Description
Carlota de Limón is a classic Mexican no-bake dessert made with layers of Maria cookies and a creamy lime mixture of condensed milk, evaporated milk, and cream cheese. Served chilled, it tastes similar to a refreshing key lime pie.
Ingredients
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
- 1 package Maria cookies (Galletas Marías)
- Extra fresh limes for garnish
- Crushed Maria cookies, for topping
- Lime zest, for garnish
Instructions
1. Place the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and lime juice in a blender and blend briefly until combined.
2. Stir the mixture with a spatula and add the cream cheese in pieces. Blend again until the mixture becomes smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
3. Spread a few tablespoons of the lime mixture on the bottom of an 8-inch baking dish.
4. Add a layer of Maria cookies, breaking some if needed to fit evenly in the dish.
5. Spread a layer of the lime cream mixture over the cookies and smooth it evenly.
6. Repeat the layering process with cookies and cream mixture until all ingredients are used.
7. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3–4 hours until set.
8. Before serving, top with crushed cookies, lime slices, and a sprinkle of lime zest.
Notes
Freshly squeezed lime juice provides the best flavor for this dessert.
If Maria cookies are not available, substitute with graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or similar biscuits.
For cleaner slices and a firmer texture, place the dessert in the freezer for 1–2 hours before serving.
Allowing the dessert to chill overnight improves the flavor and allows the cookies to soften perfectly.
You can experiment with other citrus juices such as lemon or orange for a different flavor variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake / Refrigerated
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 608 kcal
- Sugar: 45 g
- Sodium: 398 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg