Name: Carlota de Limón
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 10 slices
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk; 1 can condensed milk (14 oz.); 1/2 cup dulce de leche (or sub extra sweetened condensed milk); 2 large limes (zested); 3 large limes (juiced (equals 1/2 cup lime juice); about 2 to 3 large limes); 1 package vanilla wafers (or tea biscuits, or Maria cookies); 1 package strawberries (about 2-3 cups); 1 lime juiced; 1 lime zested

Sweet and tangy Carlota de Limón, also known as a Charlotte Russe dessert or icebox cake, is a classic Mexican no bake dessert recipe with layers of vanilla wafers, condensed milk, dulce de leche, and lime juice, topped off with fresh strawberries and lime!

Single slice of Carlota de Limon with fresh strawberries and a fork to serve

Photos and recipe by The Rustic Foodie

What is Carlota de Limón?

Carlota de Limón, or Pay de Limón, is a Mexican dessert with layers of Maria biscuits, vanilla wafers, or tea cookies, condensed and evaporated milk, and lime juice. It is an easy icebox cake recipe served chilled a delicious strawberry lime topping.

Typically, a charlotte is a type of dessert you can serve hot or cold. In this case, we kept it an icebox cake.

What does Carlota de Limón taste like?

Containing condensed and evaporated milk, lime juice and, in the case of this recipe, a little dulce de leche, Carlota de Limón is a decadent, sweet and tangy dessert. It has a creamy consistency similar to ice cream, with layers of texture from vanilla wafers, tea biscuits, or Maria cookies.

The flavor of Carlota de Limón is similar to a key lime pie, with additional richness from condensed and evaporated milk.

Ingredients for a Charlotte Russe Dessert

To make Carlota de Limón, you only need a few simple ingredients:

1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup dulce de leche (or sub with more sweetened condensed milk)
Zest of 2 large limes
Juice of 2-3 large limes (equals 1/2 cup lime juice)
1 package vanilla wafers, tea biscuits, or Maria cookies

For the Strawberry Topping with Lime:

1 package strawberries (about 2-3 cups)
Zest of 1 lime
Juice of 1 lime

What are Maria cookies?

Maria biscuits, also known as Maria cookies or galletas María, are simple, subtly sweet cookies that make a delicious snack, and pair well with tea, coffee, or a glass of milk.

In Carlota de Limón, vanilla wafers, tea biscuits, or Maria biscuits layer with the other ingredients for a pleasant texture and subtle flavor.

Where to Buy Maria cookies

You will easily find Maria cookies at any grocery store or supermarket. Look in the snacks section, where the cookies are. If you can’t find them there, check the international aisle.

Many brands make Maria cookies, and you can usually find them in an orange box or a red or gold package. If you can’t find Maria cookies, we recommend looking for vanilla wafers or tea cookies.

In this recipe, we use vanilla wafers.

How to Make Carlota de Limón/How to make Charlotte Russe

Making Carlota de Limón is so easy! Best of all, there’s no baking involved.

Combine evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and dulce de leche in a bowl. Beat with hand mixer or the whisk attachment of a Kitchen Aid mixer until combined.
Add the zest of 2 large limes along with the juice of the limes (about 1/2 cup) to the bowl. Continue to mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Wrap a piece of tinfoil around the bottom of a spring form pan.
Arrange a layer of the wafers or cookies across the bottom of the pan. Pour 1/3 of the mixture over the cookies and smooth with a spatula. Repeat 2 more times, ending with the mixture. Smooth with a spatula.
Pop the dessert in the freezer and allow to chill for an hour or two.

: Continue to mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

: Arrange a layer of the wafers or cookies across the bottom of the pan.

: Smooth with a spatula.

For the Strawberry Topping with Lime:

Cut 1 package (about 2-3 cups) of strawberries into quarters. Place the strawberries in a bowl. Add the zest of 1 lime along with the juice of 1 lime to the strawberries. Stir until completely combined.
To serve: Remove the dessert from the freezer. Top with the strawberry lime mixture. Cut into pieces and serve.

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We would love to know what you think of this recipe! Leave a comment below to let us know!

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