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Best Key Lime Pie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 122 reviews

These BEST Key Lime Pie Bars are a delightful, tangy dessert with a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy key lime filling, and a light whipped cream topping. With just 9 simple ingredients and under 30 minutes of active prep and cook time, they deliver the refreshing flavor of key lime in an easy-to-make bar form perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust:

  • 230g graham crackers (~16 full sheets)
  • ½ cup melted butter (113g)

Key Lime Filling:

  • 2 cans sweetened condensed milk (28oz total)
  • ¾ cup key lime juice (180g)
  • 1 tbsp key lime zest (from 2–3 limes)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup sour cream or yogurt (160g)
  • 2 egg yolks

Topping:

  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream, chilled (360g)
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) using a conventional setting. Line a 9×9-inch square baking pan with two sheets of parchment paper placed perpendicularly, ensuring the paper extends above the pan edges for easy removal of the bars later.
  2. Make the Crust: Using a food processor, grind the graham crackers into fine crumbs. In a bowl, combine the crumbs with melted butter, mixing thoroughly. Press this mixture tightly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using the back of a spoon or measuring cup.
  3. Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes until slightly golden. Lower the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) once done.
  4. Prepare Filling Ingredients: While the crust bakes, zest and juice the key limes carefully, measuring out the required amounts.
  5. Mix Filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk together key lime zest, key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and sour cream or yogurt until fully combined. Start with half a cup of lime juice and 1½ cans of condensed milk, adjust to taste if desired.
  6. Add Egg Yolks: Add the two egg yolks to the filling mixture and whisk thoroughly to blend everything together smoothly.
  7. Assemble and Bake Filling: Pour the filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading evenly. Tap and shake the pan gently on the counter to release any air bubbles. Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 17-18 minutes, until the edges appear set but the center jiggles slightly when shaken.
  8. Chill the Bars: Remove the bars from the oven and refrigerate them thoroughly, preferably overnight, or at least for 4 hours to allow the filling to set completely.
  9. Prepare Whipped Cream Topping: Whisk the chilled heavy cream with granulated sugar until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip to avoid curdling.
  10. Top and Serve: Spread the whipped cream evenly over the chilled key lime filling. Carefully lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper edges and place them on a serving board. Cut into squares using a sharp knife and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious Key Lime Pie Bars!

Notes

  • Use parchment paper extending beyond the pan edges to easily lift the bars out for cutting and serving.
  • Adjust the key lime juice and sweetened condensed milk quantities slightly to balance tartness and sweetness according to your taste.
  • Chilling the bars sufficiently is important for the filling to fully set and achieve the perfect texture.
  • Do not overwhip the cream to avoid turning it into butter.
  • For a twist, you can substitute yogurt for sour cream to alter the tanginess.

Keywords: Key Lime Pie Bars, Key Lime Dessert, Graham Cracker Crust, No-Bake Filling Bars, Summer Dessert, Easy Key Lime Bars

Find it online: https://reemcook.com/best-key-lime-pie-bars-recipe/