americandessert
Key Lime Bars
Tart key lime custard on buttery shortbread crust.
Prep
15 min
Cook
25 min
Servings
16
Difficulty
Easy
★★★★★
4.7(2,100 ratings)#key lime#bars#florida#dessert#tart
About This Recipe
A Florida classic — tangy key lime filling on a sweet buttery shortbread base. Perfect balance of tart and sweet in bite-sized bar form.
Ingredients
Serves 16
- 200 ggraham cracker crumbs
- 100 gmelted butter
- 2 tbspsugar
- 1 cansweetened condensed milk
- 3egg yolks
- 100 mlkey lime juice
- 1 tbsplime zest
- powdered sugarfor dusting
Instructions
- 1
Make crust
Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Press into 20cm square pan. Bake 10 minutes at 175°C.
- 2
Make filling
Whisk condensed milk, egg yolks, lime juice and lime zest until smooth.
- 3
Bake
Pour filling over crust. Bake 15 minutes at 175°C until set.
- 4
Cool and chill
Cool completely. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before cutting.
- 5
Serve
Cut into squares. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve chilled.
Pro Tips
- →
Use real key lime juice for authentic flavor.
- →
Don't overfill with filling or it will crack when cooling
- →
Chill thoroughly before cutting for clean edges
Variations
- •
Add a meringue topping for elegance.
- •
Make a chocolate key lime version with cocoa crust.
- •
Create a no-bake version using cream cheese base.
- •
Top with whipped cream and toasted coconut.
Storage
Keep refrigerated up to 3 days.
History & Origin
Key Lime Bars evolved from the famous Key Lime Pie, a Florida tradition using tart key limes native to the Florida Keys. This bar version brings the same tangy-sweet tropical flavor in a more portable, shareable format. It became iconic of Florida's unique ingredient and tropical culinary identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular lime juice instead of key lime?
Yes, but the flavor differs — regular limes are less tart. Use slightly less regular lime juice and add more lime zest for intensity. Key limes are worth seeking out for authentic flavor.
Why doesn't my filling set properly?
Make sure you're using sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk) and don't overbeat the filling. The condensed milk's sweetness helps it set. Chill for at least 2 hours.
Can I make these without raw egg yolks?
Yes! Use pasteurized eggs or pasteurized egg yolks from the grocery store. Or use ½ cup whipped cream and cream cheese instead of egg yolks for a no-bake version.
How do I get a perfect graham cracker crust?
Toast the crust for 10 minutes before adding filling. This seals it and prevents sogginess. Press it firmly and evenly into the pan.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (60g / 2.1 oz) · 16 servings total
Calories220kcal
Protein2g
Carbohydrates28g
Fat12g
Fiber0g
Protein2g
Carbs28g
Fat12g
Time Summary
Prep time15 min
Cook time25 min
Total time40 min
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