St Patricks Key Lime Bars (Printable Version)
Vibrant key lime bars with a buttery graham crust and zesty lime filling, perfect for festive occasions.
# What You 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 or regular 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)
# Directions:
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.
06 - Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until set but still slightly jiggly in the center. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until fully chilled.
07 - For the topping, 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 Tips:
01 -
- These bars deliver that perfect sweet-tart Key lime flavor in an easier handheld format
- The festive green color feels celebratory without tasting like food coloring
- They can be made entirely ahead, leaving you free to enjoy the party
02 -
- The centers should still wiggle slightly when you remove them from the oven because they continue setting as they cool
- Room temperature eggs whisk into the filling more easily and create a smoother texture
- These need the full chilling time to slice cleanly, so plan accordingly
03 -
- Fresh lime juice makes a noticeable difference in brightness compared to bottled juice
- Pressing the crust mixture with the bottom of a measuring cup ensures an even layer