Easy Key Lime Bars with a Buttery Graham Cracker Crust
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Key Lime Bars are a sweet, tangy, and creamy version of classic key lime pie that will have you dreaming of warm weather and tropical vacations. These dessert bars are easy to make, with simple ingredients, and perfect for any occasion.
If you enjoy this dessert, be sure to check out other sweet treats like Lemon Bars, Raspberry Lemonade Bars, Pina Colada Dessert Bars, Key Lime Cake, and Apple Pie Bars.
Table of Contents
What We Love About Key Lime Bars
- Bright & Tangy Flavor – The perfect balance of sweet and tart in every bite.
- Buttery Graham Cracker Crust – The crunchy graham cracker crust provides the perfect texture to complement the creamy filling.
- Easy – The bars are easy to make and perfect for any occasion, from a family gathering to a summer picnic. The ingredients are also easy to find at your local grocery store.
Chef’s Tip
Key limes are easy to spot thanks to their small size! It takes about 20-25 key limes to get ½ cup of juice.
Ingredient Notes:
Simple ingredients come together to make a zesty, creamy filling on top of a buttery graham cracker crust—pure key lime bliss!
For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Graham cracker crumbs -Crush until they are a fine, sandy texture.
- Pecans -This nut adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the pie crust.
- Brown Sugar – Used in the crust to add sweetness and help bind it together.
- Unsalted butter – melted.
- Egg yolks – Used to thicken and set the filling of the pie.
- Sweetened condensed milk – This is a thick, sweet milk that adds creaminess and sweetness to the filling.
- Lime zest – The outermost layer of the lime peel, which contains aromatic oils that add flavor and fragrance to the filling, is best prepared using a grater or microplane.
- Key lime juice (squeezed from fresh key limes) – Tart and flavorful juice extracted from small, round limes that grow in the Florida Keys, it provides the signature flavor of the pie. If you can’t squeeze it fresh, buy bottled key lime juice. *See Tip Below
- Optional garnish – Whipped cream, lime zest, lime wedges or slices
Kitchen Tip
A garlic press is a handy trick for squeezing key limes! Its small size and design allow for efficient extraction of juice from the tiny fruit, which can be difficult to juice with traditional citrus juicers due to their larger size. Just slice the limes in half, place one half cut-side down in the press, and squeeze firmly. The press will extract the juice while catching most of the seeds. Finish off by pouring the juice through a fine sieve to remove any pulp or seeds.
Easy Directions For Key Lime Bars
Enjoy a buttery graham cracker crust topped with a smooth, tangy key lime filling in every bite!
When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Pulse graham crackers and pecans into fine crumbs, then mix with brown sugar and melted butter. Press into a baking pan and bake.
- Whisk egg yolks until thick, then stir in condensed milk, lime zest, and juice. Pour over the crust and bake until set.
- Cool briefly, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Slice and serve with your favorite garnishes!
Recipe FAQs
Key limes pack a punch with their bold, tangy flavor and a hint of citrusy sweetness, while regular limes are just more tart. For that classic key lime taste, the real deal is the way to go!
Refrigerator: Store leftover bars for up to 3 days in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Freezer: Keep the bars in freezer bags or a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.
Tips for the Best Key Lime Bars
- Use fresh key lime juice for the best flavor.
- Make sure the crust is well-packed to prevent crumbling.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to prevent the filling from oozing out.
Recipe Variations
- Use a different type of citrus juice such as lemon or blood orange for a twist on the classic recipe.
- Add a tablespoon of tequila to the filling for a margarita-inspired treat.
- Add a layer of whipped cream or meringue on top of the filling for a more decadent dessert.
- Dust the top with powdered sugar or fresh lime zest.
These key lime bars are proof that dessert doesn’t have to be complicated to be amazing. Make them once, and don’t be surprised if they become a regular request!
Key Lime Bars
Sweet, tangy, and totally addictive! These key lime bars are the perfect refreshing dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham crackers (about 11 crackers)
- ¼ cup pecans
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- ½ cup key lime juice, fresh squeezed from key limes (20-25 key limes)
Optional garnish
- Whipped cream
- Lime zest
- Lime wedges or slices
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line an 8x8-inch square pan with foil or parchment paper if desired.
- Break the graham crackers into large pieces and place in a food processor along with the pecans. Process until you have fine crumbs. Alternatively, you can place the crackers and pecans in a zip lock bag and use a rolling pin to gently pound and roll them into crumbs.
- Place the crumb mixture in a bowl with the brown sugar. Pour the melted butter in and combine until the crumbs are well moistened.
- Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, making sure it is even and firmly packed.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- In a medium bowl, beat the egg yolks with an electric mixer on medium-high until they are lighter in color and thick, 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the sweetened condensed milk until combined. Add the zest and the juice and beat again until thoroughly mixed.
- Pour the filling over the cooled crust and bake for 15 minutes, until it's just set.
- Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator for 3 hours, or overnight.
- Cut into squares, and serve with whipped cream and lime zest or lime slices if desired.
Notes
STORAGE:
Store leftover bars in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap or foil for up to 3 days in the fridge, or freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 1 month.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 237Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 76mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 3g
Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Hi there, I'm Cheryl!
As a wife, mom, and caffeine enthusiast, my journey has taken me from bustling mornings with my family to sharing delicious recipes, home care tips, and heartfelt decorating insights with wonderful readers like you. My love for baking, photography, and tidiness shines through every post I craft. Dive into my world and discover the art of homemaking, one tidy moment at a time. Read more...
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