Lime Bars Graham Crust (Printer-friendly)
Tangy lime filling atop a buttery graham cracker crust, chilled and ready to enjoy.
# What you'll need:
→ Crust
01 - 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
02 - ⅓ cup granulated sugar
03 - 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
04 - ¼ tsp salt
→ Lime Filling
05 - 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
06 - 4 large egg yolks
07 - ½ cup fresh lime juice (about 4–5 limes)
08 - 1 tbsp lime zest (from about 2 limes)
→ Topping (optional)
09 - ½ cup heavy cream
10 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar
11 - Lime zest, for garnish
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-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. Mix until evenly moistened. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust.
03 - Bake the crust for 8–10 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, lime juice, and lime zest until smooth and well combined.
05 - Pour the lime filling over the cooled crust and spread evenly.
06 - Bake for 15 minutes, until the filling is just set and barely jiggles in the center.
07 - Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until fully chilled.
08 - For the optional topping, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Spread or pipe over chilled bars and garnish with lime zest.
09 - Lift bars out of the pan using parchment overhang. Cut into squares and serve chilled.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The contrast between that buttery, crisp crust and the silky lime filling is the kind of simple pleasure that makes people close their eyes when they take a bite
- These bars strike that perfect balance between sweet and tangy that keeps everyone coming back for just one more square
02 -
- The center of the filling should still jiggle slightly when you take it out of the oven, and if it seems completely firm, you have likely overbaked it
- Room temperature egg yolks prevent the filling from seizing up when you mix them with the cold lime juice
03 -
- Key limes make these even more special if you can find them, though regular limes work perfectly fine
- A pinch of sea salt in the crust instead of regular salt adds this tiny sophisticated finish that people notice but cannot quite place