Key Lime Pie Parfait Cup

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: Up to 2 hours
Total Time: 15 minutes, plus optional chilling
Servings: 2 parfait cups
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American-inspired
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the Key Lime Mousse

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice, preferably Key lime
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime zest, plus extra for garnish

For the Layers

• ¾ cup graham crackers or vanilla wafers, coarsely crushed

For Garnish

• 2 lime wheels
• Extra fresh lime zest
• A small amount of crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Whipped Cream

Place the heavy whipping cream in a chilled mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.

The whipped cream should be thick enough to hold its shape when the beaters are lifted. Be careful not to overbeat it, as excessive mixing can cause the cream to become grainy.

Set the whipped cream aside while preparing the key lime mixture.

Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture

Add the softened cream cheese to a separate mixing bowl.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the sweetened condensed milk, fresh lime juice, and 1 teaspoon of lime zest.

Continue mixing until the ingredients are completely combined and the mixture is smooth without visible lumps.

Using softened cream cheese is important because cold cream cheese can leave small lumps in the mousse.

Step 3: Combine the Mousse

Add approximately one-third of the whipped cream to the Key lime cream cheese mixture.

Gently fold it in with a spatula. Continue adding the remaining whipped cream in portions, folding carefully until the mixture becomes smooth, fluffy, and evenly combined.

Do not aggressively stir the mixture. Gentle folding helps maintain the airy texture of the whipped cream.

Step 4: Prepare the Mousse for Layering

Transfer the finished key lime mousse into a piping bag.

If you do not have a piping bag, use a clean zip-top bag and snip off a small corner.

This step is optional, but piping makes it much easier to create neat, attractive layers in clear dessert cups.

Step 5: Add the First Crumb Layer

Place approximately one-quarter of the crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers into the bottom of each dessert cup.

Lightly spread the crumbs into an even layer.

Do not pack the crumbs too tightly. A loose layer provides a pleasant contrast to the soft mousse.

Step 6: Add the Key Lime Mousse

Pipe or spoon a layer of Key lime mousse over the crushed crumbs.

Try to keep the mousse evenly distributed between the two cups.

Step 7: Continue Layering

Repeat the process by adding another layer of crushed crumbs followed by another layer of key lime mousse.

Continue alternating the layers until the cups are nearly full.

For the best presentation, keep the layers relatively even so that the graham cracker and mousse can both be clearly seen through the sides of the cups.

Step 8: Add the Garnish

Finish each parfait with a small sprinkle of crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers.

Add a little fresh lime zest over the top and place one lime wheel on each cup.

The lime garnish adds a fresh citrus appearance and makes these simple desserts look more elegant.

Step 9: Chill or Serve

The parfaits can be served immediately, but chilling them for up to 2 hours allows the flavours to come together and gives the mousse a slightly firmer texture.

Keep the parfait cups refrigerated until ready to serve.

Serve with a small dessert spoon and enjoy.

Notes

Fresh lime juice is recommended because it provides a brighter and more natural citrus flavour than bottled lime juice.

Key limes are traditionally associated with key lime pie, but regular Persian limes can also be used if key limes are unavailable. The flavour will be slightly different but still delicious.

The cream cheese should be softened before mixing. This helps create a smooth mousse without lumps.