A refreshing, creamy, tropical dessert with zero baking required!
When the temperature climbs and turning on the oven is out of the question, this Mango Carlota steps in as your go-to summer treat. Inspired by the classic Latin American Carlota de Limón, this version trades citrus for ripe, juicy mangoes—making it tropical, luscious, and ridiculously easy to prepare.
With layers of lightly sweet cookies and creamy mango filling, this icebox cake chills in the fridge until perfectly set. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, brunch, or simply craving a cool dessert, this no-bake wonder will win everyone over.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maria cookies | 2 packages (about 50–60) | Can substitute with graham crackers |
| Sweetened condensed milk | 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) | For richness and sweetness |
| Evaporated milk | 1 can (12 oz / 354 ml) | Helps the cream set and adds depth |
| Cream cheese | 1 package (8 oz / 226 g) | Use full-fat, softened for easy blending |
| Ripe mangoes | 4 large | 1 for blending, 3 for decoration & layering |
| Optional: lemon zest | ½ tsp | For added brightness (highly recommended!) |
Directions
1. Prepare the Mango Cream Filling
In a blender, combine:
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The cream cheese
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The sweetened condensed milk
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The evaporated milk
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1 peeled, chopped mango
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Optional: lemon zest
Blend until silky smooth and thick. Set aside. This is your luscious mango cream.
✅ Pro tip: If you prefer a stronger mango flavor, blend in a second mango or add a few drops of mango extract.
2. Assemble the Carlota
In a square or rectangular glass dish (8×8 or 9×9 works great):
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Start with a layer of Maria cookies (you can break them to fit the corners).
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Spoon and spread a layer of mango cream over the cookies.
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Repeat the layers: cookies → mango cream → cookies → mango cream, until the dish is full.
Finish with a final layer of mango cream on top.
3. Decorate
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Dice the remaining 3 mangoes into small cubes.
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Scatter them generously over the top layer of cream.
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For extra flair, add a sprinkle of lime or lemon zest, or even a few mint leaves.
4. Chill
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours—but overnight is best. The cookies will soften and absorb all that delicious mango cream.
5. Serve
Slice into chilled squares and serve straight from the fridge. The result is cool, creamy, fruity heaven in every bite!
⏱️ Time & Servings
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Prep time: 20 minutes
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Chill time: Minimum 6 hours (overnight preferred)
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Total time: ~6½ hours
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Serves: 8–10 generous portions
Tips & Variations
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No Maria cookies? Use graham crackers, digestive biscuits, or vanilla wafers.
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Want a twist? Try swapping mango for peach, pineapple, or banana puree.
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Lighter version? Top with whipped cream before decorating.
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Extra mango flavor? Blend in more mango or add a splash of mango nectar.
Storage
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Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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Not freezer-friendly — freezing may alter the texture of the cream and cookies.
Quick Recap: Mango Carlota at a Glance
Ingredients:
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2 packs Maria cookies
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1 can sweetened condensed milk
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1 can evaporated milk
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8 oz cream cheese
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4 ripe mangoes
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Optional: lemon zest
Steps:
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Blend cream ingredients + 1 mango
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Layer cookies and cream in dish
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Top with diced mango
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Chill for 6+ hours
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Slice and serve cold
Perfectly creamy. Incredibly easy. Tropical and refreshing.
This Mango Carlota is proof that a dessert doesn’t need to be baked to steal the show!
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