Easy Key Lime Bars

Key lime bars are delicious and incredibly easy to make! You only need 8 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep. This recipe is ideal if you are a beginner. With an easy step-by-step guide, you will love how simple and effortless they are to make, and I am sure it will become one of your favorite recipes. By the way, have you tried my lemon bars?

Why this recipe works

1. You only need 8 ingredients, and you probably have them around your home already.
2. All you need is 10 minutes of prep time.
3. They are perfect for all events like dinner parties and barbecues and please a crowd.

Photo tutorial

In a large mixing bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt just until combined.

Transfer to a paper-lined baking pan and press the crumbs with the back of a measuring cup into the bottom of the pan evenly. Then bake for about 10 minutes and remove from the oven.

While the crust is baking, mix condensed milk and eggs until combined.

Add lime juice and zest and stir to combine.

Pour the filling on top of the prebaked crust.

Bake for about 15 minutes until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature then transfer them to the fridge and chill at least 3 hours. 

Top tips for success

• The easiest way to get graham crackers crumbs is by processing the crackers in a food processor. Alternatively, you can place them in a zip-top bag and smash them with a rolling pin.
• Take special care not to overbeat the eggs and milk mixture. It would incorporate a lot of air bubbles.
• After baking, they need to set up. Make sure you let them chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving.

Key lime substitute

If for some reason you do not have access to fresh key limes to make juice, or you can't find any key limes at the market you can make a substitution. You would need to use 2 parts lime juice and 1 part lemon juice. So, you would need to use ½ cup (118ml) lime juice and ¼ cup (59ml) lemon juice.

Storing

They need to be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. You can use a glass or plastic container, but I prefer glass because it's easier to clean up and doesn't hold onto food odors. They will last 2-3 days in the fridge.

If you notice that they have become dried out, overly wet, or mold then they have gone bad and aren't edible any longer.

Freezing

After they are completely cooled and chilled for 3 hours, wrap single bars in plastic wrap or transfer to freezer bags. They freeze well for up to 1 month. To thaw, place them in the fridge overnight.

More bar recipes to try

• Apple Pecan Bars
• Pecan Pie Shortbread Bars
• Cheesecake Bars
• S'mores Cookie Bars

Recipe

Easy Key Lime Bars

5 from 4 votes

Author Sabine Venier

Calories: 192kcal

Servings: 16 bars

Prep 10 minutes

Cook 25 minutes

Chill Time 3 hours

Total 3 hours 35 minutes

Print Pin Rate

Key lime bars are delicious and incredibly easy to make! You only need 8 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep. This recipe is ideal if you are a beginner. 

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

For the crust:

• ▢ 7 oz graham cracker crumbs
• ▢ 6 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• ▢ ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt

For the filling:

• ▢ 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• ▢ 4 large egg yolks
• ▢ ¾ cup fresh key lime juice
• ▢ 1 tablespoon key lime zest

OPTIONAL: top with meringue or whipped cream

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10x7 or 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper with enough overhang on the sides. Set aside.
• Make the crust: In a large mixing bowl stir together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt just until combined. Transfer to the prepared baking pan and press the crumbs with the back of a measuring cup into the bottom of the pan evenly. Bake for about 10 minutes. Remove from oven.
• Make the filling: While the crust is baking, mix condensed milk and eggs until combined. Add lime juice and zest and stir to combine. Pour on top of the prebaked crust. Bake for about 15 minutes until filling is set. Let cool to room temperature then transfer to the fridge and chill at least 3 hours. 
• Top with meringue or whipped cream before serving. Store leftovers up to 3 days in the fridge or freeze for up to 1 month.

Notes

Key lime juice

If for some reason you do not have access to fresh key limes to make juice, or you can't find any key limes at the market you can make a substitution. You would need to use 2 parts lime juice and 1 part lemon juice. For this recipe, you would need to use ½ cup (118ml) lime juice and ¼ cup (59ml) lemon juice. 

Video

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Nutrition

Calories: 192kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 178mgPotassium: 133mgSugar: 19gVitamin A: 270IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 0.6mg

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword key lime bars, key lime bars recipe

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