool and creamy citrus filling in this make-ahead dessert that you can whip up and keep in the fridge until you're ready to serve.

It's great for summer gatherings when you need something refreshing that won't heat up your kitchen.

38. No-Bake Key Lime Pie Dessert Shooters

These little guys are great for parties.

You can make the crumbs and the key lime pie filling the day before and assemble the day of, which is a lifesaver when you're hosting.

They're customizable too. Layer the graham cracker crumbs however you want. I use a piping bag to make them look extra fancy, and guests always enjoy them.

39. Key Lime Pie Fudge

Fudge doesn't always have to be chocolate. This white chocolate-based fudge is spiked with lime zest and has a graham cracker crust bottom.

It's very sweet, so cut the squares small. The texture is dense and smooth, melting away to leave that zesty lime aftertaste.

It's a great addition to a holiday tin if you want to break up the monotony of chocolate and peppermint.

40. Luscious Key Lime Dessert (Crowd Size)

When you need to feed a crowd and don't want to make 47 individual desserts, this is your answer.

It's a cool and creamy dessert for a crowd that can be made the day ahead, with an easy cookie crust made from a mix.

You just cut it into squares and serve. I made this for a family reunion and it served 20 people. Everyone asked for the recipe!

41. Key Lime Pie Trifle

Trifles are my favorite, and this one is no exception.

With fluffy cubes of angel food cake, tart and tangy key lime cream filling, and buttery bits of graham cracker crumble, every single spoonful is delicious.

It's basically key lime pie in trifle form, only better. Plus it looks great in a glass bowl.

42. Key Lime Chia Pudding

For a healthier take that works for breakfast or dessert, infuse coconut milk with lime zest before mixing in the chia seeds.

Top it with crushed graham crackers right before eating to get the full "pie" effect. The coconut milk adds a tropical vibe that goes well with the lime.

It's refreshing, guilt-free, and super easy to meal prep.

Other Key Lime Desserts

43. Dark Chocolate Key Lime Pie Truffles

These truffles are so fancy and taste like something from a high-end chocolate shop.

You heat cream with lime zest, let it infuse for 30 minutes, then combine with white chocolate to make a silky ganache filling that gets covered in dark chocolate.

They're smooth, tangy, sweet, and really good. Make a batch and suddenly you're the friend everyone wants at their party.

44. Key Lime Bread with Glaze

Quick breads are popular in my kitchen right now, and this one is great.

Made with key lime juice and zest, this glazed loaf tastes like a little slice of sunshine, turning out soft and moist like banana bread.

That key lime glaze on top? Don't even think about skipping it. It's what takes this from good to amazing.

45. Key Lime Pie Popcorn

Hear me out on this one. Popcorn drizzled with lime-infused white chocolate and tossed with graham cracker dust.

It sounds weird, but it is addictive. The salty popcorn, sweet chocolate, and tart lime hit all the right notes.

It is the snack for movie night when you are bored of plain butter.

46. Key Lime Mojito

Okay technically this is a drink but it's basically dessert in a glass so it counts!

The tart juice of key limes makes the mojito a bit sharper and more citrusy, and the cream makes it taste like a creamy slice of key lime pie.

I made these for a summer party last year and had to make three more batches. They're really good.