Key Lime Pie Bars
Key Lime Pie Bars: A Zesty Slice of Sunshine
Imagine the tangy, refreshing flavor of key lime pie, but in a convenient, handheld bar form. That’s exactly what you get with these Key Lime Pie Bars. They’re a delightful twist on a classic dessert, offering a burst of citrusy goodness with every bite.
These bars boast a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy, smooth key lime filling, and a light, airy whipped cream topping. The combination of textures and flavors is simply irresistible. The bright, zesty lime cuts through the richness of the filling, while the sweet whipped cream balances the tartness perfectly. Whether you’re serving them at a summer picnic, a casual gathering, or simply enjoying them as a sweet treat on a sunny afternoon, these Key Lime Pie Bars are guaranteed to be a hit. They’re a slice of sunshine in every square, bringing a taste of the tropics to your dessert table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 miniutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 cups crushed graham crackers (about 2 sleeves/packages)
- 6 Tbsp melted butter
- 1/4 c brown sugar
Filling:
- 3 egg yolks
- 4 oz softened cream cheese
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup lime juice (key limes are best!)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp lime zest
Topping:
- 4 oz softened cream cheese
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Crust:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper (leave extra length on the sides for easy removal from pan).
- In a small bowl add crushed graham crackers, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and melted butter.
- Stir until combined.
- Press graham cracker crust firmly into the baking dish until flattened.
- Bake for 10 minutes until just starting to brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool.
Filling:
- While the crust cools start the filling.
- In a large mixing bowl add egg yolks, lime juice and lime zest.
- Stir to combine.
- Add cream cheese and mix until smooth.
- Add in sweetened condensed milk and salt and mix until fully combined and smooth.
- Pour filling over the graham cracker crust and place in oven.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes until filling starts to set.
- Remove from oven and cool at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Place pan in the fridge and cool an additional 2-3 hours until filling is set and no longer jiggly.
Topping:
- In a large mixing bowl add softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla.
- Mix until smooth.
- Add in the heavy cream and mix until the texture becomes whipped and stiffer.
- Using a spatula spread the topping over the cooled bars evenly.
- Sprinkle the lime zest over the top of the bars evenly.
- Store bars in the fridge until you are ready to serve them. Enjoy!
Keywords: Dessert, Bars, Lime, Key Lime, Key Lime Pie
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