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Lime Chiffon Pie is a refreshing, no-bake dessert that strikes the perfect balance between tangy and creamy. With a buttery cookie crust and a whipped cream-cheese-lime filling, this pie is a dreamy cross between a no-bake cheesecake and a citrus cream pie. It’s smooth, airy, and packed with fresh lime flavor—perfect for spring and summer gatherings, or anytime you crave something light, zesty, and easy to make.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Crust:

2 cups (250g) digestive cookies, graham crackers, or Golden Oreos (cream removed)
⅓ cup (80g) melted unsalted or salted butter

For the Filling:

1 (8 oz / 226g) brick full-fat cream cheese
Zest of 4–5 limes
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
¼ cup (35g) powdered sugar
¼ cup (60g) fresh lime juice (add more for stronger lime flavor)
2 cups (480g) heavy cream
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp fine sea salt
Green food coloring (optional)

Directions

Make the Crust:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8″ round cake pan with parchment paper (a square pan also works).
Grind cookies in a food processor to fine crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse until mixture resembles wet sand.
Press crumbs into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool completely.
Prepare the Filling:
Clean the food processor bowl. Add cream cheese, lime zest, and granulated sugar. Process until smooth and lump-free.
Add lime juice, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Process again, scraping down the sides.
Pour in heavy cream and process on high until thickened to a whipped cream consistency (about 3–7 minutes). Add green food coloring if desired.
Assemble the Pie:
Pour the filling into the cooled crust. Smooth the top and chill for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, until set.
Serve:
Top with extra lime zest, lime curd, or macerated strawberries if desired. Slice and serve cold. Store leftovers in the fridge.

Nutrients (Per serving, estimated for 8 servings)

Calories: ~410
Fat: ~33g
Saturated Fat: ~20g
Carbohydrates: ~26g
Sugar: ~18g
Protein: ~4g
Fiber: ~1g
Sodium: ~150mg
Vitamin C: ~20% DV
Calcium: ~8% DV

The Crust: Buttery, Crisp, and Customizable

The foundation of this pie is its cookie crust, which offers both structure and flavor. A classic graham cracker or digestive biscuit base is mixed with melted butter and pressed into the pan to form a firm, golden-brown shell. You can also use Golden Oreos (with the cream removed) for a sweeter twist or even vanilla wafers to play up the pie’s creamy notes.

This crust brings a light crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, velvety filling. Once baked briefly, it holds together well and creates the perfect vehicle for the airy lime mousse. Its mild sweetness and toasty flavor balance out the tartness of the lime without overpowering it.

Because the crust is so versatile, it’s easy to make substitutions based on your preference or dietary needs. Gluten-free cookies work just as well, and for a fully no-bake version, the crust can be chilled instead of baked—though baking adds a deeper, more buttery finish that elevates the overall experience.

The Filling: A Whipped Citrus Dream

At the heart of Lime Chiffon Pie is the light-as-air filling—a whipped lime cream made from cream cheese, fresh lime juice, zest, and heavy cream. This filling is somewhere between a no-bake cheesecake and a citrus mousse, offering the richness of dairy balanced with the brightness of lime.

Cream cheese provides body and tang, helping the pie hold its shape while adding depth to the flavor. Lime juice and zest contribute a bold citrus profile that feels both refreshing and satisfying. Heavy cream is whipped directly into the mixture, creating a fluffy texture that’s smooth and luxurious but never heavy.

The combination of granulated and powdered sugars ensures just the right amount of sweetness, while a touch of vanilla and sea salt rounds out the flavor. A hint of green food coloring is optional but adds a whimsical, pastel hue that makes the pie even more visually inviting—especially when garnished with extra lime zest or slices.

What’s remarkable about this filling is how it thickens and sets without gelatin or eggs. The whipped cream stabilizes the mixture, and chilling the pie allows it to firm up perfectly. This makes it ideal for those who prefer egg-free desserts or want a lighter option than a baked cheesecake.

Texture: Light, Creamy, and Dreamy

The texture of Lime Chiffon Pie is one of its greatest strengths. It’s firm enough to slice cleanly, yet soft enough to melt effortlessly on your tongue. It offers a lovely contrast to the slightly crunchy crust and doesn’t feel heavy or dense—even after a large meal.

The air whipped into the filling adds volume and lightness, making each bite feel like a refreshing indulgence. This makes it an excellent dessert for warm weather, when rich or heavy sweets can feel overwhelming. Instead, you get a cool, silky spoonful that refreshes the palate and leaves you wanting more.

The smooth consistency also lends itself well to clean slicing, so each piece looks as good as it tastes. When topped with whipped cream, fruit, or lime zest, the pie becomes a picture-perfect dessert you’ll be proud to serve at any event.

Lime Flavor: Bright, Zesty, and Balanced

The use of both lime zest and fresh juice ensures that this pie packs a true citrus punch. The zest delivers aromatic oils that bring a fragrant brightness to the filling, while the juice provides the sharp, tangy edge that lime fans crave.

The lime flavor is bold but not overwhelming. It’s tempered by the creaminess of the filling and the subtle sweetness of the crust, creating a harmonious balance. You can even customize the intensity—add more zest or juice for a stronger citrus presence, or tone it down with extra vanilla for a creamier profile.

For those who enjoy experimenting, try incorporating key lime juice or a splash of orange juice to create a slightly more tropical twist. The base recipe is adaptable and can be tailored to your ideal level of tartness or sweetness.

Make-Ahead Friendly and Perfect for Entertaining

One of the most convenient aspects of Lime Chiffon Pie is its make-ahead nature. Since the pie requires a minimum of four hours to chill and set, it’s perfect for preparing the night before an event. This gives the filling time to firm up, the flavors time to meld, and you, the baker, time to relax.

Because it stores so well in the refrigerator, it’s an ideal dessert for entertaining. You can prepare it in advance and focus on the rest of your menu the day of. The pie also travels well, making it great for potlucks, picnics, or summer get-togethers.

If you want to elevate the presentation, consider topping it with piped whipped cream, a swirl of lime curd, or macerated strawberries. These garnishes not only look beautiful but also enhance the overall flavor and texture of the dish.

Perfect for Every Season and Every Occasion

While Lime Chiffon Pie is particularly suited for spring and summer due to its refreshing nature, it’s a versatile dessert that fits any time of year. During the colder months, it provides a burst of brightness that’s especially welcome, and its light texture makes it a wonderful contrast to heavier winter fare.

Serve it at Easter brunch, as a cooling treat after a backyard barbecue, or even as a light ending to a festive holiday meal. It also works well as a birthday dessert for those who prefer something a bit more subtle than traditional cake.

With its crowd-pleasing flavor, smooth consistency, and elegant appearance, this pie adapts beautifully to casual and formal settings alike.

Conclusion

Lime Chiffon Pie is everything you could want in a no-bake dessert—vibrant, refreshing, creamy, and easy to make. Its simple crust, fluffy lime filling, and beautiful presentation make it a standout choice for any occasion. Whether you’re entertaining guests or just treating yourself to a citrusy indulgence, this pie delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

From its buttery base to its tangy, airy top, each slice is a celebration of contrast and harmony. Bright and light enough for warm-weather gatherings yet indulgent enough to satisfy any dessert craving, Lime Chiffon Pie is a recipe you’ll turn to again and again. Once you’ve had a taste of its zesty charm, it just might become your go-to pie for every season.

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