Description
Bright and creamy key lime bars with a buttery shortbread crust and smooth citrus filling, perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 150 grams all purpose flour
- 60 grams powdered sugar
- 115 grams unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 400 grams sweetened condensed milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 120 milliliters fresh key lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
- Thin lime slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius and line a 20 by 20 centimeter baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine flour, 60 grams powdered sugar, melted butter, and salt until a soft dough forms.
- Press the crust mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
- In another bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, key lime juice, lime zest, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Pour the filling over the warm crust and spread evenly.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the filling is set but slightly jiggly in the center.
- Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm.
- Lift from the pan, slice into 12 squares, dust with powdered sugar, and garnish with lime slices if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh lime juice for the brightest flavor.
- Do not overbake to keep the filling creamy.
- Chill thoroughly before slicing for clean edges.
- Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: key lime bars, creamy lime dessert bars, citrus dessert squares, easy key lime recipe, buttery lime bars