Key Lime Pie Bars

I have two types of desserts that I like. The first is chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. I’m looking at things like chocolate chess pie, brownies, molten chocolate cake, and moose tracks ice cream. The second type of dessert I like, it’s citrus. lemon meringue pie, lemon bars, lemon tart, and of course, key lime pie. I know these types of desserts are complete opposites, but I just love both! These key lime pie bars are the perfect citrus dessert. I like them more than lemon bars and they’re easier than key lime pie. You can use whatever kind of citrus you like, but bottled key lime juice is readily available and makes these easy.

What you Need to Make Key Lime Pie Bars

• Butter: Good quality butter is important here! We aren’t working with a lot of ingredients and we want something that will give a rich, buttery flavor.
• Sugar: There’s a decent amount of sugar in this recipe to cut the tartness of the key limes. We have sugar in both the crust and in the filling.
• Key lime juice: If using fresh key lime juice, be sure to strain it so the filling of these bars stays nice and smooth.
• Salt: Just a little bit! But it’s necessary to the flavor.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla gives the crust the perfect flavor.
• Flour: Flour is in both the crust and the filling. It helps to thicken the filling. All-purpose flour is all you need.

How to Make Key Lime Pie Bars

• First, prep your crust. Melted butter is combined with sugar, flour, salt, and vanilla for a simple and delicious shortbread crust. Spray a 9 x 13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment paper for easy removal. Press the crust into the prepared pan and bake until the dough is golden brown around the edges.
• While that’s baking, make your filling. Whisk together sugar, key lime juice, eggs, and a little flour. For such a delicious recipe we are using relatively few ingredients! Making this an easy recipe to make anytime.
• Pour the filling over the crust and bake again. Carefully return to the oven to finish baking. Allow to cool to room temperature before refrigerating to cool completely.
• When cooled, use a knife to loosen the edges of the bars before removing. Slice into bars and dust with powdered sugar. Top with whipped cream and enjoy! I recommend waiting until you’re ready to serve them before adding the powdered sugar and whipped cream.

Normally for Easter I make a carrot cake for dessert. But because it’s just going to be our immediately family, I’m keeping things simple. These key lime pie bars are really the perfect Easter dessert. Key lime gives you a nice light, bright flavor and these bars are perfect to make in advance. Sprinkle them with some powdered sugar, add a dollop of whipped cream, and dessert is ready to go. This recipe makes a 9 x 13 pan of treats. I was happy to share some of these with neighbors, and even froze a few to enjoy later! There’s never a bad time to enjoy dessert, especially at a time like this when you’re staying safe at home. Sometimes a little treat is the best thing you can enjoy at the end of the day! If you know me, you know that while I enjoy eating pies, I don’t enjoy making pie crust. These bars take all the work out of making a dessert like a key lime pie but are just as delicious, if not more delicious!

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