Easy Key Lime Mousse Tarts

These easy Key Lime Mousse Tarts are mini in size but are filled with a delicious smooth and creamy blend of sweet and tart.

These mini Key Lime Mousse Tarts are just too cute and they taste like springtime to me. I really never thought there was much difference between regular limes and key limes. Then again, I had never tried a key lime until I made this key lime filling.

Making a creamy mousse filling with the key limes was a perfect way to use already-made phyllo cups that I had in the freezer. The mini key lime mousse cups are perfect for a spring or summer dessert, a great addition to brunch menus, and would be lovely to serve at a baby or bridal shower. I would even love to serve them for a delicious Mother’s Day dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Key Lime Mousse Mini Tarts

Create a burst of citrusy delight with our mini key lime tarts! These bite-sized treats are a refreshing and indulgent dessert option. Simple to make and bursting with flavor, they’re sure to impress at any gathering or as a special treat for yourself.

Keep a pack or two of the frozen phyllo tart shells in your freezer to have on hand when you need a quick dessert to serve your guests or to take to a gathering. This is a no-bake recipe and the filling can be made a day ahead and then fill the tart shells right before serving.

What are Key Limes?

The Key lime has thinner rind and is smaller, seedier, more acidic and more aromatic than the Persian lime. The name comes from its association with the Florida Keys, where it is best known as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie. Key limes are a bit more tart than then regular limes and the fruit itself smells so good. Using key limes in sweet recipes balances out the sweetness.

Can you use Bottle Key Lime Juice?

You can use bottled key lime juice, but the flavor of fresh key lime juice is much brighter and more intense than the bottled variety. Be sure to read the label of the juice to make sure it contains 100% key lime juice as some manufacturers will add high fructose corn syrup and you do not want that.

Can you use regular lime juice?

If you cannot find key limes, your best substitution would be an equal amount of fresh lime juice and lemon juice.

⏰Time-Saving Tips and Variations

💡Explore my favorite Kitchen Essentials (Amazon affiliate link)

🥣Equipment

• large mixing bowl
• hand-held electric mixer
• measuring cups and spoons (space saver set)
• citrus zester
• citrus juicer
• piping bag or large plastic resealable bag

📃Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons key lime zest (about 2 – 3 key limes)
• 1/4 cup key lime juice (about 8 – 10 key limes)
• 2 1.9 ounce packages of frozen phyllo mini tart shells, thawed
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened
• 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
• small slices of key limes and fresh raspberries for garnish, if desired

Directions

Your first step is to zest about 3 – 4 key limes as you will need 2 teaspoons of zest. Then, juice 8 -10 key limes to get 1/4 fresh key lime juice from them. Set both aside. Next, take the phyllo cups from the freezer so they thaw a bit before filling them.

Using a handheld mixer, beat the whipping cream in a large bowl until stiff peaks are formed. Set the bowl aside. In another large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and zest until smooth and creamy. At this point, grab a rubber spatula and gently fold the whipping cream into the lime cream cheese mixture.

Chill the key lime mousse filling for at least an hour before filling each mini tart shell. Fill the mini phyllo shells right before serving so the bottoms of the shells do not get soggy.

I like to spoon the chilled filling into a large resealable bag, then snip a small piece from one corner and pipe the filling into the phyllo shells. Garnish the tarts with a small slice of key lime and a fresh raspberry, if desired.

The key lime mousse filling can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Then give it a good mix and fill the mini tart shells.

Other Desserts You May Enjoy

• No-Bake Mini Strawberry Cheesecake Cups – Phyllo cups filled with creamy strawberry cheesecake mousse
• Pink Lemonade Rice Krispie Treats – Fun twist on the classic rice cereal treat
• Key Lime Bars– Only TWO ingredients

2024 Alphabet Challenge – “K”

In updating this post, I am sharing it in the 2024 Alphabet Challenge in which fellow foodies will share recipes with the letters of the alphabet. Twice a month we will bring you two letters – recipes that either start with the letter or the main food in the recipe starts with that letter. Today is the letter “K” and I am sharing these delicious mini Key Lime Mousse Tarts with you. Here is what the others are sharing. To see all the recipes I have shared in this challenge, go here.

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Kwasnica (Polish Sauerkraut and Pork Soup) 

Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Key Lime Pie Cocktails 

Mayuri’s Jikoni: Khamang Kakdi 

Sneha’s Recipe: Kala Chana Batata Chaat 

Culinary Cam: Purple Napa Kimchi 

Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice Kalamata, Mozzarella, & Tomato Couscous Salad 

Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Kung Pao Chicken 

Food Lust People Love: Korean Barbecue-Style Meatballs 

I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this one! I hope you try it, enjoy it, comment and rate it, and share it with your friends and family!

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