How to make heavenly Key Lime Bars that are reminiscent of your grandma’s lemon bar recipe. You’ll love the key lime taste!
Summer is almost over and I didn’t want to let it go without sharing one more favorite recipe that my family has been enjoying this summer. We have been really into key lime juice and key lime flavors. These Key Lime Bars are a twist on my husband’s Grandma’s recipe of Lemon Bars. It’s a very classic recipe that she she made often in her days of baking during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. My husband is actually the one who made these bars and added the key lime juice instead of lemon juice. It was delicious! So give this easy recipe of key lime bars a try!
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Now, this recipe is a lot like the classic lemon bars you are used to. The crust is a sort of shortbread type crust, similar to the key lime shortbread bars recipe at Add a Pinch.
Regular Limes vs. Key Limes
Why do we use Key Limes instead of just regular limes? What is the difference? Key Limes are from the Florida Keys and they have a very distinctive aroma compared to regular limes. They are also known as Mexican Limes. They are smaller, more yellow, and have more seeds than regular limes. Key Limes are supposedly a little less tart than regular limes and have a more powerful zest. If you don’t can’t find key limes or key lime juice, simply use lime juice and/or lemon juice. But if you have some key limes around the house, these Key Lime Bars are the perfect key lime dessert to make!
Also, if you are a lemon lover or citrus recipe lover, you’ll want to try these other delicious lemon recipes!
Lemon Raspberry Trifle
Lemonade Ice Cream Pie
Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake
Lemon Pound Cake
Fresh Citrus Scones
How to Make Key Lime Bars
Here’s how you make the key lime bars:
1. Beat the eggs whites with half of the flour and half of the sugar. Beat until stiff.
2. Beat the egg yolks with the other half of the flour and sugar, and also add the baking powder and lime juice.
3. Fold yolk mixture into egg white mixture.
4. Pour over crust and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
5. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top if desired. Let them cool and enjoy!
Key Lime Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Crust:
1 cup butter
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Mix together well and pat into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan or a jelly roll pan. Bake crust at 350 for 15-20 minutes until slightly tan in color.
Key Lime Filling:
4 eggs, separate whites and yolks
1 1/2 cups sugar, halved
4 TB flour, halved
1/4 cup of key lime juice (fresh is best, but bottled is fine too)
1 tsp baking powder
Beat the eggs whites with half of the flour and half of the sugar. Beat until stiff. Beat the egg yolks with the other half of the flour and sugar, and also add the baking powder and lime juice. Fold yolk mixture into egg white mixture. Pour over crust and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
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