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These Key Lime Bars are a citrus lover’s dream! They capture the tangy sweetness of a classic key lime pie in gooey cookie bar form, complete with an authentic key lime flavor in every bite. If you’re a fan of bright, zesty desserts, these bars are a must-try!
Easy Key Lime Pie Bars Recipe
If you want a citrus treat that’s not overly sweet, I highly recommend these key lime bars. They are made with only 7 ingredients keeping it super simple, too. My kids love these even more than key lime pie. They are soft and chewy and baked to perfection. I have made them to enjoy at home and for potlucks and bake sales. Everyone always asks for the recipe!
Why You’ll Love These Key Lime Bars
- Budget-friendly. The ingredients used are super cheap and great for even a tight budget. Items like flour, sugar, and eggs are always affordable and you may have some in your pantry right now. I also find limes to be some of the most inexpensive citrus fruits.
- Great anytime. Enjoy these bars during the summer or any day you want. This is a great dessert to enjoy any time. It’s easy to make ahead and freeze too so you can enjoy one of these citrus desserts even when key limes are harder to find at the grocery store.
- Summer staple. The bright key lime flavor is perfect for summertime. It’s also when key limes are typically in season as well, making them way easier to find for this recipe. Try this recipe for your next cookout to impress your guests.
Ingredients Needed
Below is everything you’ll need to make these delicious key lime pie bars. For more info and exact measurements, take a look at the recipe card below.
- Flour: I like all-purpose flour for this recipe. You may use a gluten-free blend if you prefer.
- Sugar: For this recipe, I add powdered sugar to the crust and on top as a garnish. The white sugar is in the key lime filling.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter for these bars. If you only have salted, omit the extra salt. Leave the butter out at room temperature to soften to get the perfect texture in the crust.
- Salt: I add a little salt to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Eggs: The eggs add structure, texture, and flavor to the bars.
- Lime: I use a combination of key lime zest and juice for plenty of flavor. I also like to use key lime slices as a garnish.
- Baking powder: This helps the filling become light and airy as it bakes.
How To Make Key Lime Bars
These are the steps needed to make this lime dessert successfully. It’s super easy to follow even if you don’t bake often.
- Prep the oven and baking dish. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Then, spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Start the crust. Combine 2 cups of flour, ½ cup of powdered sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until the ingredients are well mixed.
- Add butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour mixture. It should resemble coarse crumbs.
- Add to the pan and bake. Pour the crust mixture into the prepared baking dish and press it down evenly. Bake the crust for 10 minutes.
- Make the filling. Whisk eggs, lime juice/zest, remaining flour, sugar, and baking powder in a separate bowl until well incorporated.
- Bake. Pour the filling into the baked crust, smooth into an even layer and put it back in the oven for an additional 25 minutes.
- Cool. Allow the bars a few minutes to cool once they are set.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top, slice, and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Try a graham cracker crust. Make this recipe using crushed graham crackers and melted butter for the crust for a different flavor and texture. I love a good buttery crust with a key lime pie but I also enjoy the sweetness of graham crackers with the fresh lime flavor.
- Use regular lime juice. Key limes are sometimes hard to come by if they aren’t in season. Feel free to use regular limes instead. It will alter the flavor slightly but they will still be bright and delicious.
- Don’t slice too early. Allow the bars plenty of time to cool before you slice them so they aren’t too gooey. This will give you cleaner slices. The middle won’t be fully set when you pull them out of the oven so they need a little bit of time before you serve. Feel free to stick them into the refrigerator to speed up the process if you wish.
Proper Storage
Store leftover key lime bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Tightly wrap the baking dish or place the squares into freezer-safe bags and freeze them for up to 3 months.
More Key Lime Recipes to Try
- Key Lime Pie Cookies
- Instant Pot Key Lime Cheesecake
- Key Lime Cupcakes
- Key Lime Pie Fudge
- Key Lime Pie
Key Lime Bars
These easy Key Lime Bars are so delicious with the perfect amount of tart and sweet. The ideal dessert for barbecues, picnics, and summer parties!
Servings: 12 bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powder sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Key Lime Filling
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon Key Lime zest
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/3 cup Key lime juice
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spay a 9×11 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup powder sugar and salt.
- Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in the butter until the crust mixture looks like crumbs. Pour the mixture into the pan and pat evenly into the dish.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes. While the crust is baking make the filling.
- In another large bowl, whisk together the eggs, lime juice, 1/4 cup flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons key lime zest and baking powder. Whisk until fully incorporated.
- Pour mixture onto the crust and bake for 25 minutes or until set.
- Once the bars are cooled sprinkle with powder sugar and cut into squares.
- Top with key lime slices (optional) and enjoy!
Last Step:
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Nutrition
Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 550IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1.4mg
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2 comments on “Key Lime Bars”
This was my 1st time making anything key lime OR eating anything key lime., next time I best not wait so long.,these are THE BOMB!!! Thank You sooooo much !!! Perfect!!
So glad you loved them Teresa!