Carlota de Limon and Maria Cookies
Carlota de Limon (Lime Icebox cake)
I have never been a big fan of Graham Crackers, I am not sure why. They were often eaten in my home growing up, sometimes with milk and sometimes smothered with chocolate frosting for a quick dessert. When we moved to Mexico they just could not be found. The culture didn't know what a Graham Cracker was, and many of the recipes I was used to making called for them. That is when I met the Maria Cookie...and I haven't looked back. The Maria Cookie can now be found in any US store, just like the Graham Cracker can now be found in Mexico. But that has changed nothing for me...I am Team Maria! Even when I am in the US I look for the Maria Cookie to make the recipes that have typically been made with Graham Crackers.
The Maria Cookie is a shortbread type cookie. It has a subtle vanilla flavor and is not too sweet. They can easily be ground into fine crumbs for pies or layered in delicious ice box cake recipes. I use them for everything.
This pie is made from lime juice...it's what Mexico lives for. It's not too often you will see a yellow lemon in Mexico, yet the work "Limon" refers to a Lime not a Lemon. This Ice Box Cake is so simple and so fresh! You will love it! I hope you will come to love the Maria Cookie like I do!
Carlota de Limon
½ c. fresh lime juice (4-5 limes)
Zest of limes
1 can evaporated milk
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2-3 tsp. Casa Bella Vida Vanilla
2 sleeves Mexican Maria Cookies (galletas Maria)
Squeeze limes. Add evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice and Casa Bella Vida Vanilla to a blender. Blend together for a minute until it’s a thin pudding mixture.
In an 8x8 pan, pour a little cream mixture to coat pan. Layer with Maria cookies, pour cream mixture to cover cookies and sprinkle with lime zest. Repeat until no ingredients are left. It should be about 3 layers. You may need to break the cookies to cover the empty spaces.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, until firm and set. Top with whipped cream. So very simple and so delicious!
