December 28, 2023
Review RecipeKey Lime Fudge
Creamy and bursting with citrusy tanginess, this key lime fudge is a refreshing and sweet treat that comes together in no time.
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Your tastebuds will come alive with this tangy and sweet key lime fudge. Made on top of a buttery graham cracker crust, the classic creamy fudge is infused with citrusy bursts of tropical key lime flavors.
Key Lime Fudge Ingredients
This key lime fudge recipe offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
The result is a mouthwatering treat that harmoniously blends sweet creaminess with zesty citrus notes.
You’ll need:
For The Crust:
- 1½ cups of crushed graham cracker crumbs (1 sleeve of graham crackers)
- 6 tablespoons of salted sweet cream butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
For The Key Lime Fudge:
- 2⅓ cups of white premium baking chips (like Ghirardelli)
- 1 (14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lime zest plus 1 teaspoon for optional garnish
- ¼ cup of key lime juice (freshly squeezed or bottled)
Substitutions And Additions
LIME ZEST: You can add one teaspoon of lime zest to the graham cracker crumbs before baking for an extra zing.
KEY LIME JUICE: You can use either fresh squeezed and strained lime juice or bottled key lime juice in this easy recipe.
LIMES: Either key lime juice or regular lime juice work fine for this easy key lime fudge recipe. They can be substituted one to one.
How To Make This Key Lime Fudge Recipe
This delightful fudge comes together in two parts. You will make the graham cracker crust before topping it with the lime fudge mixture.
Give it plenty of time to set before digging in.
For The Crust
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing the edges to hang over the sides for easy removal from the pan. Set it aside.
STEP TWO: Using a small mixing bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir until well incorporated.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
If you need to crush your graham crackers, you can toss them in the food processor or crush them in a Ziploc with a rolling pin until they are fine crumbs.
STEP THREE: Evenly press the crust into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Bake for five minutes. Allow the crust to cool completely.
PRO TIP:
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your crust as the suggested baking time approaches.
For The Key Lime Fudge
STEP ONE: Using a medium-sized heat-safe mixing bowl, add the white chocolate chips and the sweetened condensed milk.
Heat in the microwave for 45 seconds, stir and continue heating in 15-second intervals until the mixture is smooth.
STEP TWO: Add the lime zest and the key lime juice. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
PRO TIP:
If you are using fresh-squeezed key lime juice, be sure to strain the juice before adding it to the fudge.
STEP THREE: Spread the mixture in an even layer over the graham crust. Evenly sprinkle the one teaspoon of reserved lime zest on top of the fudge.
Loosely cover with plastic wrap and let the fudge chill in the refrigerator for two hours to set.
PRO TIP:
If you prefer, you can also sprinkle a ½ teaspoon of crushed graham crackers on top of the key lime pie fudge along with the lime zest.
STEP FOUR: Grasp the edges of the parchment paper and lift the fudge out of the square pan onto a cutting board.
STEP FIVE: Carefully slice the fudge into 36 squares. They will be 1½-inch by 1½-inch.
Keep the fudge refrigerated until you are ready to serve.
How To Serve
Enjoy this delightfully rich and creamy fudge anytime you need a little burst of sweetness.
Add a refreshing cold vanilla latte or iced caramel macchiato to wash your treat down.
This fudge would also be a great homemade gift idea, added to a fancy box and tied with a ribbon, along with our gingerbread fudge.
Our tiger fudge and cookie dough fudge are two more easy fudge recipes that you won’t be able to resist.
MORE FUDGE RECIPES
Storage
Here’s how to store your key lime fudge to ensure it stays fresh and delicious.
MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning ahead for a special occasion or simply want to get a head start on dessert, you can absolutely make this fudge in advance.
Once prepared and set, tightly wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container.
Store it in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for up to three months.
IN THE FRIDGE: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the fudge for up to two months.
Lay the fudge in a single layer, wrap it in parchment paper, then wrap it in aluminum foil.
Allow the fudge to thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Why We Love This Recipe
FLAVOR FUSION: This fudge combines the sweetness of white chocolate with the zesty punch of fresh lime zest and key lime juice. The result is an irresistibly balanced blend of creamy sweetness and tangy citrus that tantalizes the taste buds.
EASY TO MAKE: With clear step-by-step instructions and readily available ingredients, this recipe is incredibly easy to follow. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, you can create a mouthwatering treat effortlessly.
TEXTURE: The contrast between the crunchy graham cracker crust and the velvety smoothness of the fudge is simply divine. It’s a textural delight that adds to the overall eating experience.
This dreamy creamy fudge is bursting with the refreshing flavor of key lime and sweet white chocolate goodness. The hints of tropical destinations make this key lime fudge an ideal treat to make when you are looking for a little getaway, even if it is just in your imagination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store this fudge?
The best way to store this simple recipe is in the fridge for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to two months.
How do I slice through chilled fudge easily?
An easy way to slice this easy treat is to dip a large sharp knife in hot water, dry it completely, and cut one long slice (the heat will help the blade to glide through).
What is the difference between key limes and regular limes?
Key limes, also known as Mexican limes, are smaller than regular limes and tend to have a more intense lime flavor. You can use key lime juice and regular lime juice interchangeably.
Can I use regular limes if I can’t find fresh key limes?
This key lime pie fudge recipe will be great with any type of fresh lime juice or even bottled lime juice.
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Key Lime Fudge
Creamy and bursting with citrusy tanginess, this key lime fudge is a refreshing and sweet treat that comes together in no time.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings 36
Ingredients
Crust
- 1½ cups crushed graham cracker crumbs, 1 sleeve of graham crackers
- 6 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Key Lime Fudge
- 2⅓ cups white premium baking chips, like Ghirardelli
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime zest
- ¼ cup key lime juice, fresh squeezed or bottled
- 1 teaspoon lime zest, optional garnish
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing the edges to hang over the sides for easy removal from the pan. Set it aside.
- Using a small mixing bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir until well incorporated.
- Evenly press the crust into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 5 minutes. Allow the crust to cool completely.
Key Lime Fudge
- Using a medium-sized heat-safe mixing bowl, add the white baking chips and the sweetened condensed milk. Heat in the microwave for 45 seconds, stir and continue heating for 15-second intervals until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the lime zest and the key lime juice. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
- Evenly spread the fudge over the graham crust. Evenly sprinkle the 1 teaspoon of reserved lime zest on top of the fudge. Loosely cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours to set.
- Grasp the edges of the parchment paper and lift the fudge out of the pan onto a cutting board.
- Carefully slice the fudge into 36 (1½-inch x 1½-inch) squares. Keep the fudge refrigerated until you are ready to serve.
Notes
- If you need to crush your graham crackers, you can toss them in the food processor or crush them in a Ziploc with a rolling pin until they are fine crumbs.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your crust as the suggested baking time approaches.
- If you are using fresh-squeezed key lime juice, be sure to strain the juice before adding it to the fudge.
- If you prefer, you can also sprinkle a ½ teaspoon of crushed graham crackers on top of the key lime pie fudge along with the lime zest.
Nutrition
Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 54mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 88IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Karyn says
Can I make this into a fudge that doesn’t need a crust or will it not hold together?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Karyn – we haven’t tested that so I am not sure how it would hold up without the crust.