These Key Lime Pie Cheesecake Dessert Shooters are a delightful twist on two classic desserts, combining tangy key lime with creamy cheesecake on a spiced gingersnap crust. Each bite offers a perfect balance of zesty citrus, rich creaminess, and a crunchy, warmly spiced base that’s impossible to resist. Ready in just 45 minutes, they’re an effortless yet impressive treat for any occasion.
Packed with vibrant flavors and a luxurious texture, these shooters are as visually stunning as they are delicious. The smooth cheesecake filling contrasts beautifully with the crumbly gingersnap crust, while the bright lime adds a refreshing finish. At only 146 calories per shooter, you can indulge guilt-free in this decadent, bite-sized dessert that’s sure to wow your guests.
Ingredients for Key Lime Pie Cheesecake Dessert Shooters
- Crust:
- ⅔ cup gingersnap crumbs (about 13 cookies pulsed in a food processor)
- 1 Tbsp butter, melted
- Key Lime Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup Key Lime juice (fresh or bottled)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- Whipped Cream Topping:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Lime zest and/or gingersnap crumbs for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Crust:
- Set out 32 2-oz disposable shot glasses.
- In a medium bowl, mix gingersnap crumbs and melted butter until combined.
- Press 1 ½ – 2 tsp of the crumb mixture into the bottom of each shot glass. Set aside.
- Make the Filling:
- In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add sweetened condensed milk and beat until fully combined.
- Gradually stir in Key Lime juice on low speed, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
- In a separate bowl, beat 1 ½ cups heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the Key Lime mixture until fully combined.
- Transfer the filling to a large ziploc bag, snip off one corner, and pipe the filling into the shot glasses, filling each ¾ of the way.
- Prepare the Whipped Cream Topping:
- In a medium-large bowl, combine 1 cup heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Whisk on high speed (preferably with an electric mixer) until stiff peaks form.
- Dollop or pipe the whipped cream onto each shooter.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle with lime zest and/or gingersnap crumbs if desired. Serve immediately or chill until ready to enjoy.
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions
These Key Lime Pie Cheesecake Shooters are a hit on their own, but they shine even brighter with a few thoughtful pairings. Serve them alongside a tropical fruit platter with pineapple, mango, and kiwi for a refreshing contrast. For a cozy twist, pair them with a spiced chai latte or a cup of earl grey tea to complement the gingersnap crust. They’re also perfect for dessert tables at parties—arrange them on a tiered stand for a stunning presentation!
Make-Ahead Magic: Storage Tips
These shooters are a great make-ahead dessert! Assemble them up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap. Add the whipped cream topping and garnish just before serving to keep it fresh and fluffy. If you have leftovers (though they’re hard to resist!), they’ll stay delicious for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
Quick Swaps: Recipe Variations
Want to mix things up? Try using graham cracker crumbs instead of gingersnap for a classic cheesecake vibe. For a tangier twist, swap key lime juice with regular lime juice or even lemon juice. If you’re feeling adventurous, add a splash of tequila or rum to the filling for a boozy kick. These shooters are versatile and ready for your creative touch!
Time-Saving Hacks for Busy Bakers
Short on time? Use store-bought gingersnap crumbs to skip the food processor step. For the filling, a pre-made whipped cream can replace the homemade topping in a pinch. If you don’t have shot glasses, small disposable cups or mini mason jars work just as well. These shortcuts keep the process quick without sacrificing flavor!
Essential Equipment for Effortless Prep
To make these shooters a breeze, arm yourself with a stand mixer or hand mixer for smooth, lump-free filling. A piping bag (or a ziploc bag with the corner snipped) ensures clean, professional-looking layers. Don’t forget a microplane zester for that perfect lime garnish. With the right tools, you’ll be a dessert-shooter pro in no time!
Key Lime Pie Cheesecake Dessert Shooters (On Gingersnap Crusts!)
Ingredients
Crust
- ⅔ cup gingersnap crumbs* about 13 cookies pulsed in a food-processor
- 1 Tbsp butter melted
Key Lime Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup Key Lime juice
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
Whipped Cream Topping**
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Lime zest/gingersnap crumbs for sprinkling over shooters — optional
Instructions
- Set out 32 2-oz disposable shot glasses.
- In a medium-sized bowl, use a knife to stir together cookie crumbs and melted butter until combined.
- Press 1 ½ – 2 tsp of crumb mixture into the bottom of each shot glass.
- Prepare your filling.
- In a Kitchen-Aid/stand mixer (or using a hand-mixer), beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add sweetened condensed milk and beat until combined.
- Gradually stir in key lime juice, stirring on low-speed until combined. Be sure to pause occasionally to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- In a separate (clean) bowl, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Fold/slowly stir whipped cream into key lime mixture until completely combined.
- Pour the mixture into a large ziploc bag and snip off one of the bottom corners. Pipe the filling on top of the gingersnap crusts in the shot glasses, filling each shot glass ¾ of the way full.
- Before serving, prepare your whipped cream topping.
- In a medium-large sized bowl, combine heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Whisk on high-speed (preferably with an electric mixer, otherwise your arm will get very tired very fast) until stiff peaks form.
- Dollop or pipe whipped cream on top of each shooter.
- Garnish with lemon zest and/or gingersnap crumbs, if desired.