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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Key Lime Bars with Shortbread Crust

    By: Kim Peterson · Posted: Apr 3, 2018 · Updated: May 24, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These Key Lime Bars with Shortbread Crust are a delicious, refreshing twist on the classic lemon version, and strike a perfect-pucker balance between sweet and sour. They’re a cinch to make, can be made ahead, and are freezer friendly!

    Key Lime Bars with Shortbread Crust | Give it Some Thyme - a refreshing, delicious and easy dessert recipe you can make ahead and is freezer friendly! #keylimebars #keylimerecipes #lemonbars #refreshingdesserts #easydesserts #shortbread #giveitsomethyme

    Key Limes vs Regular Limes

    Do you have to use key limes? Of course not. Regular Persian limes will work. However, key limes, also known as Mexican or West Indian limes, are more aromatic with a more tart, floral juice. Also, the zest of a key lime has more zing.

    When it comes to looks, key limes are about the size of a walnut and no larger than a golf ball, as shown below.

    Key Limes vs Regular Limes

    Plus, they have more seeds than regular limes so pour the juice through a fine strainer to make sure none sneak into the filling.

    Key Lime Juice and Zest

    Cooking Steps & Tips

    The crust is a basic shortbread dough that’s all of three ingredients. Love that! 2 TIPS to keep in mind though - First, line the baking pan with parchment paper with a two-inch overhang on each side. This will keep the bars from sticking to the pan and make it easy to transfer the whole thing to a cutting board. They are much easier to cut this way, and you’ll spare your pan a repeated assault with a sharp knife.

    Dough in pan

    Second, press the dough on the bottom and about a half inch up the sides so the filling doesn’t seep down the sides and end up on the bottom of the crust resembling an inside-out pop-tart. Believe me, I know this from experience!

    Dough Pressed into Baking Dish

    The crust will take on a nice golden hue once baked.

    Dough Base Baked

    Pour the filling over and pop back in the oven!

    Filling Poured Over Baked Base

    Let the pan cool completely on a rack, then cover and chill at least one hour. The colder the tart is the cleaner the cut you’ll get when serving. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar and you’re good to go. Enjoy!

    Remember to PIN THIS to save the recipe for later!

    Key Lime Bars with Shortbread Crust | Give it Some Thyme - a refreshing, delicious and easy dessert recipe you can make ahead and is freezer friendly! #keylimebars #keylimerecipes #lemonbars #refreshingdesserts #easydesserts #shortbread #giveitsomethyme

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    Key Lime Bars with Shortbread Crust - Give it Some Thyme

    Key Lime Bars with Shortbread Crust

    These Key Lime Bars with a sweet, shortbread crust are a delicious, refreshing twist on the classic lemon version.
    4.93 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 16 2-inch bars
    Calories: 189kcal
    Author: Kim Peterson

    Equipment

    • Stand mixer

    Ingredients

    CRUST

    • 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter , ¾ cup, room temperature
    • 1 ½ cups flour
    • ⅓ cup powdered sugar

    FILLING

    • 3 large eggs , room temperature
    • 1 ¼ cups white granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup flour
    • ¼ cup key lime juice , strained
    • 1 teaspoon key lime zest
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    CRUST

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking dish. Line with parchment paper with 2-inch overhang.
    • In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, mix butter, flour, and powdered sugar together on low speed until dough starts to form clumps.
    • Flour your hands to press dough into bottom and ½-inch up sides of parchment lined baking dish.
    • Bake in preheated oven until light golden brown, 20-22 minutes. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack.

    FILLING

    • While crust bakes, beat eggs with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and foamy.
    • Add sugar, flour, key lime juice, zest, baking powder, and salt. Mix until well combined. Pour key lime mixture over crust.
    • Bake 22-25 minutes until edges are lightly golden and center is set.
    • Cool in baking dish on rack. Then chill at least 1 hour before serving. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
    • Use parchment paper overhang to remove from pan and cut into squares. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with quartered lime wedges and additional zest, if desired.

    Notes

    Key lime bars will last in the fridge for 5 days. Or freeze in resealable bags up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 bar | Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 311IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 14mg
    Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @giveitsomethyme or tag #giveitsomethyme!

    This page contains affiliate links. Meaning, whenever you purchase an item after clicking an Amazon link through this website, we receive a small percentage from Amazon. It doesn’t cost anything extra to you! It simply helps maintain the blog. Thanks so much!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dorothy Laiti says

      January 19, 2021 at 9:51 pm

      This recipe was so easy and OMG, very tasty. The shortbread crust is perfect with not being too sweet and the filling was a perfect blend of flavors. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.

      Reply
      • Kim Peterson says

        January 20, 2021 at 1:16 pm

        Thrilled you enjoyed it! Definitely a favorite around here too!

        Reply
    2. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

      April 03, 2018 at 9:04 pm

      These bars look perfect. There's something amazingly about the combo of sweet and buttery shortbread and refreshing key lime filling. Well done!

      Reply
      • Kim Peterson says

        April 03, 2018 at 10:26 pm

        Addictive. Downright addictive. Thanks Ben!!

        Reply
    3. Melissa Griffiths says

      April 03, 2018 at 8:56 pm

      So easy! This is a great dessert for spring!

      Reply
      • Kim Peterson says

        April 03, 2018 at 10:24 pm

        Thanks Melissa! It sure is!! 🙂

        Reply

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    Kim | Creator and Author of Give it Some Thyme

    Welcome! I'm Kim - author, recipe developer, and food photographer behind Give it Some Thyme. Here you'll find wholesome, classic and contemporary recipes that make memorable meals every home chef can prepare. Pull up a chair!

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