St Patricks Key Lime Bars (Printable View)

Zesty key lime bars with a buttery graham crust and festive lime garnish.

# Ingredient List:

→ For the Crust

01 - 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
02 - ⅓ cup granulated sugar
03 - 6 tablespoons 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 teaspoons finely grated lime zest
09 - 2–3 drops green food coloring (optional)

→ For the Topping

10 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream
11 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
12 - Lime slices or zest for garnish (optional)

# How to Make It:

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 - 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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • The bright green color makes people smile before they even take a bite
  • That buttery graham crust holds everything together like a dependable friend
  • You can make them the night before and actually enjoy your own party
02 -
  • The center should still wiggle slightly when you take it out of the oven--it continues setting as it cools
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent the dreaded lumpy filling situation
  • These bars need at least 2 hours of chilling time, but overnight is even better for clean slices
03 -
  • Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the crust into the pan--it creates the most even, compact layer
  • Freshly squeezed lime juice makes a noticeable difference in brightness compared to bottled juice

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