Key Lime Pie Bars
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If you love the refreshing tang of key lime pie but don’t always feel like making a whole pie, these Key Lime Pie Bars are just what you need. They have the same creamy, citrusy filling and buttery graham cracker crust, but in an easy bar form that you can slice and share. Whether you’re bringing them to a potluck, setting them out for a backyard BBQ, or just making something sweet for the family, these bars are always a hit.
I adore anything key lime! The year before last, we drove the Florida Keys with some close friends of ours, and while we spent just shy of a week there, we tried over 15 Key Lime Pies! That trip was nicknamed “The Key Lime Pie Tour.” We had a great time exploring the sights and sampling all the different pies. If you love that tangy filling and butter graham cracker crust, you are going to want to give these easy dessert bars a try soon. They come together quickly. The hardest part is waiting for them to cool so you can slice and eat them!
Easy Key Lime Bars Recipe
These bars are bright and refreshing, featuring a signature tangy lime flavor that balances the sweetness perfectly. They come together with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, which makes them even more appealing. Because they slice so neatly, they are perfect for sharing at gatherings, potlucks, or family dinners. Best of all, they make a wonderful dessert any time of year, whether you are enjoying them on a warm summer day or craving a little taste of sunshine in the middle of winter.
If you love Key Lime too, be sure to check out my Key Lime Pie Smoothie and this Key Lime Slab Pie!
Simple Key Lime Dessert Anytime
These bars are as simple as desserts come with no fancy equipment and no complicated steps. You just make a quick crust, whisk together the filling, and let the oven do the rest. The hardest part is waiting for them to cool before slicing. Because they are so easy, they make a perfect dessert any time of year, refreshing in the summer and a cheerful pick-me-up during the colder months.
Ingredients for Key Lime Pie Bars
For complete ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card.
- Graham crackers, butter, and sugar: The classic trio for a sweet, buttery crust. Make sure you finely crush your graham cracker crumbs for the best crust.
- Sweetened condensed milk: The creamy base that adds both sweetness and that luscious pie-like texture.
- Eggs: They help set the filling and give it structure, much like a baked cheesecake.
- Key lime juice: The star of the recipe, giving the bars their bright and zesty flavor. Regular lime juice works in a pinch, and is usually easier to find.
- Lime Zest – for topping, if desired.
How to Make Key Lime Pie Bars
You will be enjoying this easy recipe for Key Lime Pie Bars in no time!
Melt your butter in the microwave on 30-second intervals at half power. Once it is completely melted, stir the butter and graham cracker crumbs together until the mixture resembles wet sand.
Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of an 8×8-inch square baking pan. Set aside.
Whisk together the eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and key lime juice.
Pour the filling into the baking dish and tap the dish on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. Bake your key lime pie bars for 30 minutes.
Remove your key lime pie bars from the oven, dust them with a little zested lime and let them cool for an hour before slicing them.
How to Store Key Lime Pie Bars
These bars keep well for up to 4 days, either in the fridge or on the counter. Try them both ways. Straight from the fridge, they are cool and creamy, while at room temperature, they are soft and luscious. Serve them plain or with a dollop of whipped cream if you want to dress them up.
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If you love this Key Lime Pie Bar Recipe, make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!
Tips for the Best Key Lime Pie Squares
- If using unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon salt to the crust to balance the flavors.
- Regular lime juice can be swapped in for key lime juice. For extra flavor, add a little lime zest to the filling.
- Don’t skip the cooling time. This helps the filling set so your bars cut cleanly.
- A sprinkle of lime zest on top before serving adds brightness and makes them look extra pretty.
More Dessert Bar Recipes to Love
Dessert bars are an easy way to get a sweet treat to the table quickly. I have a whole collection of dessert bars here on my site, here are a few of my personal favorites: Dutch Letter Bars, Raisin Spice Bars, Fresh Orange Bars, Double Chocolate Cranberry Magic Bars, Apple Pie Crumb Bars and these amazing Lemon Blueberry Bars (pictured above) and my viral Lemon Brownie recipe!
Whether you are a longtime fan of key lime pie or just looking for a quick and easy dessert that delivers big flavor, these Key Lime Pie Bars are sure to win you over. They have all the creamy, tangy goodness of the classic pie, but in a fun bar form that is perfect for sharing. Keep this recipe handy for potlucks, holidays, or those times when you just need a little sweet pick-me-up. You’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again.
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Key Lime Pie Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter
- 2 ½ cups crushed graham crackers
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup key lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Melt your butter in the microwave on 30-second intervals at half power. Once it is completely melted, stir the butter and graham cracker crumbs together until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of an 8×8-inch baking dish. Set aside.
- Whisk together the eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and key lime juice. Pour the filling into the baking dish and tap the dish on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. Bake your key lime pie bars for 30 minutes.
- Remove your key lime pie bars from the oven and let them cool for an hour before slicing them. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can store these bars in the fridge or on the counter for up to 4 days. We loved how they tasted at room temperature or straight from the fridge.
- You can use regular lime juice instead of key lime juice if you’d like. Regular lime juice/ limes can sometimes be easy to find at your local grocery store.
- If you are using unsalted butter, then add ¼ teaspoon to your graham cracker crust. You want to have that light hint of saltiness to help cut through the zestiness of the lime juice.
- It is important to give your key lime pie bars time to cool. As they cool, they will set up a little more, making them easier to slice.
- I like to top my key lime pie bars with a little bit of lime zest. You can use the zest of about 1 lime or 3 key limes.
- You can make sure your key lime pie bars are done baking by very lightly poking the top. The filling should hold its shape. Your key lime pie filling should have a similar texture to a properly cooked cheesecake.
