This Key Lime Pie Fudge is such an easy recipe! It’s creamy and full of lime flavor. As a bonus, no thermometer is needed to make it!
Key Lime Pie Fudge
I’ve been looking for unusual fudge flavors lately! I’ve just had a big craving. And a few weeks ago, I ran across a pin on Pinterest for this key lime pie fudge. The only problem was when you clicked on the link, and it didn’t take you to a recipe. Don’t you just hate when that happens?! Ugh … so not cool.
I decided to see if I could find a recipe online, and there were a few to choose from. So I adapted the recipe below to use things I already had on hand – and I loved that I didn’t need a thermometer! Can you say, “Easy?” I love recipes like that – don’t you?!
You can make this key lime fudge with or without the graham cracker crust. I prefer it without – but my family preferred it with the crust! So if you don’t want a crust, just skip that part of the recipe. I hope you enjoy it!
Key Lime Pie Fudge: Ingredients & Equipment
To make this easy Key Lime Fudge recipe, you will need …
Ingredients
- graham crackers, sugar, butter – this forms your graham cracker crust. As I said, you can leave it out if you want, and I prefer it without … but I go with my family’s wishes every time!
- white chocolate chips, condensed milk – the base of your fudge. But it won’t taste like key lime until you add …
- lime juice, lime zest – the citrus! This provides the beautiful key lime flavor you know and love. Don’t skip the zest, especially, as it gives this fudge a beautifully citrusy kick.
Equipment
- 9×9 baking pan and cooking spray – your container for making your fudge crust, of course!
- food processor – for crushing the graham crackers into fine crumbs. You can also use a zip-top bag and rolling pin if necessary.
- microwave-safe bowl – a large one for mixing your fudge.
Key Lime Fudge: FAQS
About a pound and a half! Lots for your family and friends to chow down on … or to keep for yourself if you’re so inclined. Just don’t eat it all at once. 😉
No more than 20 minutes! Just 10 for prep and 10 to cook the fudge.
You’ll want to use key limes, which seems obvious, but I bring it up because the limes you’ll find at the store usually aren’t key limes. Key limes turn yellow when ripe and are smaller than the variety you’re most likely to find at the store (Persian limes). However, if you absolutely CAN NOT find key limes, you can use the Persian ones!!
If at all possible (and if it’s in your budget), use something high-ish quality, like Ghirardelli!! That’s what I tend to use. This will give you the best fudge texture and flavor, and you’ll notice the difference.
Absolutely!! I’ve heard of people using crumbled vanilla wafers and/or gingersnaps successfully as crusts.
Other recipes you may enjoy
Key Lime Pie Fudge
Equipment
Ingredients
For the crust (optional)
- ¼ cup butter, melted 1/2 stick
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 package graham crackers about 9 rectangles
For the fudge
- 2 bags Ghiradelli classic white chips 11 oz. each
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 oz.
- 2 tablespoons finely grated lime zest
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
- Line a 9×9-in. baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- If making a crust (otherwise skip to step 3), preheat oven to 375°F. Place the graham crackers in a food processor and pulse until they resemble fine crumbs. Add the butter and sugar and pulse just until mixed. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Remove from the oven and allow to cool while you prepare the fudge layer.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chips and sweetened condensed milk. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each cooking time until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Add the zest and juice. Working quickly, mix until thoroughly combined. Evenly pour the fudge into the prepared pan over the graham cracker crust, if using, and smooth it out. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until the fudge is completely set.
- Remove the fudge from the pan using the foil to lift it out. Use a sharp knife and cut the fudge into 1-inch squares.
- Store fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 2 weeks.
Notes
- Before serving, allow the fudge to come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- Makes about 1 1/2 pounds.
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Originally published on May 7, 2014. Updated on April 10, 2022.
I love key lime pie, so I had to click on this! Looks delicious and I am pinning it right now! Can't wait to try it!
Mmmm.. I love key lime. This looks super delicious! Pinned
What a great twist!! I would have never thought of this but now I am dying to try it!! Pinning!!
Hugs
Jamie, what a great take on key lime pie – yum! Yes, I totally hate when you click on a Pinterest link to nowhere – one of my major pet peeves! 🙂 Love this and pinning! Have a happy Wednesday!
I love key lime so this would be great. Can you use key lime juice instead of lime juice. I have lots of key limes. Might be a little tart.
Thanks,
Bev
Absolutely, Bev!! I actually used key lime juice for mine!
Given key lime juice is used to make key lime pie, I think it would be even better made with KLJ! 🙂 making some now but no KLJ on hand.
I love key lime I am so excited you have made this a fudge!
Living in Florida, I LOVE KEY LIME PIE 🙂 I can't wait to try it in fudge form, for me the graham cracker is a must 🙂 pinning to remember this.
Kristy @ 3 Peppers Recipes – Crafts, Cooking & Color
Love key lime pie and, really, just about anything with key limes in them. Living in Florida I think it is a must! This looks absolutely fabulous and can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing on Wake Up Wednesdays.
Those look AMAZING. I have to try them the minute i have a second!
Found you via Thursday Favorite Things!
This looks wonderful!!!
Oh so delish, I cannot wait to try the Key Lime Fudge!….
xoxo
Karena
Soiree by Danielle Rollins Giveaway!
What!!! I'm making this key lime fudge for my hubby, Thank you! and thank you for sharing your sweet blog at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop ♥
Oh boy. This is my kinda treat!
Yummy, yummy! This fudge is the perfect flavor for summer! Thanks so much for sharing it at my first Creative Ways Link Party! Have a wonderful Mother's Day!
Blessings,
Nici
Wow! This looks so delicious. I love that you added a crust!
Thank you for linking up to Tasty Tuesdays last week. As one of the co-hosts, I will be featuring your recipe on Tasty Tuesdays tomorrow on my site, Detours in Life. Congrats! Please stop by and grab a feature button when you get a chance.
Oh my goodness, and I just love the key lime flavor! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday and hope you have a great week!
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
This looks delicious! Your photos are beautiful too! It makes me want to reach right through the computer and grab one:)
This looks GREAT! It's hard for me to find dessert recipes that my ultra healthy hubby will eat, but looking at the ingredients … he would totally approve of this (without the crust). It's on the to-make list for this weekend! Thanks for sharing at Cook it! Craft it! Share it! last week. Hope to see you again tomorrow evening!
XO,
Katie
My husband will love you for this recipe – his two favourite things in one 🙂 Pinning immediately
this looks absolutely delicious!
I think I may have fainted a little- this looks sooooo good. 🙂 Thank you for sharing this with us at Treasure Box Tuesday, Jamie. I have pinned and shared on Facebook!
Stopping by to say hi, all of your recipes look soooo delicious! I'm looking forward to exploring more around your blog!
-Kayla
I love it when I see "easy recipes", especially when they look so great! This looks delicious and I can't wait to try it!! Would love you to link up to our linky party to share more of your awesome recipes 🙂 http://smartpartyplanning.com/category/marvellous-monday-linky-parties/
I absolutely LOVE Key Lime anything! Your fudge looks so tasty!
Making this!!
I'm a new key lime fan, so this fudge is definitely a must-try!
Key Lime Pie always makes me think of my honeymoon so, of course, I LOVE it! 🙂 This looks fantastic!!!
My life is complete.
My husband has been asking for key lime pie… this might be a fun alternative. What a great idea!
Do you think this would work with any kind of "hippie milk" instead of canned milk? My daughter and I can't have milk, so I was thinking about using coconut milk instead. Thoughts?
I had just made this and it was a super easy treat for the kids, tastes perfect but I just used a gram cracker pie crust thanks good recipe
You sold me when you said "no candy thermometer" was necessary! My mom was a native Floridian so Key Lime Pie was always part of our Christmas. She would have loved this delicious fudge. It is so easy to make & I will include it in our Christmas spread from now on. I am sure she is smiling. Thanks so much!
I made this fudge and entered it into our county fair. I won the Sweepstakes with it! My new favorite fudge! Thank you for the recipe!
Please don’t leave a review until you’ve at least tried to make it that’s why everyone looks at the reviews
Made this Today for a Get Together, the filling is delicious! I didn’t have a zester and the food processor couldn’t mince it so I had to leave the peel out, I also used brown sugar instead of white and I had Cinnamon Graham crakers so I used those(the crust was delicious as well)♡. Just waiting on Fudge to set in fridge 🙂