Key Lime Bars

Meet the Key Lime Bar.  It's a tropical twist on the classic lemon bar recipe that swaps out lemons for Itty Bitty Key Limes making it a tart treat that's hard to resist.  You better stand next to your significant other while devouring these because they'll have you puckering up in no time.  Key Lime Bars will be perfect for Summer potlucks or a treat for your family to enjoy after a yummy BBQ dinner.  They are sour, they are sweet, they are delish!

First, make your dough for the buttery crust.  Just three ingredients and BAM!  You're done.  

Who said making crust was hard??

Next, whisk together eggs, remaining flour, sugar and next 3 ingredients. 

The next step I took was actually ridiculous.  It took me a half hour to juice about 15 Itty Bitty key limes.  Not cool!

 For the love of Pete,  please don't make that mistake.  Save yourself some time and purchase a bottle of Key Lime juice ( I wasn't using my thinking cap on that one).  It's always out in the grocery stores this time of year.  Check the aisle where the lime juice or lemon juice is stashed.  

Sometimes it's on the end of the aisle where the mixed drinks are.  Ahem! Okay, so a gal likes to knock one back while baking.  Can you blame me? I just juiced a bunch of slippery little green things!

Poor the liquid mixture onto your cooled crust. Bake as directed and let cool completely.  It helps to actually refrigerate it for at least an hour to get really clean slices.  

Pucker up!  These are VERY tart.  Like sour patch kids or skittles tart.  Adding powdered sugar helps cut some of the tartness.  

Happy Baking!

Key Lime Bars
(originally recipe from Jan Moon, Coastal Living 
DECEMBER 2010)

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup Key lime juice
• Powdered sugar
• Garnish: lime zest

Preparation

1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Beat just until a smooth dough is formed. Press into a lightly greased, foil-lined 13- x 9-inch baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

2. Meanwhile, whisk together eggs, remaining 1/3 cup flour, 1 3/4 cups sugar, and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl; pour over baked crust. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until set. Let cool completely in pan; chill, if desired. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, and cut into bars. Garnish, if desired.