The Ultimate Luscious Lime Angel Squares (Easy No-Bake Dessert!)
Imagine a dessert so light, so airy, and so refreshingly vibrant it tastes like a cloud of pure citrus sunshine. Now, imagine it’s a completely no-bake treat that comes together with just a few simple ingredients. That, my friends, is the effortless, elegant magic of these Luscious Lime Angel Squares. This is, without a doubt,…
Imagine a dessert so light, so airy, and so refreshingly vibrant it tastes like a cloud of pure citrus sunshine. Now, imagine it’s a completely no-bake treat that comes together with just a few simple ingredients. That, my friends, is the effortless, elegant magic of these Luscious Lime Angel Squares. This is, without a doubt, the most delightful and easy-to-make dessert you will serve all season.
Here’s the thing about classic, old-fashioned desserts: they are beloved for a reason. This recipe is a brilliant take on a retro favorite, a dessert that reminds me of festive family gatherings and potlucks. It’s not about complicated baking; it’s a clever assembly of light-as-air angel food cake cubes suspended in a fluffy, tangy, lime-and-lemon cream cheese mousse. It’s pure, simple genius.
I promise you, there is no greater joy than serving a slice of this beautiful, pale green dessert. The texture is simply heavenly—the soft cake cubes melt into the creamy, mousse-like filling, creating a treat that is both substantial and incredibly light. It’s the perfect, refreshing finale to any rich meal.
Get ready to create a stunning, make-ahead dessert that is destined to become a new family favorite for its simplicity and its bright, luscious flavor.
Why These Lime Angel Squares Are Pure Delight!
You are going to be completely charmed by the unique texture and bright flavor of this easy dessert. It’s a guaranteed hit. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Completely No-Bake and Stress-Free: This is the ultimate make-ahead dessert that requires absolutely no oven time. Just mix, assemble, and chill!
- Incredibly Light and Airy Texture: The combination of angel food cake, whipped topping, and a light gelatin mousse creates a dessert that is unbelievably fluffy and light on the palate.
- Bright, Refreshing Citrus Flavor: The zesty combination of lime and lemon provides a perfect, tangy counterpoint to the creamy, sweet filling. It’s a wonderfully refreshing treat.
- Perfect for a Crowd: Made in a 13×9-inch dish, this recipe makes a generous amount, perfect for potlucks, parties, and family gatherings.
- A Beautiful and Nostalgic Dessert: The lovely pale green color and cloud-like appearance make for a beautiful presentation that feels both classic and special.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Chill Time | 2 hours 35 minutes |
| Total Time | 2 hours 50 minutes |
| Servings | 15 servings |
| Calories | 147 kcal per serving |
| Course | Dessert |
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / No-Bake |
Your Shopping List for This Fluffy Dessert
This impressive dessert comes together with a surprisingly short list of simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
[Image 2: The Ingredients Flat Lay]
→ For the Squares
- 1 package (3 ounces) lime gelatin → The key to our lime flavor and light, mousse-like set.
- 1 cup boiling water → For dissolving the gelatin.
- 1 prepared angel food cake (8 inches) → A store-bought cake is the perfect, effortless shortcut for this recipe.
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese → It must be fully softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free filling.
- ½ cup granulated sugar → To sweeten the tangy cream cheese base.
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice & 1-½ teaspoons grated lemon zest → Adds a bright, zesty complexity that complements the lime.
- 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping → Thawed in the refrigerator. This is what makes the filling so light and airy.
- Lime slices → Optional, for a beautiful, fresh garnish.
Let’s Get Assembling! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready for the easiest elegant dessert ever? This comes together in a few quick, satisfying steps.
Part 1: Prepare the Gelatin and Cake Base
- Dissolve the Gelatin: In a small bowl, pour the boiling water over the lime gelatin powder. Whisk until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 35 minutes, or until the mixture has cooled and just begins to thicken to the consistency of egg whites.
- Prepare the Cake: While the gelatin is chilling, grease a 13×9-inch baking dish. Cut the angel food cake into 1-inch cubes and arrange them in a single, even layer in the bottom of the prepared dish.
Part 2: The Fluffy Lime Mousse
- Beat the Cream Cheese Base: In a separate small bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until it is completely smooth and free of lumps. Beat in the sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Combine with Gelatin: Once the gelatin mixture has thickened slightly, add it to the cream cheese mixture. Beat on low speed until everything is just combined.
- Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold in 1-½ cups of the thawed whipped topping with a spatula until no streaks remain.
Part 3: Assemble and Chill
- Cover the Cake: Pour the finished lime mousse evenly over the top of the angel food cake cubes in the dish, using a spatula to spread it to the edges and cover the cake completely.
- Chill Until Firm: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the mousse is completely firm and set.
- Serve: To serve, cut the dessert into squares. Top each square with a dollop of the remaining whipped topping and, if desired, a thin slice of lime for garnish.
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Luscious Squares
These simple secrets will ensure your no-bake dessert is perfectly light, fluffy, and delicious.
- Watch the Gelatin Closely. The goal is to chill the gelatin until it’s the consistency of raw egg whites—cool and slightly thickened, but still liquid. If you let it set too firmly, it won’t incorporate smoothly into the cream cheese.
- Use Softened Cream Cheese. This is non-negotiable for a smooth, creamy mousse. Cold cream cheese will leave you with lumps. Let it sit on the counter for at least an hour to fully soften.
- Fold, Don’t Stir! When incorporating the whipped topping, use a gentle folding motion with a spatula. This keeps the mixture light and airy. Vigorous stirring will deflate all the air you’re trying to preserve.
- Use a Store-Bought Angel Food Cake. This is the ultimate time-saving shortcut for this recipe. You can usually find them in the bakery section of your grocery store. No one will ever know you didn’t bake it yourself!
- Chill Thoroughly. Don’t rush the final chilling time. The dessert needs at least 2 full hours for the gelatin to work its magic and set the mousse into a firm, sliceable dessert.
Luscious Lime Angel Squares
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small bowl, dissolve gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water. Refrigerate for about 35 minutes, or until the mixture just begins to thicken.
- Place the angel food cake cubes in a greased 13×9-in. dish.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Add the thickened gelatin mixture to the cream cheese mixture; beat until just combined.
- Gently fold in 1-1/2 cups of the thawed whipped topping.
- Pour the mousse mixture over the top of the cake cubes, spreading to cover completely.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm.
- Cut into squares and top with the remaining whipped topping. If desired, garnish with lime slices before serving.
Notes
Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Angel Squares
This is a perfect make-ahead dessert, as it needs time to set in the refrigerator.
- Refrigerator: Keep the dessert covered in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. It’s a wonderful, refreshing treat to have on hand!
FAQs: Your Lime Angel Squares Questions, Answered!
Can I use a different flavor of gelatin?
Absolutely! This recipe is a fantastic template for other flavors. Strawberry, raspberry, or orange gelatin would all be delicious and create a beautifully colored dessert. Just match your garnishes to the flavor you choose!
Can I make my own whipped cream instead of using frozen whipped topping?
You can, but you’ll need to stabilize it. Frozen whipped topping (like Cool Whip) has stabilizers that help the mousse set firmly. If you use homemade whipped cream, you’ll want to beat it to very stiff peaks and be aware that the final dessert may be a bit softer.
Why is my dessert not setting up?
This usually happens if the gelatin wasn’t properly dissolved in the boiling water, or if the dessert simply needs more time in the refrigerator. Ensure the gelatin is fully dissolved at the start and give it at least the full 2 hours (or even a little longer) to chill.
Can I make this in a different pan?
Yes, you can also assemble this in a 9-inch square pan for slightly thicker squares, or even layer it in a glass trifle bowl for a different but equally beautiful presentation.
Final Thoughts: A Slice of Sunshine
There is nothing more delightful than a dessert that is both stunningly beautiful and incredibly simple to create. These Luscious Lime Angel Squares are a perfect, refreshing treat that feels special without any of the stress. I hope this light, fluffy, and zesty dessert brings a little sunshine to your table. Happy (no) baking!
