Lime Bars (a twist on Lemon Bars)

Bright, tangy, and irresistibly creamy, these Lime Bars are a citrusy twist on the classic lemon bar. With a buttery shortbread crust and a zesty lime custard topping, they’re the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Serve chilled for a refreshing treat any time of year!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Yield: 12 bars

Ingredients
Scale: 1x

For the Crust:

• 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces

For the Filling:

• 1¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp lime zest
• ⅔ cup (159 ml) fresh lime juice
• Drop of green and/or yellow food coloring (optional, for color)

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line an 11×7-inch or 8–9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, allowing it to overhang on two sides for easy removal.

Step 2: Make the Shortbread Crust
In a food processor, combine flour, powdered sugar, salt, and butter. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan and bake for 18–20 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 3: Prepare the Lime Filling
While the crust bakes, whisk together the sugar and flour in a medium bowl.
Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in lime zest, lime juice, and food coloring (if using). Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Bake the Bars
Pour the filling over the hot crust and return the pan to the oven. Bake for an additional 18–20 minutes, or until the center is set and no longer jiggles.
Cool completely in the pan (about 1 hour), then refrigerate for 1–2 hours until fully chilled.

Step 5: Serve
Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Slice into 12 squares.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Storage
Refrigerate leftover bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Use Fresh Limes: For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed lime juice. Bottled juice can taste dull or bitter in comparison.
• Key Lime Variation: Substitute regular limes with key limes for a slightly more tart and floral flavor.
• Easy Removal: Parchment paper with overhang is key for lifting the bars out cleanly—don’t skip this step!
• Chill Time Matters: Be sure to chill thoroughly before slicing to help the bars set and achieve clean cuts.
• For a Brighter Look: A drop of green and yellow food coloring gives the filling a vibrant lime hue, but it’s purely optional.
• Make Ahead: These bars can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge. They taste even better after chilling overnight!
• Dusting with Powdered Sugar: If adding powdered sugar on top, do so just before serving to avoid it absorbing into the filling.

Nutrition (Per Bar)
Calories: 232 | Carbohydrates: 34g |

Sugar: 23g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Protein: 4g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 134mg

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