Description
These Easy Key Lime Pie Bars offer a bright, tangy twist on classic key lime pie, with a buttery graham cracker crust and a smooth, creamy lime filling. Perfectly chilled and garnished with fresh lime zest, they make a refreshing and crowd-pleasing dessert that’s simple to prepare and bake.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (key lime or regular)
- 2 large eggs
For Garnish
- Lime zest
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature before baking the bars.
- Prepare the Crust Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the texture resembles wet sand, ensuring the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Form the Crust: Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking dish, creating an even layer that will serve as the crust for the pie bars.
- Mix the Filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, fresh lime juice, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and fully combined, forming the key lime filling.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the lime filling evenly over the prepared crust and smooth the surface with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the center is just set and no longer jiggly.
- Cool and Chill: Remove from the oven and let the bars cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow them to fully set and develop their flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle lime zest over the top for a fresh citrus aroma, slice into 12 bars, and enjoy chilled.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh key lime juice if available, but regular lime juice also works well.
- If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can add extra sugar to the filling mixture, but the sweetened condensed milk usually provides sufficient sweetness.
- Ensure the bars are fully chilled before slicing to prevent cracking or crumbling.
- Store the bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for optimal freshness.
- For a vegan version, substitute condensed milk with a plant-based sweetened condensed milk alternative and use egg replacer.
