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Carlota de Limón, also known as Mexican Lime Icebox Cake, is a creamy, tangy, no-bake dessert made with layers of Maria cookies and a luscious lime-infused filling. With only 4 simple ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time, it’s the perfect effortless treat for Cinco de Mayo, summer parties, or any day you want a cool and refreshing dessert with a citrusy twist.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

½ cup fresh lime juice (from 4–5 limes)
12 oz evaporated milk
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
2 sleeves Mexican Maria cookies (6 oz each)

Optional Whipped Cream Topping:

1½ cups heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp cream of tartar
Garnishes: lime zest, crushed cookies, twisted lime slices

Directions

Blend Filling:
In a blender, combine evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and fresh lime juice. Blend until smooth and thickened to a pudding-like consistency.
Layer the Cake:
In an 8×8-inch square baking dish, spread a thin layer of the lime cream. Top with a single layer of Maria cookies, breaking as needed to fill gaps. Spread about ½ cup of the cream over the cookies. Repeat layers, ending with cream on top (aim for 3 cookie layers total).
Chill:
Gently tap the dish on the counter to release air bubbles and ensure the cream surrounds the cookies. Cover and refrigerate for at least 5 hours, or overnight, until fully set.
Optional Topping:
Whip cream with powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. Pipe over the chilled cake and garnish with lime zest, cookie crumbs, and lime slices.
Serve:
Slice and serve chilled. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 2 days for best texture.

Nutrients (per serving, approx. 9 servings)

Calories: 206 kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 26mg
Sodium: 117mg
Potassium: 284mg
Sugar: 29g
Calcium: 226mg
Iron: 0.3mg
Vitamin C: 2mg

A Beloved Dessert with Deep Mexican Roots

Although it’s inspired by European charlottes and icebox cakes, Carlota de Limón has become a staple of Mexican cuisine in its own right. It’s a common sight at family gatherings, birthday parties, holidays, and Sunday lunches. Part of its appeal lies in its accessibility; it doesn’t require an oven or fancy tools, making it a go-to recipe for all ages and skill levels.

Carlota’s connection to everyday life and special occasions alike gives it an enduring charm. It’s the kind of dessert a grandmother might teach her grandchild to make, and one that’s just as welcome at a festive table as it is on a quiet weekday evening.

Limes: The Soul of Carlota

What defines this dessert more than anything is the bold, refreshing flavor of lime. The juice adds brightness, acidity, and depth that cut through the richness of the milks in the filling. In Mexican cooking, lime isn’t just a garnish—it’s a foundational flavor. In Carlota, its presence is unmistakable, balancing sweet and tart with each creamy bite.

The fresh lime juice also plays a practical role in the recipe by thickening the filling through a natural reaction with the milk. This gives Carlota its signature texture: smooth, firm enough to slice, yet luxuriously soft and creamy.

The Creamy Filling: Simple but Powerful

Carlota’s filling is made by blending just three pantry staples: sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and fresh lime juice. The condensed milk adds sweetness and silkiness, while the evaporated milk lightens the texture just enough to keep it from feeling too heavy. Blending these ingredients together results in a luscious, pudding-like cream that sets beautifully when chilled.

What makes this filling particularly magical is the way it thickens almost instantly once the lime juice is added. No gelatin or thickeners are needed—just the natural chemistry of acidic lime and dairy. It’s a culinary trick that yields amazing results with almost no effort.

Maria Cookies: The Essential Layer

No Carlota is complete without the classic Maria cookie. These thin, lightly sweetened biscuits are a pantry staple throughout Latin America and play a crucial role in the structure and texture of the dessert. When layered with the lime cream, they soften just enough to create a cake-like consistency, while still offering a bit of body between bites.

As the dessert chills, the cookies absorb the lime filling, becoming tender without losing their integrity. The result is a beautiful blend of textures—silky cream interlaced with layers that mimic sponge cake. Their neutral flavor complements the citrusy filling perfectly, letting the lime shine while grounding the dessert with a subtle cookie note.

No Oven, No Problem

One of Carlota de Limón’s greatest advantages is that it’s a completely no-bake dessert. It requires only a blender and a refrigerator—no oven, stovetop, or special equipment. This makes it perfect for hot days when you don’t want to turn on the oven or for moments when you need to whip up something quickly without a lot of prep or cleanup.

From start to finish, the entire process takes about 10 minutes of active time. Once assembled, the cake simply chills in the refrigerator until it’s fully set—usually within five hours, though overnight is even better for texture and flavor development.

Perfect for Celebrations and Everyday Treats

Carlota de Limón is the ideal dessert for Cinco de Mayo, summer barbecues, or any festive gathering. Its bright flavor and cool texture make it an instant hit with guests, while its make-ahead nature frees you up to focus on other elements of entertaining. You can also dress it up for presentation with toppings like whipped cream, crushed cookies, lime zest, or twisted lime slices.

Yet Carlota isn’t reserved only for celebrations. It’s equally at home as a weeknight indulgence or a weekend project with the kids. Its ease of preparation and crowd-pleasing flavor make it one of those rare desserts that fits every occasion—big or small.

Family-Friendly and Versatile

Thanks to its short ingredient list and no-bake process, Carlota is wonderfully kid-friendly, both in preparation and in flavor. Children often enjoy layering the cookies or pouring the blended cream, and they’ll definitely appreciate the refreshing taste and creamy consistency once it’s chilled and ready to eat.

The recipe is also easy to adapt. Want more texture? Add crushed nuts or shredded coconut between layers. Prefer a lighter version? Substitute part of the evaporated milk with Greek yogurt. You can even experiment with different citrus fruits—key limes, lemons, or even oranges—to give the dessert a new twist while keeping the structure intact.

Topped for Extra Wow Factor

Though Carlota is lovely on its own, a whipped cream topping takes it to the next level. Homemade whipped cream—lightly sweetened and flavored with a hint of vanilla—adds a luxurious touch and a visual contrast to the pale green lime filling. A dusting of lime zest, a few crushed cookies, or a twist of citrus peel can elevate the presentation even further, making Carlota look as impressive as it tastes.

For those wanting a more structured dessert, piping whipped cream in decorative patterns adds bakery-level polish without much extra effort.

Cool, Creamy, and Crave-Worthy

There’s something uniquely satisfying about a dessert that’s chilled, creamy, and citrusy all at once. Carlota de Limón hits all the right notes—it’s sweet but not cloying, rich but not heavy, and tangy without being sour. Each forkful is refreshing, familiar, and just a little indulgent. It’s the kind of dish that disappears quickly at gatherings, often followed by requests for the recipe.

For those who grew up eating Carlota, the first bite is a nostalgic return to childhood. For newcomers, it’s a delightful discovery—proof that great desserts don’t have to be complicated to be memorable.

Conclusion: A Zesty Tradition Made Simple

Carlota de Limón is a shining example of how minimal ingredients and simple techniques can yield a truly exceptional dessert. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, cooling off on a summer afternoon, or just craving something sweet and citrusy, this no-bake treat delivers. With its creamy lime filling, tender cookie layers, and easy prep, Carlota is proof that you don’t need to turn on the oven to make something special.

Refreshing, quick, and absolutely delicious, this Mexican Lime Icebox Cake is a dessert that everyone should try at least once—and likely fall in love with for life.

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