Carlota de Limón is a creamy Mexican dessert that requires no baking, and is made with only 5 ingredients! It is lemony, perfectly sweetened, super creamy, and easy to make. This is the perfect low-effort dessert to make for the springtime.
Carlota de Limón
Carlota de Limón is a classic Mexican dessert that does not require any baking. It is typically made with layers of thin cookies (Maria cookies) and a creamy base made from canned milk and sweetened condensed milk. I am making my completely dairy-free and with a gluten-free option for the cookies. It is one of those recipes that you can make over and over again. It is so easy to make, requires minimal dishes, and about 15 minutes of actual work.
Ingredients to Make a Carlota de Limón
All you’ll need is 5 ingredients and 5 easy steps!
- Coconut cream – You would think that adding coconut cream would give this dessert a coconut flavor but that is not the case! If you are a supertaster you might be able to taste a hint of coconut (maybe 1/10 on a scale of 1-10).
- Sweetened condensed coconut milk – I found this at Whole Foods in a small can size of 7.4 ounces. You can also check your local grocery store or get it online.
- Vanilla extract – Adds the perfect balance to the lemony tartness!
- Lemon or lime juice (or both) – I used a mix of both in this recipe and it came out amazing. Go with whichever you have or with whichever you like most.
- Thin cookies – Maria cookies are the classic type of cookies used in this recipe. However, they are not vegan. You can find similar cookies that are not Gamesa brand and do not have milk powder. The Soriana and Gisa brand cookies are accidentally vegan. I have used graham crackers and they did the trick! I also recommend using Simple Mills lemon Sweet Thins as a nutrient-dense, naturally gluten-free option!
Steps to Make a Carlota de Limón
- Add all ingredients besides the cookies to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour a little bit of that mixture into a baking dish or glass Tupperware to barely cover the bottom.
- Add the first layer of cookies, pour another few ounces of coconut cream mixture, and repeat the process until you use all the ingredients.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 6 hours.
- Once you’re ready to serve it, flip it onto a plate to slice it or dig in as is!
Vegan Lemon Dessert
This is the perfect dessert to make for a springtime gathering, potluck, and celebration. Most people are lactose intolerant or simply do not eat dairy so this dessert makes it easy for everyone to enjoy no matter their dietary restrictions!
Refrigerate this carlota de limon overnight for best results. This recipe makes a small version perfect for two people to share. If you want to make a family-sized version make sure to double or triple the ingredients! You will most likely want the leftovers too 😉
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Carlota de Limón
- Total Time: 8 hours
- Yield: 2-4 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Carlota de Limon is a creamy Mexican dessert that requires no baking and only 5 ingredients! It is lemony, perfectly sweetened, super creamy, and easy to make. This is the perfect low-effort dessert to make for the springtime.
Ingredients
- 1/2 can of coconut cream
- 1 can of sweetened condensed coconut milk (7.4 oz)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup of lemon or lime juice (or both)
- 1 packet of thin cookies (see above)
Equipment:
- 16 oz baking dish or glass tupperware
Garnish:
- Lemon/lime slices
- Lemon/lime zest
- Cookie crumbles
Instructions
- Add coconut cream, sweetened condensed coconut milk, vanilla extract, and lemon/lime juice to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Pour a few ounces into a 16oz baking dish or glass tupperware to barely cover the bottom.
- Next, add the first layer of cookies, and pour another few ounces of coconut cream mixture. Add another layer of cookies on top of that and repeat the process until you use all the ingredients.
- Once the dish is filled, cover and place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 6 hours.
- Once you’re ready to serve it, flip it onto a plate to slice it or dig in as is! Enjoy!
Notes
*store in refrigerator for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: dessert
- Method: no-cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
