Key Lime Pie Bars
User Reviews
5
Key Lime Pie Bars
Description
The Key Lime Pie Bars begin with a crust formed from finely processed graham crackers mixed with brown sugar, salt, and melted salted butter, pressed evenly into a pan and baked until golden. The filling mixes softened cream cheese, freshly grated lime zest, salt, sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, and freshly squeezed key lime juice until smooth and uniformly combined.
Once poured over the crust, the filling bakes until set and the edges start to pull from the pan. The bars develop a balanced tangy and sweet flavor from the combination of key lime and sweetened condensed milk, with a creamy texture anchored by the cream cheese. The crust provides a crisp contrast.
After cooling, these bars are dusted with powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness. They can be chilled overnight to firm up, and slicing is easiest with a sharp knife cleaned between cuts to ensure neat squares. Key lime pie bars are a refreshing dessert suitable for warmer weather or whenever a citrus-flavored treat is desired.
Animal crackers can be substituted for graham crackers in the crust. Lukewarm cream cheese helps achieve a lump-free filling by mixing smoothly. Leftover egg whites can be used separately. When fresh key limes are unavailable, regular limes serve as an alternative.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 10 oz graham crackers
- 6 TB brown sugar packed
- 8 TB butter melted, and slightly cooled, salted
For the Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese lukewarm*
- 2 TB lime zest freshly grated
- 1 cup lime juice freshly squeezed, from 6-8 key limes*
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 28 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 2 large egg yolk
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F, with rack on middle position. Press a long sheet of heavy-duty foil into the corners and up sides of 13x9 pan, with enough foil hanging over edges of pan, for super easy removal later. Grease foil.
- Pulse crackers in food processor until evenly fine. Add brown sugar and salt and process to combine. Drizzle butter over crumbs and pulse until crumbs are moistened with butter evenly. Press crumbs firmly and evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake until golden brown, 18-20 minutes. Cool while making the filling. Leave oven on.
- In medium bowl, stir cream cheese, zest, and salt with a rubber spatula until soft and creamy and fully incorporated. Add sweetened condensed milk and whisk vigorously until combined and no lumps of cream cheese remain. Whisk in egg yolk. Add lime juice and gently whisk until fully combined. Mixture will thicken slightly.
- Pour filing into crust. Spread to corners and smooth the surface. Bake until set and edges begin to pull slightly away from sides, 23-25 minutes. Center will still be a bit jiggly. Cool on wire rack to room temp. Cover with foil and refrigerate until fully chilled. Remove bars from pan using foil. Cut into squares and sprinkle with powdered sugar right before serving. Keeps for several days in fridge.
Notes
- Microwave cream cheese in short intervals until lukewarm to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling.
- Chill the dessert overnight for easier slicing and firmer texture.
- Use a sharp knife wiped clean between slices for neat bars.
- Substitute animal crackers for graham crackers if preferred.
- Leftover egg whites can be reused in egg scrambles or mixed with whole eggs for cooking.
- Use regular limes if key limes are unavailable, although key limes provide a distinctive flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 20servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 270 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 270kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 50mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 200mg | 8% |
| Potassium | 203mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 29g | 58% |
| Vitamin A | 353IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 138mg | 14% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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