Lime Chiffon Cheesecake

The third variation – and possibly my favorite – of my grandmother’s refrigerator cheesecake. I’ve done a lemon version as well as an orange Dreamsicle version. See my newly updated post: Variations on a Theme – Chiffon Cheesecakes for more info on this cheesecake and links to all versions.

1 13.5 oz box graham cracker crumbs
2 sticks butter
2 cups sugar
8 oz cream cheese
9 oz lime Jell-o
1 1/3 cup water (approximately – see instructions)
2 cans cream (evaporated milk)
3 limes, juiced and zested

Refrigerate cans of cream and mixing bowl and mixer beaters.

Melt butter and prepare crumb-crust according to package directions. Press into bottom of a [easyazon-link keywords=”12 18 pan” locale=”us”]12 x 18 inch roasting pan[/easyazon-link]. Refrigerate.

Place strained lime juice in measuring cup and fill with water to 1 1/3 cups. Boil. Fully dissolve Jell-O in the water and juice. Set aside to cool.

Beat together cream cheese, sugar and lime zest.

After Jello-O has cooled slightly, but well before it is set, mix with the cream cheese mixture.

Remove cold bowl and cream from refrigerator and whip as you would heavy whipping cream. You will not quite manage stiff peaks, but you should get close. Note: the colder the cream and bowl are, the more air will be able to be whipped into the cream and the lighter your cheesecake will be.

Fold the cream into the lime mixture until there are no streaks remaining. Pour into crust and refrigerate.

The lime zest getting ready to be mixed with the cream cheese and sugar:

The lime Jell-O prepared with the lime juice:

Folding the whipped evaporated milk into the Jell-O & cream cheese mixture:

The finished cheesecake, topped with sugared lime zest: