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Carlota de Limón, also known as postre de limón, is a refreshing and creamy Mexican icebox cake that is sure to please any dessert lover.
Along with mantecadas, this was my favorite dessert as a kid.
Made with key limes and layers of cookies, this easy dessert is made with a handful of ingredients and doesn’t require any baking.
This carlota dessert is made with Galletas Maria. Look for them in the Hispanic sections at the grocery stores or BUY ONLINE.
You can substitute them with butter cookies or graham crackers if you can’t find them.
Table of Contents
Origins
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.
Whoever the real inventor is left us with a delicious recipe.
Instructions
- To a blender, add sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and evaporated milk.
- Blend until smooth, and you achieve a creamy texture.
- Taste the milk mixture for good measure. It should taste like key lime pie.
I’m using the juice of about 10 key limes. If you are using regular limes, juice about 5-6. Be sure to remove any lime seeds that made it through the juicer holes.
Get a spoon and scrape out everything inside the can of sweetened condensed milk.
Along with the evaporated milk, that’s what gives this carlota de limón recipe its creamy consistency.
For a Creamier Texture:
You can also add cream cheese for a richer and creamier texture, but it’s not necessary.
- Next, get a large baking dish or casserole dish, and add about ¼ cup of the lime mixture, spreading it evenly using the back of a spoon.
- Then, add a layer of Maria cookies over the lime mixture, and pour a little bit more of the lime mixture on top, enough to cover the cookies.
- Continue layering the cookies and lime mixture until you run out of ingredients.
Mexican recipes don’t come any easier than this!
You might need to break the whole cookies to cover the entire surface of the baking dish.
Create layer after layer until there are no ingredients. I used almost 2 full sleeves.
- The top layer should be that of the lime mixture. That way, you can decorate the top.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 5 hours to allow the cookies to absorb the lime mixture.
I decorated the final layer with thin slices of lime and lime zest. Or, consider using a springform pan to show off the layers. Another way to show off the layers is to assemble it in a trifle dish.
Since you can make the “pastel carlota” ahead of time, consider making it for your next dinner party.
Serving
To serve, slice the cake into small squares. Serve cold. If you want to take it up a notch, serve with a drizzle of dulce de leche.
Very important! Do not take the Mexican lemon cake out of the fridge just ready to serve.
Storing Instructions
When storing, simply cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to five days.
More Mexican Desserts
Carlota de Limón is a classic Mexican dessert made with key limes and layers of cookies.
Easy to make, deliciously light and tangy, and can be made ahead of time. It’s a perfect dessert for any occasion.
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Carlota de Limón
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 ½ cup.
- With your spatula, spread evenly over the cookies.
- Add another layer of the Maria cookies.
- Add some of the lime mixtures. About ½ 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
Nutrition
This post was recently updated. You might remember the old pictures.
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.
I can’t wait to try this! I live on a sailboat in the Sea of Cortez. It’s way too hot to bake. This is perfect!
Carlota de Limon recipe is indeed a perfect choice for hot weather. Hope you enjoy!
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!
So glad you enjoyed this! Hope you try it
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!
It’s easy and delicious to make. Hope you try it!
Aww, aren’t grandmas the best. And this looks incredible! I’ve never heard of it before but I clearly need to try it.
Yes they are! Hope you try this recipe
Can we use yellow lemon
Yes. Traditionally Carlota de Limon is made with key limes, but yellow lemons work just as well.
I have tried a lot of ice box cakes but never one with flavors like this! This looks divine!!
Thanks! Hope you try this recipe
I love easy no-bake desserts! This one looks amazing and will be perfect for the Summer!
Great to hear that you like this Carlota de Limón! It’s definitely a perfect treat for summer. Enjoy making it!
Key Lime Pie is such a refreshing warm weather treat and one I look forward to making each season. Yours looks light and luscious..so simple to make too!
Key Lime Pie and Carlota de Limón are similar in that they both feature a tangy lime flavor and a creamy texture. Both are sooo good, hope you try this recipe!
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!
Glad you enjoyed this! Hope you try it
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!😋😍❤👌👍
They really are the best! Hope you try this recipe
Delicious, Simple and yet so unique and perfect. My family to love it.
Thanks! So glad you and your family enjoyed it!
I loved the contrast of sweet and sour. Great dessert. Thanks!
Isn’t the best? glad you liked it
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!
So glad you enjoyed this!