Lime pie bars- inspired by my dad’s long-standing love of Key Lime Pie. As a USCG veteran, he had spent his time in the service along the Atlantic coast, much of that being the gorgeous coastline of Florida. With this in mind, he has had some of the most authentic, and probably best Key Lime Pies out there. Since my dad was coming over, I wanted to surprise him with something special. Thankfully, lime pie bars was a huge win!
I like to make desserts that bring joy to everyone. Even though the kids love chocolate, my husband does not favor it. Therefore, I try to balance it with a few chocolate treats to appease the kids but also include more fruity treats for him as well.
What’s great about lime pie bars? They are so simple to prepare and make an impressive 24 servings. Most importantly, they are bursting with fresh and tangy flavor. Lime pie bars store well in the refrigerator for up to five days, of course, I wouldn’t ever expect them to last that long around here!
Lime Pie Bars: A Sweet, Tangy, and Delicious Dessert That Will Have You Coming Back for More!
If you love the bright, zesty flavor of citrus desserts, then lime pie bars need to be on your baking list. These sweet and tangy treats offer all the flavor of a classic key lime pie, but in a portable, bite-sized bar form. They’re easy to make, perfect for any occasion, and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re a citrus dessert fanatic or just looking for something refreshing and different, lime pie bars are the ultimate treat!
What Are Lime Pie Bars?
Lime pie bars are a citrusy dessert that combines a buttery, crumbly graham cracker crust with a smooth and tangy lime filling. They’re essentially a simplified, more snackable version of the classic key lime pie. Unlike a traditional pie that requires careful slicing and serving, lime pie bars are baked in a 13×9 pan and cut into easy-to-handle bars—making them ideal for parties, picnics, potlucks, or a quick treat at home.
The flavor is the perfect balance of tart and sweet, and the texture is silky and creamy, contrasted with the crunch of the crust. Topped with a layer of fresh whipped cream, these lime dessert bars are a refreshing change from chocolate-heavy desserts.
Limes vs. Key Limes: What’s the Difference?
One of the most common questions people ask when making lime desserts is: What’s the difference between regular limes and key limes? And more importantly, which one should you use in your lime pie bars? Either will work, therefore, this recipe is written using regular limes.
Regular Limes (Persian Limes):
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Larger in size
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Thick, bright green skin
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More widely available in grocery stores (and less expensive)
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Tart and slightly bitter flavor
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Juicy and easy to work with
Key Limes:
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Smaller, rounder, and more yellow in color
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Thin skin and more aromatic
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More acidic and sweeter than Persian limes
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Known for their distinct, floral, and tropical flavor
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Traditionally used in key lime pies
While both types of limes can be used in lime pie bars, key limes are generally preferred if you want that authentic, unmistakable key lime flavor. However, if you can’t find key limes—or simply don’t want to juice a dozen tiny fruits—regular Persian limes work just fine.
Either way, your bars will turn out delicious, zesty, and full of citrusy goodness.
Why Lime Pie Bars Are So Delicious
The secret to the irresistible flavor of lime pie bars lies in their simplicity. The rich, buttery crust provides a perfect foundation that complements the creamy lime filling. The filling itself is made from just a few key ingredients—sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, cream cheese, lime juice, and lime zest. When baked together, the ingredients form a silky, custard-like layer that’s bursting with citrus flavor.
Every bite is a harmony of textures and flavors:
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Crunchy crust
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Creamy, tangy center
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Sweet and tart lime finish
It’s the kind of dessert that leaves you feeling refreshed rather than weighed down, making lime pie bars a fantastic choice for warm weather and those moments when you crave something light and flavorful. Don’t wait—let’s bake up some lime pie bars and get ready to share!
How to Make Lime Pie Bars
Here’s a quick overview of how to make these delicious lime dessert bars:
Ingredients:
For the crust:
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graham cracker crumbs
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melted butter
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sugar
- cinnamon
For the filling:
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sweetened condensed milk
- sour cream
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egg yolks
- cream cheese
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fresh lime juice (key lime or regular)
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lime zest
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Make the crust: Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, cinnamon and sugar. Press into the bottom of a parchment paper lined 13×9 pan. Bake for 7-8 minutes, then cool slightly.
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Make the filling: In a bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, sour cream, sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, lime juice, and lime zest until smooth and thick.
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Pour the filling over the crust and bake for 20 minutes, or until set.
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Cool completely, then chill in the fridge for at least an hour before slicing.
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Top the bars, finally, spread freshly prepared whipped cream over the bars, slice and serve!
Tips for Perfect Lime Bars Every Time
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Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
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Chill thoroughly before slicing to get clean, sharp edges. Wipe the knife with a clean paper towel between slices.
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Add the zest for extra citrus punch. Zest is important for that extra boost of limey flavor.
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Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
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Store in the fridge— in fact, they taste even better the next day!
Lime Pie Bars: A Crowd-Pleasing Favorite Dessert
Whether you’re baking for a summer BBQ, a holiday gathering, or bake sale item, lime pie bars deliver big flavor with minimal fuss. Their balance of tart lime, sweet creaminess, and buttery crunch makes them one of the most delicious citrus desserts you can make.
So, the next time you’re craving something bright, refreshing, and irresistible, bake a batch of these lime pie bars—and watch them disappear in minutes. Get ready to impress!
Looking for More Delicious Fruity Bars? Try Another One of These Tempting Recipes!
Lime pie bars
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Ingredients
Graham cracker crust
- 3 cups Graham cracker crumbs (Organic)
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 10 tbsp Butter, melted
Lime Filling
- 1 8 oz package Cream cheese
- 1/2 cup Sour cream
- 2 14 oz cans Sweetened condensed milk
- 2 Egg yolks
- 1 cup Lime juice (about 5 limes)
- 1 tbsp Lime zest
Whipped cream
- 2 cups Heavy cream
- 4 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Place a parchment paper sling in a 13x9 baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Pour the crumbs into the baking dish and press to make a firm, even bottom crust.
- Bake the crust for 7 minutes.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven while preparing the lime filling.
- In a large stand mixer, beat the cream cheese until fluffy.
- Add the sour cream, sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, lime juice, and lime zest.
- Beat again until fully mixed.
- Pour the lime filling on top of the graham cracker crust and smooth the top to make the layer even.
- Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the baking dish to a cooling rack and allow to cool for 30 minutes before chilling in the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla for 3-4 minutes or until stiff peaks form.
- Remove the bars from the refrigerator and spread the whipped cream on top of the bars.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.
Nutrition
