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    Home » Recipes » Cupcakes, Cakes, and Cheesecakes » Easy Carlota de Limón (Charlotte Russe Dessert)

    Easy Carlota de Limón (Charlotte Russe Dessert)

    Published: May 27, 2020 Modified: Apr 28, 2022 by Isabel Laessig

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    This Carlota de Limón recipe is a classic Mexican no-bake dessert recipe that is easy to make and so delicious! With layers of vanilla wafers, condensed milk, dulce de leche, and fresh lime and strawberries, this is a sweet and tangy icebox cake we guarantee you will love.

    The best part? It takes 30 minutes to make, and is ready to eat after freezing!

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

    Also known as a Charlotte Russe dessert, or Pay de Limón, this cake is an easy Mexican dessert with layers of cookies, condensed and evaporated milk, and lime juice.

    It’s an easy icebox cake recipe served chilled with a delicious strawberry lime topping.

    Jump to:
    • 🍽 Equipment
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 👪 Serving Size
    • 💭 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🍰 Serving Suggestions
    • 📖 Similar Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    🍽 Equipment

    To make this easy icebox cake recipe, you will need:

    • A cake pan
    • Aluminum foil
    • A spatula or spoon
    • Tools to mix the filling with: you can use an electric hand mixer, stand mixer, or whisk by hand

    The best choice is to use a springform pan to make it easier to remove the cake from the pan once it’s done chilling. However, you can also use a regular cake pan.

    Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer will make your job a bit easier with mixing the filling, but you will not have any trouble mixing by hand if necessary.

    Single slice of Carlota de Limon with strawberries on top on a white plate

    🥘 Ingredients

    For the cake itself:

    • 1 ½ cups evaporated milk
    • 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
    • ½ cup dulce de leche (or substitute with more condensed milk)
    • Zest of 2 large limes – how to zest a lime
    • Juice of 2-3 large limes (equal to ½ cup lime juice)
    • 1 package vanilla wafers, tea biscuits, or Maria cookies

    For the strawberry lime topping:

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

    What are Maria cookies?

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

    In the case of this classic Mexican dessert, Maria biscuits, vanilla wafers, or tea cookies layer with the other ingredients for a pleasant texture and flavor.

    Where can I buy Maria cookies?

    You will easily find Maria cookies at any grocery store or supermarket. Look in the snacks section with the other cookies. If they are not with the other cookies, check the international aisle.

    Maria cookies typically come in an orange box or a red or gold package. If you’re not able to find Maria cookies, use vanilla wafers or tea cookies. In fact, we use vanilla wafers in this recipe!

    🔪 Instructions

    How to Make Carlota de Limón:

    1. Combine 1 ½ cups evaporated milk, 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk, and ½ cup dulce de leche in a mixing bowl. Beat with a hand mixer or the whisk attachment of a stand mixer until well-combined. You can also use a whisk and mix by hand.
    2. Add the zest of 2 large limes along with the juice (about ½ cup of lime juice) to the bowl. Continue to mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
    3. If using a regular cake pan, wrap the bottom of the pan with enough foil to hang over the edges of the pan. This will make it easier to remove from the pan later.
    4. Arrange a layer of vanilla wafers across the bottom of the pan.
      Layered vanilla wafers for Carlota de Limon
      Pour ⅓ of the milk mixture over the cookies and smooth with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
      Mixing the base of Carlota de Limon
      Repeat 2 more times, with the final layer being the milk mixture. Smooth the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
      Smoothed Carlota de Limon base over cookies in pan
    5. Add the cake to the freezer and allow it to chill for an hour or two. Serve, and enjoy!
      Slice of Carlota de Limon  on a white plate with a fork and fresh strawberries on toptopped with fresh strawberries

    How to Make Strawberry Topping with Lime:

    1. Slice 1 package (about 2-3 cups) of strawberries into quarters.
    2. Add the strawberries to a bowl with the zest and juice of 1 lime.
    3. Stir until completely combined.
      Sliced strawberry lime topping in a little white cup for Carlota de Limón
    4. Top the cake with the mixture after removing from the freezer. Enjoy!
      Carlota de Limón out of the freezer, topped with strawberry lime topping

    👪 Serving Size

    Once it’s done freezing, this Charlotte Russe dessert will make enough for about 10 slices.

    It’s perfect for parties – especially a Cinco de Mayo celebration or as a fun alternative to your usual birthday cake!

    💭 Frequently Asked Questions

    What does Carlota de Limón taste like?

    This is a decadent, sweet, and tangy dessert. It has a creamy consistency similar to ice cream, with layers of texture from the vanilla wafers.

    The flavor is similar to a key lime pie, with additional richness from the condensed and evaporated milk. It is so yummy!

    🍰 Serving Suggestions

    Try serving this delicious no-bake strawberry dessert for a party with other Mexican recipes! You can also try topping it with our favorite Strawberry Sauce recipe – it is so delicious. Here are some of our favorite suggestions for serving before a slice of this cake:

    • Completed bowl of Mexican Instant Pot chicken rice soup with tortilla strips
      Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
    • Mexican lasagna recipe served on a white plate with tomatoes and green onions
      Mexican Lasagna Recipe
    • Elotes Mexicanos on a white platter
      Elote Recipe
    • chilaquiles with fried eggs, avocado slices, jalapenos, and avocado crema in a pan
      Chilaquiles Recipe

    And of course, a slice of this cake pairs beautifully with some of our favorite drink recipes. Try it out with these:

    • frose recipe in glasses with fresh strawberries with a white pitcher just in frame
      Frosé Recipe (Frozen Rosé)
    • Three glasses of strawberry daiquiri with skewers of fruit on top
      Strawberry Daiquiri with Vodka
    • A glass jar of momosa mimosa recipe with fresh berries and a champagne bottle
      “MOMosa” Best Mimosa Recipe
    • Moscato sangria in a pitcher
      Moscato Sangria Recipe 🍹

    Give our easy Cheerio Cereal Bars a try, too!

    📖 Similar Recipes

    Try more of our favorite easy desserts for a crowd! If you love this recipe, you will definitely enjoy these:

    • This beautiful Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake is easy to make at home and it's an absolute classic. Homemade strawberry sauce and smooth, creamy baked cheesecake. 
      Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe
    • strawberry shortcake biscuit on a plate with a spoon
      Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits
    • Three chocolate ganache dipped strawberries
      Chocolate Covered Strawberries
    • Strawberry dole whip in a glass with a fresh strawberry and a spoon
      Dole Whip Recipe

    And definitely try our Fresas con Crema. It’s a Mexican strawberries and cream dessert everyone loves that takes only 10 minutes to make! Perfect for serving alongside this icebox cake:

    • Fresas con Crema in a clear bowl
      Fresas con Crema

    Did you try this recipe? Let us know what you think in the comments below! We love to hear from you.

    📋 Recipe

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

    Carlota de Limón

    Isabel Laessig
    Sweet and tangy Carlota de Limón is a classic Mexican NO BAKE dessert recipe with layers of Maria biscuits, condensed milk, dulce de leche, and lime juice!
    4.69 from 19 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Freeze Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 10 slices
    Calories 201 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Carlota de Limón

    • 1 ½ cups evaporated milk
    • 1 can condensed milk 14 oz.
    • ½ cup dulce de leche or sub extra sweetened condensed milk
    • 2 large limes zested
    • 3 large limes juiced (equals ½ cup lime juice); about 2 to 3 large limes
    • 1 package vanilla wafers or tea biscuits, or Maria cookies

    Strawberry Lime Topping

    • 1 package strawberries about 2-3 cups
    • 1 lime juiced
    • 1 lime zested
    Cooking Conversions

    See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

    Instructions
     

    For Carlota de Limón

    • 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 ½ 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 ⅓ 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.

    For Strawberry Lime Mixture

    • 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.

    Video

    Notes

    Always wrap a piece of tinfoil around the bottom of a springform pan in order to prevent leaking. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 6gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 92mgPotassium: 352mgFiber: 2gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 215IUVitamin C: 32.5mgCalcium: 229mgIron: 0.5mg
    Keyword Cinco de Mayo Recipes
    Did you try this recipe?Tag #SundaySupper on social and leave a comment below!
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    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. lk529 says

      May 03, 2017 at 5:14 pm

      You’ve got to love a dessert that’s impressive yet secretly simple to do!

      Reply
    2. Cricket Plunkett says

      May 10, 2017 at 9:17 am

      This looks like one perfect desert, perfect for spring!

      Reply
    3. Nikole Smith says

      December 14, 2018 at 10:47 am

      Looks wonderful, I will be trying this!! Silly question though, how do you get it out of the round pan and onto the plate without messing it up and/or leaving the aluminum foil underneath it??

      Reply
      • Marion Myers says

        December 17, 2018 at 1:44 pm

        Thank you, Nikole! I’m glad you like this recipe and are going to try it. We can’t wait to hear how you like it. To get it out of the pan just lift up with the aluminum foil and then you can slide it off the foil onto a serving plate. It’s frozen, so it is quite easy to handle. I hope that helps! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

        Reply
    4. Jeanine says

      December 24, 2020 at 8:11 pm

      5 stars
      This is so good and so easy to make. It was the family Christmas day dessert for the second year in a row. I had to make it gluten free and could not find gluten free vanilla wafers, so I bought gluten free vanilla sandwich cookies, scraped out the filling, and used the two halves as wafers. Worked beautifully. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Isabel Laessig says

        December 29, 2020 at 2:45 pm

        Hi Jeanine… I also love this recipe. Thanks for the tips on making it gluten free! You came up with a great solution.

        Reply
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