Key Lime Cheesecake

My inspiration came from a love of both key lime pie and cheesecake, and a desire to create a dessert that would be both impressive and relatively straightforward to make. I envisioned a cheesecake that would be rich and creamy, with a pronounced key lime flavor that wasn’t overly sweet or tart.

My goal was to find a recipe that delivered that perfect balance of flavors and textures, creating a cheesecake that would be both satisfying to eat and relatively easy to prepare. This Key Lime Cheesecake seemed to fit the bill perfectly: a classic graham cracker crust, a creamy key lime filling, a simple whipped cream topping, and clear, easy-to-follow instructions.

This cheesecake will be a perfect special dessert.

Nostalgic Appeal

Key Lime Cheesecake, while a relatively modern dessert, taps into several nostalgic elements. Key lime pie itself is a classic dessert, often associated with Florida and the Florida Keys, evoking memories of warm weather, vacations, and tropical flavors.

Cheesecake, in its many forms, is a beloved dessert that’s often associated with special occasions, celebrations, and comforting, familiar flavors.

The graham cracker crust adds another layer of nostalgia, connecting the cheesecake to classic pies, icebox cakes, and childhood treats.

And the overall presentation of the cheesecake, with its creamy filling, crunchy crust, and simple whipped cream topping, evokes a sense of homemade goodness and classic dessert traditions.

Homemade Focus

This Key Lime Cheesecake recipe is a testament to the satisfaction of homemade baking. You’re taking basic ingredients – graham crackers, butter, cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, eggs, key lime juice, and vanilla – and transforming them into a beautiful and delicious dessert.

I appreciate recipes that prioritize homemade elements and allow for hands-on involvement, and this one certainly does. You’re making the graham cracker crust from scratch, beating the cream cheese filling, whipping the cream for the topping, and assembling the cheesecake layer by layer.

The use of a water bath for baking the cheesecake is a classic technique that ensures a creamy, evenly baked filling, preventing cracks and creating a smooth, luxurious texture.

And the homemade whipped cream topping, made with heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla, is far superior to anything store-bought, adding a light, airy, and subtly sweet finish that perfectly complements the cheesecake.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal of this Key Lime Cheesecake is a delightful balance of sweet, tart, and creamy flavors, with a pronounced key lime flavor that shines through. The graham cracker crust adds a contrasting crunchy texture and a subtly sweet, honey-like flavor. It’s a dessert that’s designed to be both refreshing and satisfying.

The graham cracker crust provides a crunchy, buttery base that complements the creamy filling.

The cream cheese forms the foundation of the filling, providing richness and a slightly tangy flavor.

The sour cream enhances the creamy texture of the filling and adds a subtle tanginess that complements the key lime.

The granulated sugar provides sweetness, balancing the tartness of the key lime juice.

The eggs bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cheesecake’s rich and creamy texture.

The vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor, adding a warm, aromatic note.

The key lime zest and key lime juice are the stars of the show, delivering a vibrant, tangy, and refreshing citrus flavor that permeates the entire cheesecake.

The whipped cream topping, made with heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla, adds a light, airy, and subtly sweet finish that balances the richness of the cheesecake.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s explore the ingredients list. We’ll skip exact measurements here, focusing on the why behind each ingredient.

For the Crust:

Nonstick cooking spray:

Graham cracker crumbs:

Unsalted butter, melted:

Granulated sugar:

Kosher salt:

For the Filling:

Cream cheese, room temperature: Room temperature is essential for a smooth, lump-free filling.

Sour cream, room temperature:

Granulated sugar:

All-purpose flour: A small amount of flour helps to stabilize the cheesecake and prevent cracking.

Kosher salt:

Large eggs, room temperature:

Vanilla extract:

Key lime zest or lime zest:

Key lime juice: Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled key lime juice can be used in a pinch.

For the Topping:

Heavy whipping cream: This must be cold for proper whipping.

Granulated sugar:

Vanilla extract:

Key lime zest or lime zest, to garnish:

Key lime slices, to garnish:

These are classic cheesecake ingredients.

Essential Equipment

Here’s what you will need.

A 9-inch springform pan: This is essential for creating the shape of the cheesecake and for easy removal.

Heavy-duty foil: For wrapping the springform pan to prevent leaks in the water bath.

A large roasting pan: For the water bath.

A stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and whisk attachment (or a hand mixer and large bowls):

Medium bowl:

A wire rack:

Measuring cups and spoons.

This is a basic list.

List of Ingredients with Measurements

Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:

For the Crust:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

For the Filling:

• 4 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 2 tsp. key lime zest or lime zest
• 1/3 cup key lime juice

For the Topping:

• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• Key lime zest or lime zest, to garnish
• Key lime slices, to garnish

These are perfect quantities.

Gather all ingredients before you start.