Homemade Key Lime Ice Cream is creamy, cold, and made with only a few ingredients: low-fat sweetened condensed milk, half-and-half, fat-free half-and-half, and key lime juice.
It has that sweet and tart key lime flavor without a long ingredient list, which makes it a nice dessert for summer nights, cookouts, or anytime you want something chilled after dinner.
This recipe is made in an ice cream maker, so the texture turns out smooth and scoopable.
Keep it in the freezer for when you want a citrus dessert that doesn’t feel heavy. Add it to a cone, serve it in a small bowl, or pair it with graham cracker crumbs if you want a key lime pie vibe.
A medium bowl and a whisk work well for mixing the base before it goes into the ice cream maker.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Key Lime Ice Cream
It Uses Only 4 Ingredients
You only need sweetened condensed milk, half-and-half, fat-free half-and-half, and key lime juice.
It Has Sweet-Tart Flavor
The key lime juice balances the creamy milk mixture, so the flavor is bright without being too sharp.
It’s a Make-Ahead Dessert
Since this needs time to freeze, you can make it earlier in the day and serve it later.
It Works for Summer
This is a cold dessert that works well after grilled dinners, BBQ meals, and warm-weather meals.
It’s Creamy Without Heavy Cream
The mix of half-and-half and fat-free half-and-half keeps the texture creamy while using common dairy ingredients.
Ingredient Substitutions
Regular Lime Juice
Use regular lime juice if key lime juice isn’t available. The flavor will be a little different, but it will still work.
Full-Fat Sweetened Condensed Milk
Use regular sweetened condensed milk if that’s what you have. The ice cream may taste richer.
All Half-and-Half
Use 2 cups of regular half-and-half if you don’t have fat-free half-and-half.
Bottled Key Lime Juice
Bottled key lime juice works if fresh key limes aren’t available.
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Homemade Key Lime Ice Cream
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 can (14oz) low-fat sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
- ½ cup key lime juice
Instructions
- Place the condensed milk, half and half, and key lime juice in a bowl.
- Stir the ingredients together using a whisk until they are well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the freezer can of the ice cream maker.
- Follow the instructions provided by the ice cream maker's manufacturer to freeze the mixture.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Use Fresh Key Lime Juice for Stronger Flavor – Fresh key lime juice gives a brighter citrus taste than bottled juice. Add Graham Cracker Crumbs Before Serving – Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over each serving if you want it to taste more like key lime pie. Freeze Longer for Firm Scoops – The ice cream may be soft right after churning. Place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze longer for a firmer texture. Soften Before Serving – Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before scooping if it is too firm.Nutrition
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