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Home » Recipes » Carlota de Limón + VIDEO

Carlota de Limón + VIDEO

Last Updated June 4, 2019. Originally Posted July 3, 2018 By Maggie Unzueta

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Carlota de Limón is a Mexican icebox cake made with a creamy lime mixture. Delicious, sweet, and no baking involved. It’s a perfect dessert for any time of the year.
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Carlota de Limon, a classic Mexican Dessert by Mama Maggie's Kitchen

Carlota de Limón is a Mexican icebox cake made with a creamy lime mixture. Delicious, sweet, and no baking involved. It’s a perfect dessert for any time of the year. Watch the VIDEO or follow along the step-by-step pictures below.

Carlota de Limón with slice of lime and fork

One time, as a kid, I came home from school. It had been a rough day, and all I wanted to do was veg in front of the TV. My grandma noticed my mood and said, “I was going to wait until after dinner, but maybe this will cheer you up.” She handed me a slice of Carlota de Limón. My grandma was the BEST!

Key Limes and Lime Juicer

It’s a very easy recipe. You need a lot of lime juice. In Mexico, we primarily use key limes for both savory and sweet recipes. I’m using 10 key limes. If you are using regular limes, juice about 5-6.

Can of Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk and blender

To a blender, add evaporated milk. This ingredient will give it a creamy texture. In the States, this is a cake. In Mexico, some people will refer to it as a “pay” or “pie.” I call GOOD!

Pouring Sweetened Condensed Milk into a blender

Now time for sweetened condensed milk. Get a spoon and make sure you scrape out everything inside. Good til the last drop!

Adding Lime Juice to a blender

Add the lime juice. Be sure to remove any seeds that made it through the juicer holes. Those little suckers are sneaky. Even when you think there are no seeds, there’s always one.

Hand holding down top of the blender

Blend to mix well.

Key Lime Mixture in a blender

Taste this mixture. It should taste like key lime pie.

Key Lime Mixture on Bottom of Plate

Next, get a large Pyrex plate. If you are making this for a fancy dinner, you can use a fancy serving plate or trifle dish. Add about ¼ cup of the lime mixture and spread evenly.

Galletas Marias with aluminum sleeve of cookies

Carlota de Limón is traditionally made with Galletas Marías. I’ve been in remote towns in Upstate New York and still been able to find them in the Hispanic or Latino section. If you can’t find them, you can substitute with butter cookies or graham crackers.

Maria Cookies in Pyrex Plate

Add a layer of Maria cookies on the plate over the lime mixture.

Key Lime Mixture over the Galletas Marias

Pour more lime mixture. Enough to cover the cookies. Use your spatula to help guide out the mixture from the blender and spread evenly.

Another layer of Galletas Marias

Add another layer of Maria cookies. You might need to break the cookies to cover the entire surface of the Pyrex plate.

Adding Layer of Key Lime Mixture

More lime mixture. There is no baking involved in making this Mexican dessert. Perfect for entertaining!

Pay de Galletas Marias

This is another layer of Maria cookies. Create layer after layer until there are no ingredients. I used almost 2 full sleeves.

Carlota de Limon in Pyrex Plate topped with lime zest and lime slices

The final layer should be that of the lime mixture. That way, you can decorate the top. Cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for 5 hours. You want everything to set, and the cookies to really absorb the yummy lime mixture.

Slice of Carlota de Limon on white plate next to plate of icebox cake

Carlota de Limón is not heavy, but deliciously light and slightly sour. Some people will add berries to make it look fancy. I decorated it with thin slices of lime and lime zest.

Layers inside Carlota de Limón

Look at those layers! The longer the Carlota de Limón sits in the fridge, the better the cookies will absorb the lime mixture.

Carlota de Limón on a White Plate

The Origins behind Carlota de Limón is a mystery!

Some say it was an alternation of the “charlotte russe” invented by the French chef, Marie-Antoine Carême, who named it after the wife of Zar Nicolai I.

While others say it was named after Charlotte, the wife of King George III of England and not French at all. Read more here.

Whoever the real inventor is, they left us with a recipe fit for a king.

Hope you enjoy this classic Mexican dessert!

Carlota de Limon with slice of lime and fork

Carlota de Limón

Carlota de Limón is a Mexican icebox cake made with a creamy lime mixture. Delicious, sweet, and no baking involved. It’s a perfect dessert for any time of the year.
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 5 hours
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 613kcal
Author: Maggie Unzueta

Ingredients

  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • Juice of 10 key limes or 5 limes
  • 2 packages Maria cookies

Instructions

  • Juice the limes and set aside.
  • To a blender, add the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and lime juice
  • Blend until smooth.
  • To a large Pyrex plate or decorative dish, add about ¼ cup of the lime mixture.
  • Add a layer of Maria cookies.
  • Break the cookies in half to cover the areas open areas.
  • Add some of the lime mixtures. About 1/2 cup.
  • With your spatula, spread evenly over the cookies.
  • Add another layer of the Maria cookies.
  • Add some of the lime mixtures. About 1/2 cup.
  • Using your spatula, spread the lime mixture.
  • Continue layering until there are no more ingredients left.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 5 hours.
  • Decorate with lime zest, slices of lime, or fruit.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Notes

 If you are using regular limes, juice about 5-6.
Get a spoon and make sure you scrape everything out of the blender.
If you can’t find Maria cookies, you can substitute with butter cookies or graham crackers.

Nutrition

Calories: 613kcal | Carbohydrates: 117g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 735mg | Potassium: 318mg | Sugar: 58g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 256mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

For More Mexican Desserts

Flan
Tres Leches Cake
Pan de Elote
Pumpkin Empanadas
Arroz con Leche
Capirotada
Pineapple Empanadas
Fresas con Crema
Easy Mexican Spiced Cookies
20 Best Mexican Desserts

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.


Filed Under: Desserts, Mexican, Recipes

About Maggie Unzueta

Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Krista

    July 1, 2019 at 6:36 am

    Okay I’m not sure this would be one of my favorite recipes, just knowing what I like and dislike, but appreciate sharing. Would make a great dessert to take to a party!

    Reply
  2. Anonymous

    November 13, 2019 at 10:26 am

    5 stars
    I thought it was named after “hospital la Carlota” in Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico! That’s where my mom learned to make it when she worked at the hospital.

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      December 2, 2019 at 5:05 pm

      Well, we have names for everything in Mexico. I’m sure there’s a dish out there named after where your mom worked. lol.

      Reply
  3. Lavanda Michelle

    February 15, 2021 at 5:16 pm

    Tht looks super delicious. I actually have most of the ingredients, so I’ll attempt to make this later in the week. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      February 18, 2021 at 1:14 pm

      Hope you try it! you”ll love it

      Reply
  4. Anosa Malanga

    February 18, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    I never thought that this is so easy to do. I need to check out limes here so I can try to make it. Can’t wait to try my very first limon/lime cake!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      February 24, 2021 at 1:21 pm

      Easy and delicious!

      Reply
  5. Bebe

    February 23, 2021 at 10:18 am

    making this as soon as it warms up. (Texass). i always have 2 Marias with my afternoon cuppa so have all the ingredients. thanks Maggie for another must make!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      March 10, 2021 at 8:43 am

      So glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply
  6. Marta

    April 19, 2021 at 5:05 pm

    5 stars
    I loved the contrast of sweet and sour. Great dessert. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 20, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      Isn’t the best? glad you liked it

      Reply
  7. veenaazmanov

    April 20, 2021 at 9:19 am

    5 stars
    Delicious, Simple and yet so unique and perfect. My family to love it.

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 20, 2021 at 4:04 pm

      Thanks! So glad you and your family enjoyed it!

      Reply
  8. Ramona

    April 22, 2021 at 10:36 am

    5 stars
    This recipe looks super delicious! I have never made this before and it looks nice and easy, so I will definitely give it a try. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 22, 2021 at 4:45 pm

      Glad you enjoyed this! Hope you try it

      Reply
    • Loreto and Nicoletta

      April 25, 2021 at 6:26 pm

      5 stars
      What a beautiful story. Are Grandmas just best ad you said, and my response is, ABSOLUTELY!❤
      This is a great dessert and you have definately inspired me today!
      Thank you!😋😍❤👌👍

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 27, 2021 at 10:01 am

        They really are the best! Hope you try this recipe

  9. Leslie

    April 24, 2021 at 8:28 am

    5 stars
    I have tried a lot of ice box cakes but never one with flavors like this! This looks divine!!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 27, 2021 at 11:19 am

      Thanks! Hope you try this recipe

      Reply
  10. Erin

    April 25, 2021 at 4:02 am

    Aww, aren’t grandmas the best. And this looks incredible! I’ve never heard of it before but I clearly need to try it.

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 27, 2021 at 11:19 am

      Yes they are! Hope you try this recipe

      Reply
  11. Moop Brown

    April 25, 2021 at 9:11 am

    5 stars
    I don’t think I’d ever heard of this recipe before but this dessert like really yummy and I love that it’s no-bake as well. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 27, 2021 at 11:15 am

      It’s easy and delicious to make. Hope you try it!

      Reply
  12. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

    April 25, 2021 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    Oh this sounds perfect for the summer on those hot days when you want something cool and sweet. I’m loving the sweet and tangy combination! Thank you so much for sharing! I know what I’m making for dessert tomorrow!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 27, 2021 at 11:14 am

      So glad you enjoyed this! Hope you try it

      Reply
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