Key Lime Pie Bars

These bars 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.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Dessert

Keyword Easy Summer Desserts, Easy Pie Recipes, Lime Bars

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 32

Chill Time 12

Servings bars

Calories 384kcal

Author Stephanie Simmons

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℉. 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 for at least 4 hours (or up to 48 hours) 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 medium high until stiff peaks form. Don't over mix.
Tip: Use a kitchen towel to cover the bowl & mixer to contain splatters while mixing.
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

Nuts: You can leave out the nuts if needed.

Gf - Use gluten-free graham crackers to make the whole recipe GF!

Nutrition