These sweet, zesty, and creamy Key Lime Bars deserve their moment in the limelight!
Have a sweet craving you just can’t kick? Well, I’ve got the key! Pun intended. These key lime bars have been the star of my household for the last few weeks. My boyfriend cannot stop requesting them, my roommate cannot stop sneaking them, and honestly, it’s all good. Because I cannot stop making them! They’re super simple, and as far as desserts go, they come with a fraction of the guilty calories.
It all started when I found out that my boyfriend’s favorite dessert is key lime pie. He grew up with a professional baker for a mother, so his standards are pretty high when it comes to sweets. You’ll rarely find him indulging in a pint of ice cream, a late-night cookie, or even waffles at breakfast. He says it’s hard to do sugar right, so he would rather not do it at all.
I, on the other hand, have a major sweet tooth! I hate feeling alone in my guilty pleasures, and I want him to enjoy a treat now and then, too. So when I heard that he loves key lime pie, I remembered a recipe my mom and I used to make often, and thought I’d take a shot at impressing my sweet boyfriend.
And it worked! He loved these key lime bars so much, I’ve made them three times since my initial endeavor. Maybe it’s because they’re subtly sweet with zesty, refreshing notes of citrus. Maybe it’s the perfectly crumbly graham cracker crust, layered with rich and fluffy filling. Or maybe it’s that you can feel fully satisfied with just one square! Whatever it is, these key lime bars have been a hit in my household, and you should try them, too.
Are Key Lime Bars Healthy?
No, not really. This recipe is full of eggs, sugar, and butter – classic calorie-dense baking ingredients that are not considered particularly healthy. They are a delicious dessert, so these key lime bars are best enjoyed for a special occasion.
What Is A Key Lime?
The key to any good key lime pie variation is – you guessed it – key limes! Many people graze over this detail and try to make their key lime bars with regular limes, which are much too tart for most recipes. Key limes are smaller and rounder than your standard lime, and taste sweeter, making them perfect for baking. Key limes are also known for their aromatic quality, which bakes into the filling of these bars quite nicely. So, make sure you’re using the correct citrus before your baking session goes sour!
How to make ahead and store
You can and should make your key lime bars ahead of time, because they need hours to rest and chill. Bake your bars, then allow them to cool completely, before letting them chill in the fridge. These bars should stay refrigerated and be enjoyed cold. Keep them covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them (without whipped cream or any other garnish) for a few months, just defrost before eating.
Serving Suggestions
These key lime bars are a great “in moderation” dessert. Just one bar will be the perfect fix for your sweet tooth, but nobody will blame you for having two! Enjoy them after a healthy dinner, like Cashew Chicken, Miso Steak, or Salmon and Asparagus. Key lime bars are also great for get-togethers, like barbecues with Lamb Kabobs, or dinner parties with Rotisserie Chicken Casserole. Bring these key lime bars as your potluck contribution, or wow your own dinner guests!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup key lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 large egg yolks
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- Whipped cream for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter in a bowl.
- Press the mixture into a parchment-lined 8-inch square baking pan and bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, vanilla extract, cream cheese, egg yolks, salt, and lime zest until smooth.
- Pour the filling over the baked crust and return to oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350°F until the bars are mostly set with the center just barely jiggly.
- Allow the bars to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before cutting into squares.
- Decorate the bars with whipped cream if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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