Easy Lime Refrigerator Cake (small Batch)

August can be a very hot month, not quite humid as July, but not a month that you really want to be putting your oven on, at least not for very long. That is when desserts such as this quick and easy 10 minute lime and cracker refrigerator dessert come in very handy.
There is no cooking involved and very little effort. The most difficult part is waiting the two hours for it to all set up. When it is done however, it is probably one of the most delicious and easiest desserts going.
Easy Lime Refrigerator Cake

The recipe was adapted from one which I found on Simply Recipes, who in turn had adapted it from one they found on Serious Eats. As they say there is nothing really new under the sun. I am sure this is a recipe that people have been making at least since the invention of refrigeration!
I have used all of the same ingredients as the original, but have adapted it to make a much smaller cake. My version makes only 3 generous and delicious servings. If you are wanting the full sized recipe, do check out the original page for the recipe.
Easy Lime Refrigerator Cake

With very little time, only five ingredients and a refrigerator you can have one of the most delicious desserts ready to feed your small family. The one thing I love most about refrigerator desserts is that they take very little time or effort to put together.
They are also known as Ice Box desserts or pies. It is amazing what magic occurs with a little bit of stirring together and layering. This dessert seems almost like a key lime éclair.
Easy Lime Refrigerator Cake

This easy no bake, hands off dessert tastes very much like a key lime pie. You have layers of a rich key lime custard and salty crackers, which absorb that lush custard.
The end result is rich, creamy, sweet with a bit of saltiness that is quite, quite enjoyable. This dessert really couldn't be easier or more delicious.
Easy Lime Refrigerator Cake

As easy as it is, one of the benefits of this tasty dessert is also that you can totally make it ahead of time, which makes it perfect for entertaining. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days, and you can freeze it for up to one month.
To me, this is the ideal dessert! Deliciously no fuss, no muss, very little to clean up and a cool kitchen! What more could a person ask for!
Easy Lime Refrigerator Cake

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE EASY LIME REFRIGERTOR CAKE
Five simple ingredients. That's it. (Excluding the garnish.)

1/2 can (7 ounces/198g) sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)
1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream (whipping cream)
1 TBS sour cream
the juice of one fresh lime
rich buttery crackers (such as Ritz, Town House or Tuc)
the finely grated zest of one fresh lime
fresh fruit or berries to serve

Do make sure you use sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk. The two are not the same. Although both are heat treated and have had much of the liquid removed, sweetened condensed milk has had copious amounts of sugar added and is quite a bit thicker and sweeter.
You will not need the full can of course, and you might be concerned with how you are going to use the other half of the can up. You can of course freeze it, but I did find an article on Bon Appetit for using up the rest of the can. I also found some recipes on Recipes by Carina.
Easy Lime Refrigerator Cake

You could probably use graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or vanilla wafers in this, but I think that would make for quite a sweet dessert. I love that the crackers were salty rather than sweet.
The Town House crackers that I used are buttery like Ritz, but rectangular in shape, which made for perfect layers. Tuc crackers would be the same. Ritz would leave you with a few gaps in the layers, but perhaps you could overlap them a bit to make a full covering.

Easy Lime Refrigerator Cake

Do use fresh lime juice. It works like magic with the cream and condensed milk to thicken it up nicely like a thick custard pudding. Its the acid in it which causes the chemical reaction of thickening it.
The addition of just a small amount of sour cream, also helps to cut the sweetness of the sweetened condensed milk. I am sure you could use plain yogurt in its place if that is all you have.

HOW TO MAKE EASY LIME REFRIGERATOR CAKE
Like I said, the hardest part of this dessert is waiting for it to set up in the refrigerator!
Whisk the condensed milk, lime juice, whipping cream and sour cream together in a bowl until smooth and thick.
Have ready a 4 by 7 inch casserole dish, at least 2 inches deep. Spread 1/4 of the lime mixture in the dish. Top with a layer of crackers. Repeat until you have three layers of crackers and four of the lime mixture.
Sprinkle the lime zest over top. Cover tightly with some plastic cling film and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Cut into slices to serve, garnished with some fresh fruit or berries.

Notes

This dessert keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can freeze it, tightly wrapped, for up to 1 month. If frozen, leave to thaw at room temperature for 10 minutes prior to serving.

Lush and rich this amount makes three perfectly sized delicious desserts. I added a fresh berry garnish because it is the time of year when fresh berries are in abundance.
Refreshing, delicious and easy to make. I really hope you will give it a go. For a special dinner you could also make it up in three separate ramekins and adorn the top with some berries. This would really wow your guests! Impressive. Nobody but you needs to know how simple it is to make!
Easy Lime Refrigerator Cake

Some other refrigerator desserts in The English Kitchen that you might enjoy are:
REFRIGERATOR FUDGE CAKE - Vanilla cake with chocolate fudge filled tunnels of lush deliciousness. Topped with a thick layer of whipped vanilla cream and chocolate shavings! Fabulous!
WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE - The filling for this is super easy to make. Melted white chocolate beaten together with cream cheese, vanilla and sugar, poured over the base and allowed to set up in the refrigerator. If you can stop at one piece of this tasty dessert, you are a better person than I am!
LEMON SANDWICHES WITH BLUEBERRIES & CREAM - Thick slices of rich lemon loaf cake are sandwiched together with a rich and lush yogurt cream and a fresh blueberry sauce. This is quite simply to die for. Very yummilicious!