Key Lime Pie Bars are an absolute breeze to make! They have a delicious, creamy filling flavored with zippy lime juice and zest, and a crust made with graham cracker crumbs and macadamia nuts. Top these creamy delights with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a sprinkle of lime zest. It’s a refreshing treat that everyone is sure to love!
If you’ve never had something like this before, you’re in for a treat! Key Lime Pie – or in this case – Key Lime Pie Bars, are delicious, creamy, and full of a refreshing zippy lime flavor. The texture is almost like a cheesecake – but a little lighter.
And these bars are easier to make than a full pie or a cheesecake! Let’s dive in – first crush your graham crackers and macadamia nuts in a food processor. Mix that with melted butter and just a hint of sugar to make your crust!
While that bakes for about 10 minutes, mix up your filling. We’re using cream cheese, egg yolks, a can of sweetened condensed milk, plenty of fresh lime juice and lime zest, and a splash of vanilla. Minimal ingredients, and minimal effort!
Pour this mixture over your crust, and pop it back into the oven to bake until the bars seem just set. Let the bars cool completely at room temperature, then chill them in the fridge overnight before slicing and serving.
Let’s talk about whipped cream! It’s an absolute must when having key lime pie. All you need to make it is heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Mix everything together on high speed until stiff peaks form. Make this once you’re ready to serve the bars – it’s definitely NOT a make-ahead type of thing.
Dollop the fresh whipped cream on top of the key lime bars, and add a sprinkle of lime zest for garnish. And, that’s it! One of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make. It’s perfect for SO many occasions too!
Occasions to Make Key Lime Pie Bars for:
- Mother’s Day or Father’s Day – This is a fun and fancy-looking dessert that you can make ahead of time!
- 4th of July, Memorial Day, & Labor Day – A chilled dessert is always perfect for any of these holidays, and the key lime flavor just screams summer!
- Potlucks & Backyard Barbecues – These bars are a hit with everyone who’s tasted them, and they’d be the perfect addition to any backyard summer gathering.
- Thanksgiving – Yes, these would even fit in at Thanksgiving! They’re technically pie, just in bar form. It’s a fun way to switch up your normal pie flavors, or you could bring it to friendsgiving, which is typically less traditional.
- Easter – The bright flavor of these bars makes them perfect for a springtime Easter treat, too!
So to sum up, these bars are incredibly delicious AND incredibly versatile I can’t wait to see what occasions bring this delicious treat to your table.
I hope you enjoy these Key Lime Pie Bars as much as we do! Happy baking, and happy summer.
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Key Lime Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup macadamia nuts
- 6 tbsp salted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
For the Key Lime Filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 4 large egg yolks, at room temperature
- One 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tbsp lime zest
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Whipped Cream
- 1/2 cup cold heavy cream
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- extra lime zest and/or slices for garnish
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x9 inch baking pan with nonstick spray and/or line with parchment paper.
- Make and Par-Bake the Crust: Pulse the macadamia nuts in your food processor until finely chopped (or chop them by hand). Stir all the crust ingredients together in a medium bowl. Press evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake the crust for 9 minutes. Work on the filling while the crust bakes.
- Make the Filling: Beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on high speed, until creamy. Add the egg yolks and mix until just combined. Add the can of sweetened condensed milk, lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla and mix until everything is just combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Pour over the par baked crust.
- Bake: Bake the bars for 22-24 minutes. The bars will appear just set, and there will be a bit of thick batter on a knife or toothpick inserted into the center of the bars. There will be just the tiniest hint of browning around the edges of the bars. Let the bars cool completely at room temp, then cover and chill in the fridge overnight (or up to 2 days) before serving.
- Make the Whipped Cream: Make the whipped cream once you're ready to serve the bars. Add all whipped cream ingredients, making sure the heavy cream is cold, to a large bowl. Beat on high until stiff peaks form. Don't overmix. Use a kitchen towel to cover the bowl and the mixer to contain splatters.
- Serve + Store: Slice the bars and dollop whipped cream on top of each. Sprinkle with a little lime zest, and enjoy! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
- Notes: You can leave out the nuts if needed. Use gluten-free graham crackers to make the whole recipe GF!
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Mary says
I never really cared for key lime until I tried this and some of your other key lime recipes. Now I’m hooked!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks so much! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed these.
Becca says
I made these recently and they turned out so well! I added a bit more lime zest just because I like things super citrusy, but otherwise followed the recipe exactly. I will definitely make them again!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks, Becca! So glad you liked these key lime pie bars. Happy baking 🙂