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Creamy, bright, tangy and luscious, this Key Lime Pie Gelato has all the flavors we love in a great key lime pie, in a scoopable frozen treat!
What’s the difference between regular Persian limes and key limes?
First, it’s easy to see key limes are much smaller than Persian limes. Once sliced you’ll notice that key limes have a lot of seeds like a lemon, where Persian limes are seedless. These tiny key lime fruits have a much thinner rind, higher acidity, a stronger flavor and a distinct aroma that is easily recognized. Persian limes are actually a cross between a key lime and a lemon, which explains a lot! People often use regular Persian limes in place of key limes, and that’s fine too. However, if you’re a key lime fan, take the few extra minutes to squeeze fresh key limes for this recipe.
Can I use bottled key lime juice for this recipe?
Why is this called gelato instead of ice cream?
How long will this Key Lime Pie Gelato keep in the freezer?
Don’t forget the ribbon of crushed graham crackers too!
The crushed graham crackers add a wonderful textural contrast. That crunchy-smooth thing gives this gelato a Key Lime Pie quality that can’t be beat! Try our recipe for Homemade Graham Crackers if you’re in the baking mood. They’re so good, fun and easy to make too! If you’re saving room for dessert – you’ll want to try this recipe for Key Lime Pie Gelato before summer slips away.
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Key Lime Pie Gelato
Equipment
- Ice cream maker
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon key lime zest
- 1 cup granulated sugar divided
- 2 cups whole milk
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1 cup heavy cream
- โ cup key lime juice
- ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup graham crackers lightly crushed
Instructions
- Combine 1 tablespoon Key lime zest in a bowl of a food processor with ยพ cup of granulated sugar. Process until the zest is very fine.
- Place the zest and sugar in a heavy bottom saucepan. Add 2 cups of whole milk and cook on medium heat until the mixture reaches 170ยฐF on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from the heat, cover with a lid and steep for 30 minutes.
- While the milk is steeping, whisk the egg yolks with the remaining ยผ cup of sugar in a non-reactive medium bowl. Whisk until the eggs are foamy and slightly thickened. Set aside. Juice the limes and measure to โ cup.
- In a separate clean, large glass or stainless steel bowl, add the heavy cream. Set the bowl over an ice bath and place a fine-mesh sieve over the cream.
- Put the steeping milk and zest mixture back on medium heat until it reaches 170ยฐF stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Temper the eggs by pouring in a slow, steady stream of hot milk while whisking continuously. Once most of the hot milk has been added to the egg yolks, pour the new egg and milk mixture (custard) back in the saucepan. Heat on medium stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or heat proof spatula until it reaches 185 degrees or is thick enough to coat the back of the wooden spoon. Take care not to let the mixture boil. If needed, blend or emulsify the custard if it is not smooth.
- Pour the heated custard through the sieve into the cold cream. Stir occasionally until the mixture is fully cooled, about 30 minutes. Add the lime juice and vanilla and stir until combined. Remove the bowl from the ice bath and dry the bottom with a kitchen towel. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Process the gelato in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer directions. Scoop a layer of gelato into an airtight container. Top with a layer of crushed graham crackers, and then another layer of gelato. Repeat topping the final layer of gelato with the last of the crackers. Cover and freeze until set and ready to serve. Sprinkle each bowl with additional crushed graham crackers if desired.
Recipe Notes
- You will need about 10 juicy limes for 1/3 cup juice. Use 1/4 cup of key lime juice if you prefer a less tart flavor
- Nutritional information is based on a 1/2 cup serving.
Nutrition
Kitchen essentials for making homemade ice cream, sorbet and gelato
Check out this Cuisinart ice cream maker! I’ve had this exact model for years and love it. It’s a true workhorse in the kitchen and super easy to use and clean. I also could not live without my favorite citrus press / juicer. I use it all the time when making anything requiring lemon, lime or orange juice. Click on the photos for more information or to purchase from Amazon.
Saving Room for Dessert is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program ~ I earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, which I use to pay for web hosting and services for this blog.
Here are a few more key lime recipes you might enjoy:
Turn this luscious Key Lime Pie Gelato into homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches! Click HERE to get the recipe.
Coconut Key Lime Meltaways โ a light and buttery bite-sized cookie with a big tropical flavor. Click HERE to get the recipe!
Key Lime Icebox Cheesecake โ a terrific summer dessert with a light and creamy no-bake filling, a not-too-sweet tart and tangy flavor, and a perfectly crunchy graham cracker crust. Click HERE to get the recipe.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Tricia
Lisa
This looks amazing and weโre gonna try this today. But Iโm trying to understand why the lime doesnโt curdle the milk in this recipe.
Tricia Buice
I’m not sure either Lisa. There are plenty of recipes that combine dairy and citrus. It works!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Key lime is just perfect for Summer! Loving this gelato version of the great pie flavours ๐
Tricia Buice
Thanks Jennifer ๐
handmade by amalia
This gelato looks super tasty and so perfect for summer. Wow.
Amalia
xo
Tricia Buice
Thanks Amalia!
Chris Scheuer
I think I would join your son and husband about this being a favorite! I love anything key lime and gelato sounds wonderful!
Tricia Buice
The tart, creamy, sweet thing is just magical Chris. Thanks so much!
Tanna at The Brick Street Bungalow
My mouth is watering!!
Shiloh Barkley
Mmm! This will be great for summer.
blueberrykitchen
Oh yum, what a dreamy sounding dessert!
Mary Younkin
This gelato sounds wonderful. I'm betting that the graham crackers made it taste like bites of pie. Recipes like this one are "almost" enough to get me excited about warmer weather. I'm still going to cling like crazy to the hope of another few days of chilly 70's. Ha.
Blond Duck
I've been wanting to try gelato!
Purabi Naha
Oh, this gelato is divine! This looks like something I must try. The recipe is great and I loved the picture!! <br />http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.in/<br />
The Cafรฉ Sucrรฉ Farine
Tricia, I know I would be quite fond of this also! It sounds and looks fabulous, what a brilliant idea! Oh and I have that same problem of things jumping into my cart and then I have to figure out what to do with them ………… ๐
Abbe@This is How I Cook
My daughter loves key lime anything. This is sure to be a winner!
Natalie G
Wow this is incredible! I love key lime, amazing flavour.
2 sisters recipes
Oh my goodness! I am making gelato this week as well, and yours is incredible! Great flavors- we love key lime pie and so this HAS to be GOOD ! ๐ Anna
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch)
I think this sounds inCREDible. I agree, I love my ice cream maker also, and it's been way to long since I've used it. Thanks for a great recipe and inspiration.
Mary
What a delicious sounding ice. My husband loves lime desserts and I'll have to give this recipe a try. Have a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
Angie's Recipes
Lovely! Can't wait to try it! I love the add of graham crackers in the gelato.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Angie – ice cream is such fun to make!
Tanna at The Brick Street Bungalow
oh. my. gooness! This looks lucious, Tricia!! If I lived near you, I'd weigh a million pounds because I'd be sneaking stuff out of your kitchen ALL THE TIME!! blessings ~ tanna
Tricia Buice
I have found that gifting goodies is one way to get them out of the house but ice cream / Gelato will keep for a very long time. I love having something to share if someone stops by. I am afraid to scoop a whole bowl of this for myself – a spoonful at a time is the way to go for now ๐
Chatty Crone
Oh my gosh does that look good! sandie
Tricia Buice
Thanks Sandie – come and have a bowl with me!
Sue/the view from great island
This gelato really does sound (and look) like something you'd pay handsomely for from the uber-premium brand…I can't resist the subtle lime color! Great recipe, Tricia. I'm getting the ice cream making bug, too, I blame the blogging world for sending me down that dangerous path!
Tricia Buice
And all your citrus has me craving lemons, limes and oranges! Yes I am easily influenced by your artistry!