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No-Bake Strawberry Lime Ritz Cracker Dessert

Heather Baird
This no-bake strawberry lime Ritz cracker dessert is a quick and easy summer treat. Sweetened strawberries are layered with a creamy lime filling and Ritz crackers in a chilled, no-bake dessert that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, and family gatherings. Garnish with extra strawberries, lime zest, and crushed Ritz crackers before serving.
You'll need about 8 large limes for the fresh lime juice in this recipe, and 2 sleeves of Ritz crackers.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
4 hours chill time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Equipment

  • 8.5x11 baking dish or 9x11 baking dish, or deep dish pie pan
  • grater or zester for zesting limes

Ingredients
 
 

Sweetened Strawberries

  • 2 cups fresh strawberries capped and thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest

Lime and Cracker Layers

  • 28- ounces sweetened condensed milk 2 cans 14 oz. each
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lime zest
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice from about 8 limes
  • Green food color optional
  • 40 Ritz crackers about 2 sleeves

Garnish

  • 5-6 sliced strawberries
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 5 Ritz crackers coarsely crushed

Instructions
 

Sweetened Strawberries

  • In a small bowl, toss the sliced strawberries with the sugar and lime zest. Cover and refrigerate for 15-20, or until juicy and softened. Drain the accumulated juices from the strawberries (and save it to sweeten your tea!). Set aside.

Lime and Cracker Layers

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk until combined. Add the fresh lime zest and juice and whisk until the mixture thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Add a few drops of green food color, if using. Mix again.
  • Spread 1 cup of the lime filling in the bottom of an 8.5x11 or 9x11 baking dish, or a deep dish pie pan.
  • Top with a single layer of Ritz crackers, about 20 whole crackers.
  • Spoon half of the macerated strawberries over the crackers. Top with half of the remaining lime mixture and repeat the layering of the remaining 20 crackers, strawberries, and creamy lime mixture. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Garnish

  • Before serving, top with lime zest, sliced strawberries, and crushed Ritz crackers.
  • Serve cold; spoon onto plates and top with more crushed crackers, if desired. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator. Best enjoyed within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.

Notes

  • I serve this dessert on chilled plates (much like I serve my garden salads). Glass, porcelain, and ceramic plates are generally freezer safe. Pop them into the freezer for 15 minutes before serving. 
  • This dessert can be sliced or spooned, though I find it's more a spoon dessert than anything. Strawberries can also be chopped fine instead of sliced for a more spoon-able dessert.
  • Over time, strawberries may continue to give off some of their juices in the assembled dessert. After a day of storing the leftovers in the fridge, you may notice a pool of juice in the corner of the dish. You may pour it off or dab away with paper towels. NBD!
  • Buttery Townhouse brand crackers may also be used in this recipe. 
Keyword heavy cream, icebox dessert, lime zest, macerated strawberries, no bake dessert, potluck dessert, Ritz cracker dessert, Southern layered dessert, strawberry lime dessert, sweetened condensed milk
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