Description
Zesty key lime pie bars bring sunshine from Florida’s groves to your dessert table. Creamy filling nestled in buttery graham cracker crust offers refreshing citrus comfort you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 14-ounce (396 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) fresh key lime juice
- 1 tablespoon key lime zest
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup (67 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
Topping Ingredients:
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter, mixing until the texture resembles wet sand, then firmly press the mixture into the prepared pan to create an even, compact crust.
- Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn golden brown, then remove and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks until well blended, creating a smooth base for the filling.
- Incorporate key lime juice and zest into the milk mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute the citrusy flavors evenly throughout the filling.
- Gently pour the key lime filling over the cooled crust, ensuring an uniform layer that covers the entire surface of the crust.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, watching carefully until the filling is just set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely at room temperature, which helps the filling stabilize and set properly.
- Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 2 hours to allow the bars to firm up and develop a clean, crisp texture.
- Once chilled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and slice into neat squares.
- Optional: Garnish with a delicate dollop of whipped cream just before serving to add a light, creamy finish.
Notes
- Achieve a perfectly crisp crust by pressing graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the pan, ensuring no loose crumbs remain.
- Maximize key lime flavor by using fresh key lime juice and zest, which provides a more vibrant and authentic tangy taste compared to bottled juice.
- Prevent cracking in the filling by avoiding overbaking; remove from oven when the center is just slightly jiggly, as it will continue setting while cooling.
- Transform this dessert into a gluten-free option by substituting graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg