As soon as it becomes architecturally sound and physically possible, I’m moving into a Key lime. I will spend my days lying in a hammock listening to reggae. It will be awesome and you’re all invited to come over because I will be serving these tartelettes around the clock.
These little confections are part Key lime pie, part cheesecake, part ice cream and one hundred percent easy, no-bake summer treat. If you’re new to Key limes, they are smaller, more yellow, and more acidic than their better-known big green cousins. They also tend to have more seeds, so it will be easiest to juice them over a sieve.
If you can’t find Key limes in your area, feel free to use regular limes in this recipe. While the flavor won’t be exactly the same, your tartelettes will still be delicious. And if you’re feeling extra crafty, instead of little tartelettes, you can make cookie sandwiches (chipwiches!). Grab two of your favorite cookies (homemade or not), sandwich a tablespoon sized scoop of the frozen cheesecake mixture in between and place in the freezer to set. Store in a freezer bag for easy access all summer long.
Ingredients
makes four tartelettes
Filling
8 ounces soy cream cheese
½ cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ cup key lime juice (about 5 key limes)
Crust
1 cup granola or graham crackers
2 tablespoons melted non-dairy butter
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Method
In a food processor grind granola or crackers into crumbs. Tip out into a small bowl. Mix in melted butter and maple syrup until you get the consistency of wet sand. Divide mixture into 4 ramekins and pack down into the bottom and up the sides a bit with your fingers. Refrigerate.
Place cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and lime juice into food processor and blend until completely smooth.
Pluck ramekins out of refrigerator. Pour approximately one-quarter cup plus two tablespoons of the cheesecake mixture on top of each granola crust. Divvy accordingly until each ramekin has equal cheesecake goodness.
Freeze for two hours. Torture, I know. Top with some berries or graham cracker crumbs and enjoy!
Image © Yvonne Penzakov for BitchBuzz