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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Lime Ice Cream: Sweet and Tangy! (Video)

    Modified: Jul 19, 2025 · Published: Mar 8, 2021 by Brandy · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Homemade lime ice cream is the perfect blend of sweet and tangy. If you like key lime pie, you'll love this recipe. Don't skimp on the graham cracker topping---it's perfection! 

    Don't have an ice cream maker? You might like our no-churn ice cream recipes: toasted coconut ice cream, no-churn bubble gum, or easy cake batter ice cream!

    loaf pan and ice cream cone with scoops of lime ice cream

    Watch our step by step video!

    This ice cream recipe is to die for. Perfectly tart with a crunchy sweetness from the graham cracker topping. I'm typically a chocolate ice cream kind of girl, but this key lime pie ice cream one of my favorites!

    lime ice cream with graham cracker topping in loaf pan

    We started experimenting with lime ice cream recipes after Ruby set a goal to learn how to make ice cream. This was one of the flavors that she requested, and after a couple of tries we came up with a version that received two thumbs up from everyone in the family.

    This ice cream isn't made from key limes (although you could totally use them), but still has the tangy flavors and crunchy crust that you'd expect from a key lime pie.

    Lime Ice Cream Recipe

    two scoops of lime ice cream in a sugar cone

    How To Make Key Lime Pie Ice Cream With A Graham Cracker Crust Topping

    We received an older version of this ice cream maker as a wedding gift 19 years ago and it still works like a charm. It's one of those things we wouldn't have purchased as newlyweds, but were so glad to have. It's been so fun making our own ice cream throughout the years. I highly recommend investing in one---you'll love it!

    lime ice cream in loaf pan with ice cream scoop

    Ingredients

    (scroll down for printable recipe)

    Ice Cream

    • water
    • sugar
    • lime juice (fresh)
    • lime zest
    • heavy whipping cream
    • vanilla
    • food coloring (optional)

    Topping

    • graham crackers
    • sugar
    • butter

    Directions

    water and sugar simmering in pan

    Step 1: combine water and sugar in pan and heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat.

    lime juice being poured into glass measuring cup

    Step 2: pour mixture in a bowl and add lime juice and lime zest. Stir.

    glass measuring cup with lime juice mixture

    Step 3: refrigerator mixture until completely cooled.

    heavy whipping cream being poured into glass measuring cup

    Step 4: add heavy whipping cream, vanilla, and food coloring. Stir.

    lime ice cream batter being poured into ice cream maker

    Step 5: pour mixture into ice cream maker. Process as directed in manufacturer's instructions.

    graham cracker crumbs on baking sheet

    Step 6: while ice cream freezes, make the crumb topping. Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter together. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes or until slightly toasted.

    lime ice cream in ice cream maker

    Step 7: when ice cream is the consistency of frozen yogurt, remove and spoon into a loaf pan or glass dish.

    glass dish filled with ice cream batter

    Step 8: Smooth out top then sprinkle with graham cracker topping.

    lime ice cream in a loaf pan with graham cracker topping

    Step 9: place ice cream into the freezer and freeze for 3 hours for best results.

    two scoops of lime ice cream in sugar cone

    Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Printable Recipe

    lime ice cream in loaf pan with ice cream scoop

    Lime Ice Cream (Key Lime Pie Ice Cream)

    Homemade lime ice cream is the perfect blend of sweet and tangy. If you like key lime pie, you'll love this recipe. Don't skimp on the graham cracker topping---it's perfection! 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Chill: 3 hours hours
    Total Time: 3 hours hours 43 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 275kcal
    Author: Brandy Nelson
    Toggle this switch ON to prevent your screen from going dark while cooking.

    Equipment

    • ice cream maker

    Ingredients

    Ice Cream

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup sugar
    • ¾ cup fresh lime juice 10-12 limes, depending on size
    • 1 tablespoon lime zest
    • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 3-5 drops food coloring optional

    Topping

    • 3-4 graham crackers (about ½ cup graham cracker crumbs)
    • 2 tablespoon sugar
    • 3 tablespoon butter melted

    Instructions

    • Combine water and sugar in small saucepan. Heat and stir until sugar is completely dissolved and mixture looks clear.
    • Add lime juice and lime zest. Chill until mixture has completely cooled down.
    • Add heavy whipping cream, vanilla, and food coloring. Stir.
    • Pour ice cream mixture into ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. (Mine takes about 20 minutes to become soft serve consistency).
    • While ice cream is in the ice cream maker, make crumb topping. To do that, crush graham crackers and mix with sugar and melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes or slightly toasted.
    • Transfer ice cream to a freezer container or loaf pan.
    • Sprinkle graham cracker topping over top of ice cream.
    • Freeze ice cream for 3 hours.

    Notes

    Tip: keep the ice cream bowl that comes with your ice cream maker in the freezer at all times. It'll be chilled and ready to go anytime you want to make ice cream! 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 275kcal
    Tried this Recipe? Like it Today!Mention @Gluesticksblog or tag #gluesticksblog!
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    About Brandy

    Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    Welcome!

    I'm Brandy! I love to create and share my ideas through easy-to-follow recipes and tutorials.

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