Carlota de Limón (Lime Charlotte Icebox Cake)

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Lime Charlotte, also known as Carlota de Limón, postre de limón, Charlotte Russe, or Mexican Lime Icebox Cake, is an easy lime icebox cake that is a delicious no-bake, classic Mexican Dessert. 

No baking, just tangy layers of creamy lime filling over Maria cookies, then refrigerate or freeze for a deliciously refreshing summer Mexican Dessert.

If you like my Key Lime Pie, Zesty Lime Bars, Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars, and Stained Glass Jello Dessert, you'll love this easy make ahead, no-bake, light, and creamy summer dessert! Served cold, it has that creamy goodness inside, and is wrapped in crunchy cookies on the outside!

I was introduced to Carlota de Limon, years ago at a party my friend hosted. It was the first time I had tasted this luscious, heavenly lime dessert, and I was hooked! I had to have the Lime Charlotte recipe.

It is a creamy lime icebox cake, with layers of cookies, that is almost like a lime cheesecake. My friend told me that her family served it at holidays, parties, and as a spring and summer dessert. It’s a perfect cool, creamy easy dessert that’s perfect for our hot South Texas summers.

What Is Lime Charlotte?

Lime Charlotte is an original French dessert, called Charlotte Russe, that has made its way into the Mexican culture.  

Lime Charlotte, or Carlota de Limon, which is also called Postre Limon, (Mexican Lime Dessert), or Pastel Carlota, is quite a popular Mexican Summer Dessert, like my Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars and somewhat similar to key lime pie. It is one of the most popular among all our Mexican Recipes, especially Mexican Dessert Recipes, period! It tastes that good! 

And, as you see it is a dessert with many names! No matter what you call it, it is a mouthwateringly delicious lime dessert. For my long-time readers, you know I love desserts, especially no-bake desserts like these 15 Icebox Cakes!

How To Make Lime Charlotte Icebox Cake

Equipment

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• Round 9-inch Spring-Form Pan – I like using this because it makes it easier to remove the cake.
• Blender or a hand mixer – Either is needed to mix the filling.

Lime Charlotte Icebox Cake Ingredients

Below I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions in case you don't have a specific ingredient on hand. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.

• Maria cookies - These are subtly sweet, thin little cookies found in the Mexican aisle of the grocery store. You can use graham crackers or digestive cookies instead if you wish. You could also use any non-iced cookie of your choice.
• Cream cheese - I use regular cream cheese, but you can use Neufchâtel, or light cream cheese instead.
• Evaporated milk - You will need a full can of evaporated milk.
• Sweetened condensed milk - I recommend using a good brand for this recipe so it will be smooth.
• Knox gelatin - This is unflavored gelatin and helps the cream mixture jell up.
• Vanilla extract - Although this is not a traditional ingredient, I like to use it because of the flavor it adds.
• Lime zest - This adds an extra zing to the dessert.

Directions

1. Mix the Gelatin.
   1. Pour the cold water into a small bowl and add the gelatine.  Let sit while you mix the other ingredients.
2. Make The Filling.
   1. In a blender combine the cream cheese, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and vanilla. Blend for 30 seconds or until well blended and smooth. Pour the creamy mixture into a bowl. 
   2. Place the gelatin in the microwave for 15 seconds or until melted.
   3. Slowly pour the gelatin into the milk mixture while stirring well to combine.  It should begin to thicken quickly.
3. Assemble the Icebox Cake.
   1. Place a layer of cookies on the bottom of the round pan. 
   2. Pour a layer of the milk over the cookies and spread evenly. 
   3. Place another layer of cookies over the milk layer and repeat until all the milk mixture has been used.  Do not top with cookies.
   4. Sprinkle the top with lime zest.
4. Refrigerate.
   1. Cover with tinfoil and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Recipe Tips

• For this dessert you will be layering the cookies, then milk, then cookies, and repeating.  You can do very thin layers of the milk and get more cookie layers in, or you can make the milk mixture thicker and do only 2 or three cookie layers.  
• The top layer should be the milk mixture.
• Be sure to use pure vanilla extract and not imitation extract. If you have Mexican vanilla, I would recommend using that.
• You can decorate this any way you wish with candied lime slices, more cookies, cookies around the edges, you can be as creative as you want.
• You can make this in a springform pan and then unmold and put cookies around the edges.  Or you can line the pan with parchment paper and then lift the dessert out of the pan.

What To Serve With Lime Charlotte Icebox Cake?

Lime Charlotte is a delicious, creamy lime dessert. An icebox cake that is served cold. So it can be served at a holiday dinner, a party or potluck, or anytime you want a cold, creamy dessert!

• Skillet Chicken Fajitas
• Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
• Fresh Peach Salsa
• Cucumber Tomato Salad (with a Mexican Twist)
• Homemade Tortilla Chips
• Spicy Peach Margarita
• 20 Refreshing Cocktails for Summer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Can I Make Lime Charlotte Icebox Cake Ahead of Time?
  • Basically, since this dessert requires refrigeration before serving, you’ll have to make it several hours ahead of when you will be serving it.
• How do I store leftovers?
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.  I do not recommend freezing this dessert.  The milk will not freeze well.
  • The cookies will get soggy the longer they sit as well, so this is best eaten immediately.

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Easy Grasshopper Pie
• Southern Banana Pudding Parfaits
• Strawberry Mini Pavlova 
• Creme Brûlée
• Strawberry Margarita Pie
• Honey Lime Fruit Salad

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