The Best Key Lime Bar (2024)

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By: Leigh Anne Wilkes

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

These key lime bars are amazing and they pack a powerful lime punch!

The Best Key Lime Bar (1)

The Best Key Lime Bars

I first made this bars recipe back in 2010 for a women’s event at church. We were doing a dessert bar and I got to experiment with lots of yummy bar cookies. As soon as I took my first bite of these I knew they were a winner.

When my husband took his first bite, the first word out of his mouth was , “Wow!” It was a good “Wow!” A “these are the best key lime bars” type of wow! I knew that I was going to have to share them with my neighbors quickly so I didn’t eat the entire 9 x 13 pan myself!!

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How to Make Key Lime Bars

The bars are made in 3 layers.

Crust

  • Combine the crust ingredients except for the pecans into a bowl
  • Beat at low speed until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs
  • Add in the pecans
  • Press mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9 x 13 pan
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until edges are slightly browned, don’t overcook..
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You just want them slightly brown around the edges. While they are hot add the next layer.

Filling

  • Combine all the filling ingredients into a bowl
  • Beat at low speed until well mixed
  • Pour filling over hot, partially baked crust
  • Bake for 18 more minutes or until set.
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Frosting

Cool bars completely.

  • Mix together powdered sugar, butter, lime peel and more key lime juice.
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  • Spread frosting over cooled bars.
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If you are a citrus fan you are going to love these pretty little key lime bars. You could also make them with lemon juice if you’d like. It would be amazing too. I purchase the key lime juice that comes in the bottle, the Nellie & Joe’s Key Lime Juice. It awesome and tastes just like fresh key limes.

I like to sprinkle some addition lime peel over the top before serving. I use my trusty microplanner for this! Just a nice light sprinkling to make the bars a little prettier.

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Check out more delicious key lime recipes:

  • Key Lime Cake
  • Key Lime Pie
  • Key Lime Ice Cream

For all of my other favorite kitchen products and tools visit my Amazon Store.

4.81 from 26 votes

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Key Lime Bars

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes

These key lime bars are amazing and they pack a powerful lime punch!

serves: 24 bars

Prep:20 minutes minutes

Cook:30 minutes minutes

0 minutes minutes

Total:50 minutes minutes

Rate Recipe

Ingredients

Crust:

  • cups all purpose flour
  • ¾ cup butter softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Filling:

  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 4 Tbsp flour
  • 5 Tbsp fresh key lime juice
  • ½ tsp baking powder

Frosting:

  • cups powdered sugar
  • Tbsp butter softened
  • 2-3 Tbsp fresh key lime juice
  • Freshly grated key lime peel

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F degrees

  • Combine the crust ingredients except for the pecans into a bowl

  • Beat at low speed until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs

  • Add in the pecans

  • Press mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9 x 13 pan

  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until edges are slightly browned

  • You don’t want to over cook it

  • Meanwhile, combine all filling ingredients into a bowl

  • Beat at low speed until well mixed

  • Pour filling over hot, partially baked crust

  • Continue baking for 18-20 minutes or until filling is set

  • Cool completely

  • Combine all the frosting ingredients except lime peel in a bowl

  • Spread over cooled bars

  • Garnish with grated lime peel

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 215kcal (11%) Carbohydrates: 34g (11%) Protein: 2g (4%) Fat: 8g (12%) Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) Cholesterol: 44mg (15%) Sodium: 68mg (3%) Potassium: 40mg (1%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 26g (29%) Vitamin A: 239IU (5%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 13mg (1%) Iron: 1mg (6%)

* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.

Course:Dessert

Cuisine:American

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  1. Susan Horn says

    I have made these key lime bars and they turn out perfectly every time. They are absolutely delicious!

    Reply

  2. Elizabeth says

    Absolutely delicious!

    Reply

  3. Madelyn Fulsang says

    I love these but why is their s question mark for crust for sugar and pecans ??!??

    Reply

    • Leigh Anne says

      Sorry about that – there was a technical glitch in the recipe plug in and it is fixed now. Enjoy!

      Reply

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