5 from 76 votes
Key Lime Pie Bars
Key Lime Pie Bars consist of a graham cracker crust topped with a creamy lime-flavored filling made from cream cheese, fresh lime zest and juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolk. These bars combine a crisp, buttery base with a tangy, smooth filling that sets firmly when baked.
Prep Time
35 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Servings:
20
servings
Calories:
270 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
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.
Cup of Yum
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
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%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 20 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 270
% 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.