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Lime Bars Recipe

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4.4 from 71 reviews

  • Author: Amina
  • Total Time: 4 hours 13 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings

Description

Delicious and tangy lime bars featuring a buttery shortbread crust topped with a zesty lime filling, perfectly balanced with sweetness and lime flavor. These bars are easy to make and chilled to set, making them a refreshing dessert or snack all year round.

Ingredients

For the Crust

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided use
  • 2/3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 12 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (a stick and a half)

For the Lime Filling

  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons lime zest (about 3-4 limes)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup fresh lime juice
  • 8 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 6 drops green food coloring (optional)

For Garnish

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting on top)
  • Additional lime zest (optional, for sprinkling on top)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray it with nonstick baking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix dry crust ingredients: In a bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, sift together 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
  3. Add butter: Pour the melted unsalted butter into the dry ingredients and mix until the dough is well combined and forms a crumbly consistency.
  4. Form the crust: Transfer the dough into your prepared baking pan and press it down evenly with the bottom of a measuring cup to create a flat, thin layer.
  5. Bake the crust: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes until you see a light golden color around the edges. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  6. Prepare the lime filling: In a food processor or stand mixer, combine the granulated sugar and lime zest. Mix until the zest is fully incorporated into the sugar.
  7. Add remaining flour: Add the remaining 1/2 cup flour to the sugar and zest mixture and pulse or mix again to combine evenly.
  8. Combine liquid ingredients: Add fresh lime juice, room temperature eggs, and green food coloring (if using) to the mixture and blend until everything is completely combined into a smooth filling.
  9. Pour and bake the filling: Pour the lime filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, turning the pan once after 15 minutes to ensure even cooking. To check doneness, lightly jiggle the pan; if the center doesn’t jiggle, the bars are done. Avoid overbaking to keep the filling creamy.
  10. Cool and chill: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool at room temperature for about an hour. Then, refrigerate for at least two hours to let the filling set properly.
  11. Serve: Before serving, dust the top of the lime bars generously with powdered sugar. Optionally, sprinkle additional lime zest on top for an extra burst of citrus aroma and flavor.
  12. Enjoy: Cut into 16 bars and enjoy your refreshing and tangy lime bars!

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs to ensure the filling mixes evenly and cooks uniformly.
  • Press the crust dough firmly to avoid cracks in the bars after baking.
  • Do not overbake the filling; it should be just set with a slight jiggle in the center.
  • Chilling the bars thoroughly helps in clean slicing and enhances flavor.
  • Green food coloring is optional and mainly used for visual appeal.
  • For more intense lime flavor, consider adding a bit more zest or a splash of lime extract.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://aminabakes.com/lime-bars-recipe/