Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe: A Perfectly Tangy & Creamy Dessert to Impress!
If you’ve ever dined at The Cheesecake Factory, you know their cheesecakes are nothing short of legendary. From the classic Original to the decadent Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch, each slice is pure dessert bliss. But one flavor that truly stands out for its tropical tang and refreshing creaminess is the Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake.
This dessert combines the luscious richness of a classic cheesecake with the zesty punch of fresh key limes. It’s creamy, tangy, sweet, and buttery — everything you want in a perfect cheesecake. The best part? You can easily recreate this famous dessert at home with simple ingredients and a few baking tricks.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to make the Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake recipe step-by-step. From crafting the perfect graham cracker crust to whipping up a silky lime-infused filling and topping it with a dreamy sour cream layer, this recipe brings restaurant-level quality right to your kitchen.
🥧 Why You’ll Love This Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe
There are a few reasons this cheesecake is a showstopper:
- Bright and tangy flavor: The key lime juice adds the perfect amount of citrus zing.
- Creamy texture: It’s rich and velvety without being too heavy.
- Graham cracker crust perfection: Buttery, crisp, and the perfect balance to the creamy filling.
- Make-ahead dessert: Cheesecake actually tastes better after chilling overnight.
- Restaurant-quality at home: Save money and still enjoy the same indulgent flavor.
Whether it’s for a dinner party, summer gathering, or a quiet night in, this Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake will wow everyone.
🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need for Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe
You don’t need any fancy ingredients to make this copycat Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake recipe — just simple pantry staples and a few key lime essentials.
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full crackers)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- Pinch of salt
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 24 oz (3 packages) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¾ cup key lime juice (fresh or bottled)
- 1 tablespoon grated lime zest
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Topping:
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lime zest (optional, for garnish)
- Lime slices or whipped cream for decoration
Tip: If you can’t find key limes, regular Persian limes work fine. Key limes are smaller and more aromatic, but the flavor will still be delicious.
🍋 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these easy directions to make your Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake turn out perfectly every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, and a pinch of salt.
- Mix until the texture resembles wet sand.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom (and slightly up the sides) of a 9-inch springform pan.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes until lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool while you prepare the filling.
Pro tip: For extra flavor, toast your graham cracker crumbs in the oven for 5 minutes before mixing them with butter.
Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Filling
- Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and fluffy.
- Add sugar and continue mixing until well combined.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides after each addition.
- Mix in sour cream, key lime juice, lime zest, and vanilla extract.
- Blend just until smooth — avoid overmixing, which can cause cracks.
The batter should be creamy and slightly tangy, with a refreshing lime aroma.
Step 3: Bake the Cheesecake
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust.
- Tap the pan lightly on the counter to remove air bubbles.
- Place the pan inside a large roasting pan and pour in hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides (a water bath prevents cracking).
- Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center jiggles slightly.
- Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.
Step 4: Add the Topping
- In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Spread evenly over the cooled cheesecake.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight).
The chilling process helps the flavors develop and gives that signature Cheesecake Factory texture — firm yet silky.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Before serving, top your cheesecake with:
- Fresh lime zest
- Whipped cream rosettes
- Thin lime slices or twists
Slice with a clean, sharp knife (wipe between cuts) for picture-perfect servings.
👩🍳 Copycat Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake Baking Tips
Getting that creamy, smooth texture like The Cheesecake Factory’s version takes just a little know-how. Here’s how to get it right every time:
- Use room temperature ingredients — cold cream cheese or eggs can make the batter lumpy.
- Don’t overmix. Overmixing incorporates too much air, leading to cracks.
- Water bath magic. This is essential for an evenly baked, crack-free top.
- Cool gradually. Sudden temperature changes can make the cheesecake split.
- Chill overnight. This lets the flavors blend and the texture firm up.
🧊 Storage and Freezing Instructions
This cheesecake keeps beautifully, so it’s great for making ahead of time.
Refrigerator:
Store the cheesecake covered in plastic wrap or an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer:
- Wrap individual slices or the whole cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
It’s still creamy and delicious after thawing — you’ll barely notice the difference!
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake recipe is stunning on its own, but you can dress it up even more:
- Coconut flakes: Sprinkle toasted coconut on top for a tropical touch.
- Fruit toppings: Add fresh berries or a drizzle of raspberry coulis.
- Whipped cream swirls: Pipe rosettes around the edges for a bakery-style presentation.
- Graham cracker dust: Sprinkle a bit of extra crumb mixture on top before serving.
Serve it chilled, and enjoy every creamy, tangy bite!
🧁 Variations to Try
Want to get creative with your cheesecake? Here are some fun variations:
1. Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes
Use a muffin tin lined with cupcake wrappers. Bake for 20–22 minutes. Perfect for parties or individual desserts.
2. No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake
Skip the oven! Use whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk for a light, mousse-like filling set in the fridge.
3. Coconut Key Lime Cheesecake
Add ½ cup shredded coconut to the crust mixture for a tropical twist.
4. Chocolate Drizzle
Melt white chocolate and drizzle it over the top for a sweet, tangy contrast.
🍋 Why Key Limes Make All the Difference
The secret to the Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake lies in its name — the key lime.
Key limes are smaller and more aromatic than regular limes. They have a slightly floral, tart, yet less acidic flavor that gives this cheesecake its signature taste. If you can find fresh key limes, use them! Otherwise, bottled key lime juice (like Nellie & Joe’s) works perfectly too.
Fun fact: Key limes were named after the Florida Keys, where they were once widely grown before a hurricane wiped out most of the groves in the early 1900s.
❤️ Why This Cheesecake Beats the Restaurant Version
Yes, The Cheesecake Factory version is incredible — but this homemade copycat has a few advantages:
- Fresher ingredients (no preservatives)
- Customizable sweetness and tang
- More budget-friendly
- Satisfaction of baking it yourself!
And honestly, after one bite, your guests might think you ordered it straight from The Cheesecake Factory bakery.
📋 Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe (Quick Summary)
| Step | Action | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prepare crust | 10 minutes |
| 2 | Make filling | 10 minutes |
| 3 | Bake | 60–70 minutes |
| 4 | Cool & add topping | 1 hour |
| 5 | Chill | 4+ hours |
Total Time: About 6 hours (mostly chilling time)
Servings: 10–12 slices
🥄 Final Thoughts
This Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake recipe is the perfect blend of creamy and tart, sweet and citrusy — a refreshing twist on a classic dessert. It’s indulgent yet bright, making it ideal for any season.
Once you taste this homemade version, you may never need to buy a slice again. The creamy texture, buttery crust, and zesty lime flavor will have everyone asking for seconds.
So grab some key limes, preheat that oven, and get ready to enjoy a slice of Cheesecake Factory heaven — straight from your own kitchen.
