This Key Lime Ice Cream Loaf is perfect for summer. The creamy, tart layers of key lime ice cream with the crumbled, gingersnap cookie layers is divine!
Hot summer days and ice cream go together like nothing else! If you drive past any ice cream shop on a nice summer evening, the lines are out the door. So, this Key Lime Ice Cream Loaf is the perfect dessert to share with friends this summer.
The inspiration for this recipe came from my friend Julianne Bayer’s brand new cookbook No-Bake Treats. You guys, this cookbook is seriously awesome and the simple recipes are totally approachable. From no-bake cheesecakes to pies and ice cream to truffles, I didn’t know where to start. I’ve already made the Salty Peanut Butter S’mores Tart and the Salty Chocolate Bacon Mini-Tarts!
This cookbook is perfect for the summer because who wants to turn the oven on when the kitchen is already hot. No Bake Treats is available wherever books are sold AND you can enter the giveaway to win a free copy below.
I made this key lime ice cream loaf by making some changes to Julianne’s recipe for Coconut Lime Ice Cream Loaf. I left out the coconut due to my family’s preference, traded the macadamia nuts for gingersnap cookies, and added key lime juice because my family loves it.
Mix together vanilla wafer cookie crumbs, crispy gingersnap cookie crumbs, and the melted butter and set aside.
Beat the heavy whipping cream in a chilled bowl with the whisk attachment until it starts to thicken. Add powdered sugar and key lime juice. Stir until combined and then beat until stiff peaks form. Set the whipped cream aside.
Beat the softened cream cheese using the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, key lime juice, and key lime zest. Stir until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream.
Line a loaf pan with foil. Spread a third of the crust mixture on the bottom of the pan. Top it with a third of the ice cream and spread until smooth. Repeat with another layer of crust and ice cream.
For the third layer, sprinkle on the crust but pipe on the final layer of ice cream. I used an Ateco 864 French Star Tip but any tip or design will work. Or if you prefer, spread the final layer of ice cream out like you did on the first two layers. Sprinkle with a half teaspoon of key lime zest. Carefully cover the ice cream loaf without smashing the piped top layer and freeze the for four to six hours or until solid. When ready to serve, lift the ice cream loaf out of the pan, peel away the foil, and place the key lime ice cream cake on a tray to serve.
I brought this Key Lime Ice Cream Loaf to a friend’s dinner party last weekend and there wasn’t a single scrap left over. Everyone loved the creamy, tart ice cream layered with the gingersnap cookies.
Key Lime Ice Cream Cake
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup crispy gingersnap cookie crumbs
- 1 cup vanilla wafer cookie crumbs Nilla Wafers
- 6 tablespoon butter melted
Key Lime Ice Cream
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar divided
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoon key lime juice
- 1 teaspoon key lime juice
- 2 teaspoon key lime zest divided
Instructions
Cookie Crust
- Mix together the crispy gingersnap cookie crumbs, vanilla wafer cookie crumbs, and the melted butter and set aside.
Key Lime Ice Cream
- Beat the heavy whipping cream in a chilled bowl until it starts to thicken. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of key lime juice. Stir until combined and then beat until stiff peaks form. Set the whipped cream aside.
- Beat the softened cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of key lime juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons of key lime zest. Stir until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream.
- Line a loaf pan with non-stick foil. Spread a third of the crust mixture (about 2/3 cup) on the bottom of the pan. Top it with a third of the ice cream (about 1 1/3 cups) and spread until smooth. Repeat with another layer of crust and ice cream.
- For the third layer, sprinkle on the crust but pipe on the final layer of ice cream. (I used an Ateco 864 French Star Tip, but any tip or design will work). Or, if you prefer, spread the final layer of ice cream out like you did on the first two layers. Sprinkle with a half teaspoon of key lime zest. Carefully cover the ice cream loaf without smashing the piped top layer and freeze it for four to six hours or until solid.
- When ready to serve, lift the ice cream loaf out of the pan, peel away the foil, and place the key lime ice cream cake on a tray to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Here are a few more of my ice cream cake recipes to try:
Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake
Chocolate Crunch Ice Cream Cake
renee says
I love no-bake pie recipes.
Trisha Burgess says
Definitely want to make any kind of cheesecake! It’s my favorite!
Marie Lowther says
i would love to see how they make cheesecake!
Samantha Plotkin says
I would love to make an ice box cake. I don’t think my hubby has ever tried one!
Marija says
I’ve never attempted cheesecake before, so I’d love to start there.
angie w says
That’s a tough call – I’d probably go with a tart to use some of the fantastic summer produce that’s abundant right now!
Katrina Angele says
I would have to make a cheesecake first. They are my fiance’s absolute favorite….and I like them too 😀 Win win.
Jenna Hudson says
They all sound like good choices to me since I can’t stand turning on the oven in the summer! I would try an ice box cake first though!
Jennifer Wilson says
I want to make a cheesecak, but that that M&M Ice Cream cake looks great! 🙂
Renee G says
I would love to make a chocolate cheesecake.
Amelia Joubert says
a cheesecake! my fav!
Diane Bare says
Ice box cake sounds great!
Audra says
I would love to make an ice box cake
Ally says
I am a tart kind of girl, so that would likely be my first thing to make!
Tina W says
I think an ice-box cake sounds terrific right now.
Steph says
I love ice box cakes!!
Lauryn R says
I would definitely love to make an ice box cake first! This recipe sounds delicious and the presentation is so pretty! 🙂
Jan says
I want to make a chocolate & peanut butter icebox cake. yummm delicious.
Carolsue says
I’d make Truffles first. I love them!
Cyndybr7 says
How can I chose between an ice box cake and a pie? mmmmm…do I have to?