Description
Delight in these easy-to-make Key Lime Pie Bars that perfectly balance tangy lime flavor with a sweet, creamy filling on a buttery graham cracker crust. This refreshing dessert is ideal for summer gatherings and can be prepared ahead of time for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling
- 2 cans (14 ounces each) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup key lime juice (fresh or bottled)
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
For Garnish (optional)
- Whipped cream
- Extra lime zest
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until evenly moist. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking pan to form the crust.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Once baked, remove it and allow to cool slightly so it firms up but remains warm enough to accept the filling.
- Mix Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, key lime juice, and lime zest until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring a creamy and tangy filling.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the prepared filling evenly over the baked crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. The filling should be just set with slightly firm edges, not fully jiggly.
- Cool and Chill: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature. Afterward, refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until fully chilled and firm.
- Serve: Cut into 12 bars and optionally top each serving with whipped cream and a sprinkle of extra lime zest for garnish before serving.
Notes
- For a stronger lime flavor, add additional lime zest to the filling mixture.
- These bars can be prepared ahead of time and stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For an extra crunchy crust, bake the crust alone for an additional 2 to 3 minutes before adding the filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
