Key Lime Pie Bars (Printable)

Tangy and creamy lime bars resting on a buttery graham crust—refreshing dessert for any occasion.

# What You'll Need:

→ Graham Cracker Crust

01 - 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

→ Key Lime Filling

04 - 4 large egg yolks
05 - 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
06 - 1/2 cup key lime juice
07 - 1 tablespoon key lime zest
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Garnish

09 - Whipped cream
10 - Extra lime zest or thin lime slices

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a medium bowl. Mix until evenly moistened. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
03 - Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
04 - While crust cools, whisk egg yolks in a large bowl until thickened, about 1 minute. Whisk in sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, lime zest, and salt until smooth.
05 - Pour filling over warm crust and spread evenly. Bake for 15-17 minutes, until center is set but still slightly jiggly.
06 - Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 3-4 hours, until fully chilled.
07 - Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang and cut into 16 squares. Garnish with whipped cream and extra lime zest or slices if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sweet-tangy balance hits that perfect spot where your eyes literally close from satisfaction
  • They travel beautifully and actually taste better after chilling overnight
02 -
  • The center should still jiggle slightly when you take it out—it continues cooking as it cools and will firm up perfectly
  • Room temperature eggs incorporate better, so pull them out while you're prepping everything else
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent the dreaded separated filling disaster
  • Press the crust into the corners using the bottom of a measuring cup for even thickness

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