What if lemon bars when further south to the Florida Keys? The result would be a combination of key lime pie and lemon bars: Key Lime Bars. The refreshing, sweet and tart flavor of key lime forms the gooey filling for the bars, set atop a crumbly graham cracker crust. Key Lime Bars leave everyone wanting more: once you share it with others, they’ll want you to make it again and again.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
For the filling:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup key lime juice
- 1/4 cup four
- 4 large eggs
- lime zest, to taste
- 3-4 drops green food coloring
- lime slices, optional, for garnish
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Using a mixer or a large bowl, fully combine the 1 1/4 cups of the flour, the graham cracker crumbs, the butter, and the confectioners’ sugar to form a dough.
Step 3 –Evenly press the dough into an ungreased 9×13-inch baking pan, working it gently but firmly.
Step 4 –Bake until just golden, about 20-25 minutes.
Step 5 –Whisk together the remaining sugar, the key lime juice, the remaining 1/4 cup flour, the eggs, the lime zest, and the food coloring until very evenly mixed.
Step 6 –Carefully remove the crust from the oven when done.
Step 7 –Pour the key lime mix over the hot crust.
Step 8 –Place the pan back into the oven to bake until set, about 20-25 minutes.
Step 9 –Remove the dessert from the oven and let it cool completely.
Step 10 –Cut the dessert into bars.
Step 11 –Garnish with the thin slices of lime.
Step 12 –Serve.