Key Lime Bars

By
Anita Schecter
Anita Schecter_BW
Anita Schecter
Professional recipe developer, food photographer, and blogger with more than a decade of experience creating Middle Eastern recipes.
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Updated on 01/24/24
Key Lime Bars

The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 22 mins
Refrigerate: 4 hrs
Total: 4 hrs 37 mins
Servings: 12 servings

You've probably seen lots of recipes for Key lime pies and other sweet and or frozen key lime treats and cocktails. But what exactly are Key limes and how are they different from the limes we typically find in the grocery stores?

The traditional supermarket lime is a Persian lime (despite the fact that they are not grown in Iran). Key limes (named after the Florida Keys) are smaller than the Persian limes and contain more seeds. They have a thinner rind, higher acidity, and stronger aroma than Persian limes, and are actually more popular throughout the world. Only the United States prefers the Persian limes. The Key lime's name is as deceptive as the Persian's, because they are not grown in the Keys. Most come from tropical climates such as Mexico. 


Key limes are usually available in the summer, from June through August. But, if Key limes are not in season, or if your local store doesn't carry them, does that mean you shouldn't make lime flavored treats? Absolutely not! The regular Persian limes will work just fine.

While Key lime pie is probably the best known lime dessert, these bars have a lot of the same flavors but in a quick and easy version that can be put together in minutes.

Lime bars are very refreshing and they taste great chilled. Expecting guests for a summer BBQ? Make these bars quickly in the morning and put them in the fridge until company arrives.  You'll have a tasty, homemade treat with very little fuss.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

  • 1 1/2 cup graham crackers crumbs

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Lime Filling:

  • 3 large egg yolks, room temperature

  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 2 teaspoons lime zest

  • Lime slices, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Pre-heat the oven to 350 F.

  3. Add the graham crackers to a food processor and pulse until you have crumbs. Add in the sugar and melted butter.

  4. Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of an 8" x 8" square baking pan. Note that a glass pan works very well for this recipe.

  5. Bake for 10 minutes and allow to cool slightly, while leaving the oven on.

  6. For the lime filling: Add the egg yolks to a mixing bowl and, using a stand or hand mixer, beat for a few minutes until fluffy.

  7. Mix in the sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, salt, and lime zest.

  8. Pour the mixture into the graham cracker crust and return to the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until set.

  9. Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for 4 hours.

  10. Slice into bars and serve with a wedge of lime on top, if desired. 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
284 Calories
12g Fat
39g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 284
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 16%
Saturated Fat 7g 34%
Cholesterol 92mg 31%
Sodium 169mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 39g 14%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 31g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 8mg 39%
Calcium 151mg 12%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 228mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)