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The Ultimate Recipe for Key Lime Pie Bars

Key Lime Pie Bars
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Creamy, tangy key lime filling on a buttery graham cracker crust, topped with whipped cream and lime zest. These refreshing bars offer all the flavor of classic key lime pie in convenient handheld form.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Crust:
  • 1 1/2 cups (150g) graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/3 cup (65g) granulated sugar
  • 6 tbsp (85g) unsalted butter, melted
  • For the Filling:
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 14 oz (396g) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) key lime juice (about 20–25 key limes)
  • 2 tsp key lime zest
  • For Topping (optional):
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • Additional lime zest for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare crust: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix graham crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press firmly into 8×8″ pan lined with parchment. Bake 10 minutes.
  2. Make filling: Whisk egg yolks until pale. Add condensed milk, lime juice and zest. Mix until smooth and slightly thickened.
  3. Bake: Pour filling over warm crust. Bake 15-18 minutes until set (center should jiggle slightly). Cool completely.
  4. Chill: Refrigerate at least 4 hours (preferably overnight).
  5. Add topping: Whip cream with powdered sugar to stiff peaks. Spread over chilled bars or pipe decoratively.
  6. Serve: Garnish with lime zest. Cut into squares with hot knife (wiped clean between cuts).

Notes

  • Key limes: Bottled juice works (Nellie’s recommended), but fresh is best
  • Make ahead: Bars keep 5 days refrigerated (add topping day of serving)
  • Freezing: Undecorated bars freeze well for 2 months
  • Pan size: Can use 9×9″ for thinner bars (reduce bake time 2-3 minutes)
  • No topping? Dust with powdered sugar instead

Nutrition

Find it online: https://us.recipesfood.org/key-lime-pie-bars-key-lime-pie/

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