St Patricks Key Lime Bars (Printable)
Zesty lime bars with a buttery crust and festive green color, ideal for a bright and tangy dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Crust
01 - 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
02 - ⅓ cup granulated sugar
03 - 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
04 - Pinch of salt
→ For the Filling
05 - 4 large egg yolks
06 - 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
07 - ½ cup fresh Key lime juice
08 - 2 tsp finely grated lime zest
09 - 2-3 drops green food coloring (optional)
→ For the Topping
10 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream
11 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar
12 - Lime slices or zest for garnish (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, and salt. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
03 - Bake crust for 8-10 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool slightly.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks until slightly thickened. Add sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, lime zest, and food coloring if using. Whisk until smooth and fully combined.
05 - Pour filling over the cooled crust and smooth the top. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
06 - Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until fully chilled.
07 - Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
08 - Lift bars from the pan using the parchment overhang. Slice into squares. Top each bar with whipped cream and garnish with lime slices or zest if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The buttery graham crust balances that bright lime punch so perfectly you will not believe it came from such simple ingredients
- These bars are a total conversation starter but they come together in under thirty minutes of active work
02 -
- The center will look underbaked when you pull it from the oven but that is exactly how it should be since it continues setting as it chills
- Cutting these with a warm knife wiped clean between each slice gives you those picture perfect sharp edges
03 -
- Press the crust mixture into the corners and edges firmly or you will end up with crumbly bars that fall apart when you try to lift them
- Room temperature eggs incorporate so much better into the filling preventing any little bits of cooked egg in your finished bars