This no-bake light-as-a-cloud mousse combines cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, frozen whipped topping, and key lime juice into a dreamy delectable light dessert that you and your family will love!
Optional garnish: lime zest or thin strips of lime peel
Instructions
Juice the limes and set the juice aside.
Use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy. Do not try and mix in the rest of the ingredients until the cream cheese is completely soft and smooth, or your mousse will have lumps in it.
Once the cream cheese is smooth, add the sweetened condensed milk and beat until it is combined. Then add the thawed whipped topping. Continue mixing until all ingredients are combined.
Add the lime juice slowly and continue beating until the mixture is thick and smooth.
Pour into individual serving bowls or parfait glasses, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
Optional, garnish with a bit of lime zest or thin strips of lime peel.
Notes
Your mousse can be stored covered in the refrigerator for three days. Although key limes are juicer than regular limes, they are so small; you will need around 20 to make one cup of juice. If you are using regular limes, you will need five or six. If the thought of squeezing all of those tiny limes makes you dizzy, you can substitute regular or Persian lime juice for the key lime juice. You can also substitute one cup of frozen limeade in a pinch. In addition, you can make a lovely lemon mousse by using fresh lemon juice. Do not substitute purchased bottled lemon or lime juice. It will give your mousse a bitter flavor. If your limes are hard to juice, put them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to warm the fruit. It will make them softer and easier to squeeze. Also, pressing down on them with your hand and rolling them on the counter will make them easier to juice. Last but not least, cut the lime in half and try sticking a fork in it and twisting to release more juice. To soften the cream cheese, unwrap it, and put it on a microwave-safe dish. Microwave for 15-20 seconds. Test to see if it's softened by pressing it with the back of a spoon or your finger. If it doesn't give easily, put it back in for another 10 seconds. To make a Key Lime Mousse Pie, pour the mixture into a pre-made graham cracker pie crust and chill before serving.