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Key Ingredients for the Crust - 1 cup graham cracker crumbs - 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1/3 cup granulated sugar The crust gives your Key Lime Pie Bars a nice crunch. Graham cracker crumbs add sweetness and texture. Adding coconut flakes makes the crust even more tasty. Melted butter helps bind the crumbs together. The sugar sweetens the crust just right. Key Ingredients for the Filling - 2 large eggs - 1 cup sweetened condensed milk - 1/2 cup fresh key lime juice - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Zest of 2 key limes The filling is where the magic happens. Eggs help set the filling, making it firm. Sweetened condensed milk adds creaminess and sweetness. Fresh key lime juice gives that tangy flavor. Vanilla extract enhances the taste, while lime zest adds a bright note. Toppings and Garnishes - Whipped cream (for topping) - Thin lime slices (for garnish) Whipped cream adds a light and airy touch. It balances the tartness of the bars. Thin lime slices make for a lovely garnish. They add color and a fresh look to each serving. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This heat is perfect for baking. Next, take an 8x8-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper. Leave some paper hanging over the sides. This will help you lift the bars out later. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup of unsweetened coconut flakes, 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter, and 1/3 cup of granulated sugar. Mix well until the crumbs are moistened. This mixture should look like wet sand. Press it evenly into the bottom of the baking dish to form a crust. Bake it for 10 minutes or until it turns lightly golden. When done, take it out and let it cool slightly. In another bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup of fresh key lime juice, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and the zest of 2 key limes. Mix until the filling is smooth. This mixture brings the tangy flavor we love in key lime pie. Pour the lime filling over the crust, spreading it evenly. Bake in the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes. The filling should be set but still a little jiggly in the center. When the time is up, remove it from the oven. Allow the bars to cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate them for at least 2 hours. This helps them firm up and enhances the flavor. Once chilled, lift the bars out of the dish using the parchment paper. Cut them into squares. Serve each bar with a dollop of whipped cream on top. Add a thin slice of lime for a nice garnish. Enjoy your tasty and tangy key lime pie bars! To make the crust just right, use fresh graham cracker crumbs. I like to crush whole crackers for the best texture. Adding unsweetened coconut flakes gives it a nice tropical twist. Mix these with melted butter and sugar until moist. Press this mixture firmly into your baking dish. Bake it until golden, about 10 minutes. This step is key for a crunchy base. One common mistake is not letting the crust cool before adding the filling. Make sure it cools slightly; this keeps the filling from sinking. Another mistake is overbaking the filling. You want it to be set but still a bit jiggly in the center. If you bake it too long, it can turn rubbery. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you for this tip. Use a sturdy mixing bowl and a whisk for combining your ingredients. A baking dish lined with parchment paper makes removal easy. A sharp knife or a pizza cutter helps cut the bars into neat squares. Finally, have a zester handy for that fresh lime zest. These tools help make the process smoother and more enjoyable. Pro Tips Chill Before Serving: For the best texture, allow the bars to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. This helps the filling firm up and enhances the flavors. Fresh Key Limes: If possible, use fresh key limes for the juice and zest. They provide a brighter, more vibrant flavor than bottled lime juice. Perfectly Cut Bars: To get clean cuts, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for neat edges. Variations: Experiment with different toppings like toasted coconut or a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs for added texture and flavor. {{image_2}} You can add a fun twist to your key lime pie bars by using coconut. Just stir in 1/4 cup of unsweetened coconut flakes into the crust mix. This gives a rich flavor and a tropical touch. The coconut pairs well with the tangy lime. You can also sprinkle some on top for a great look and extra crunch. If you need a gluten-free treat, swap the graham cracker crumbs for gluten-free crust options. Use crushed almond flour or gluten-free cookies. This way, everyone can enjoy these tasty bars. Just ensure that your sweetened condensed milk is gluten-free as well. Get creative with toppings! You can try fresh berries like blueberries or strawberries for a fruity kick. A sprinkle of toasted coconut adds texture. For extra flavor, drizzle some lime zest over the whipped cream. You can even mix in some chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the filling for a unique twist. Each option adds a new layer of flavor to your key lime pie bars. To keep your Key Lime Pie Bars fresh, place them in an airtight container. You can store them in the fridge for up to a week. Make sure to cover them well before placing them in the container. This keeps them from drying out and helps them stay cool and tasty. If you want to save some bars for later, freezing is a great option. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap tightly. Then, place them in a freezer bag or container. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you are ready to eat, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. For the best taste, eat your Key Lime Pie Bars within a week if stored in the fridge. If frozen, try to consume them within three months for the best flavor. After that, they may lose some of their tangy goodness. Remember, freshness is key to enjoying these delicious treats! Yes, you can use regular limes. Key limes are smaller and sweeter. They give a unique flavor that is hard to match. If you use regular limes, the taste will be sharper. You might want to add a little sugar to balance it. The bars are done when they look set. The center should still wiggle a bit, but the edges should be firm. A good test is to gently shake the pan. If the middle jiggles slightly, it’s time to take them out. You can use coconut milk and sugar as a substitute. Mix one cup of coconut milk with 1/3 cup of sugar. Heat it gently until the sugar dissolves. This mix will give a sweet flavor, though it may change the texture slightly. Absolutely! These bars are great when made ahead of time. You can bake them a day before your event. Just store them in the fridge. Let them chill for at least two hours before serving. To cut the bars cleanly, use a sharp knife. Dip the knife in hot water before each cut. Wipe it dry after each slice. This will help you get neat edges. Enjoy the perfect presentation! This blog post covered everything you need for perfect Key Lime Pie Bars. We explored key ingredients, from the crust to the filling and toppings. I shared step-by-step instructions for making and serving these bars. You also learned tips to avoid mistakes and how to store your treats. Finally, I suggested fun variations to keep it fresh. Enjoy making these bars, and don’t hesitate to experiment. Your tasty treats will impress everyone!

Tropical Key Lime Pie Bars

Delicious and refreshing key lime pie bars with a tropical twist.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 quarter cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 half cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 third cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 half cup fresh key lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 pieces zest of key limes
  • 1 serving whipped cream (for topping)
  • 1 serving thin lime slices (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, unsweetened coconut flakes, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until well blended and the crumbs are moistened.
  • Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
  • In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, vanilla extract, and lime zest until smooth.
  • Pour the lime filling over the crust, spreading it evenly.
  • Bake in the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
  • Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm them up.
  • Once chilled, lift the bars out of the dish using the parchment overhang and cut into squares.
  • Serve each bar topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a thin slice of lime for garnish.

Notes

Chill the bars for at least 2 hours for best texture.
Keyword bars, dessert, key lime, tropical