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This No-Bake Key Lime Eclair Dessert is a cross between an easy key lime pie, lime lush dessert, and key lime icebox cake! It really does taste like an éclair, but without all the work and with all the key lime flavor.

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One slice of key lime eclair on a plate topped with lime wedges


What is Key Lime Éclair

This key lime no bake eclair is what happens when you combine an icebox cake with a trifle, eclair, and no-bake lush dessert.

Instead of chocolate, this is a key lime eclair dessert. It’s basically a layered dessert (like a key lime trifle) with a creamy filling (similar to an eclair) that’s flavored with lime (like key lime pie!), and graham crackers that add to the whole eclair flavor.

This no-bake eclair is so much easier than a regular one. You don’t have to make the pastry, bake anything, and you don’t have to temper eggs to make the pastry cream.

Instead, we’re using graham crackers, a key lime pudding, and Cool Whip to make an eclair-tasting dessert that is way less work. Emphasis on “way less!”

This easy eclair dessert is just that – refreshing and light! It really is the perfect summer dessert.

VIDEO: How to make Key Lime Lush

Ingredients in Lime Lush Dessert

  • Instant vanilla pudding mix
  • Milk
  • Key lime juice
  • Lime zest
  • Graham crackers
  • Cool Whip
  • Sliced limes or lime zest for decorating

How to make Key Lime Eclair Dessert

1. Whisk the pudding mix and milk in a bowl. Let it sit until it’s almost set, and then whisk in the lime juice and zest. Fold Cool Whip into the éclair pudding.

2. Place a single layer of graham crackers in the bottom of an 8 or 9” baking pan. Break the crackers, if needed, to make them fit. The whole bottom of the pan should be covered.

3. Spread 1/3 of the pudding filling over the top of the crackers. Top the filling with more crackers and continue layering the two until you end up with a layer of graham crackers on top. I usually get four layers total.

4. Frost the top with the rest of the whipped topping. Cover and chill the eclair dessert for at least four hours or, ideally, overnight.

5. Before serving it, decorate the top with sliced limes and/or lime zest, if desired.

Key lime eclair dessert in glass baking dish with lime wedges on top

How to Store Eclair Lush

Keep the lime eclair lush in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container for two to three days.

Expert Tips

  • You can juice key limes yourself or do what I do: buy key lime juice! For the zest, you can use regular limes.
  • I like to add lime juice to the vanilla pudding because it tastes great! If you don’t want to deal with lime juice, you can substitute key lime instant pudding jello for the vanilla pudding.
  • Be sure to buy large graham crackers and not graham cracker cookies or crumbs.
  • The longer you chill the lime lush dessert, the softer the graham crackers will be, making it easier to slice. I highly recommend making it a day in advance so it can chill and set overnight.
  • You can use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip, but it doesn’t hold up as well. After a day or so, the whipped cream will start to weep and make the eclair dessert soggy.
  • Don’t love lime? You can make this recipe with lemon instead!
One slice of key lime eclair on a plate topped with lime wedges missing one corner bite

More No Bake Desserts Perfect for Summer

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Easy No Bake Key Lime Eclair on a white plate with a fork

No Bake Key Lime Eclair

4.67 from 48 votes
No Bake Key Lime Eclair – this easy no bake recipe is like key lime pie in the form of an easy eclair! It really does taste like an eclair recipe but without all the work and all the key lime flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Yield 9 servings
Serving Size 1 serving

Ingredients
 

  • 1 3.4 ounces package vanilla instant pudding mix
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons key lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest
  • 16 full Graham Cracker sheets
  • 16 ounces cool whip divided
  • Limes or lime zest for decoration optional

Instructions

  • Whisk pudding and milk, let sit until mostly set. Whisk in lime juice and zest, then fold in one tub (8 ounces) whipped topping.
  • Line the bottom of an 8” or 9” square pan with graham crackers (break the sheets to fit). Place 1/3 of the pudding mixture on top and evenly spread it out. Top with more graham crackers, more pudding, etc, for 3 layers of pudding and 4 layers of graham crackers. (You will end with graham crackers on top.)
  • Frost the top with more whipped topping. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or overnight. Decorate with lime slices and/or zest if desired. Store loosely covered in the refrigerator.

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 46IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
One slice of key lime eclair on a plate topped with lime wedges

This No-Bake Key Lime Éclair Dessert is a cross between an easy key lime pie, lime lush dessert, and key lime icebox cake!

Last Updated on May 30, 2022



Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

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25 Comments

  1. My husband loved this, but I thought it was too sweet. I will make again with 3 tablespoons Keylime juice instead of two.

  2. Excellent recipe as written ! Making again today
    for my husband . Will be great recipe for beach vacations !

  3. Hi! Can I make this on a Friday night for a Sunday lunch? Or would that be too long in the fridge? Just don’t want it to end up soggy.

    1. I think that would work – just make sure to use cool whip and not substitute fresh whipped cream. It’s good if it sits, as the crackers become more cake like, so an extra night should be no problem.

  4. This was a very good dessert! The family loved the flavors and textures! Will definitely make again, add to our list!

    On a side note; why do people who have never tried the recipe or have made substitutions totally altering the original recipe, then compliment themselves for their recipe? It’s so ignorantly rude! At least make the recipe as given first… then do as you wish! (These people are so annoying!)

  5. I have made this before with a similiar recipe and it called for both vanilla pudding and key lime pie filling with lime jello and it was awesome. I love anything with lime in it and key lime is my favorite.

  6. I made it this morning for a dessert at the lake this evening. Filling is delightful. Only thing I changed is that I used Jello Instant cheesecake pudding. Can’t wait to share it with my friends tonight .