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Zesty Lime Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 74 reviews

These Zesty Lime Bars feature a crisp buttery crust topped with a tangy and refreshing lime filling, perfect for a bright and delicious dessert that balances sweetness and citrus zest. Easy to prepare and ideal for a summer treat or any occasion where a vibrant, citrusy baked good is appreciated.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the Lime Filling:

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup fresh lime juice (from about 3–4 limes)
  • 2 tablespoons lime zest (from about 2–3 limes), plus more for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch square baking pan or a rectangular tart pan of similar size to ensure the bars don’t stick.
  2. Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces and cut them into the flour mixture using your fingertips or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
  3. Blind Bake for a Flawless Foundation: To prevent a soggy crust, line the pressed dough with parchment paper leaving some overhang and fill it with pie weights or dried beans (about 1.5-2 cups). Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the weights and parchment, then bake the crust for another 8-10 minutes until it is lightly golden and dry. This step ensures a sturdy base that won’t get soggy from the filling.
  4. Prepare the Lime Filling: While the crust bakes, whisk the eggs and granulated sugar in a bowl until combined and slightly frothy. Gently stir in the fresh lime juice and lime zest, taking care not to overmix.
  5. Bake the Bars: Pour the lime filling evenly over the hot pre-baked crust. Return the pan carefully to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The center should be just set with a slight wobble, and the edges of the filling should look firm when done.
  6. Cool and Chill: Remove the lime bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled to room temperature, refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours. Chilling is essential to achieve clean slices and the perfect set texture.
  7. Slice and Serve: When fully chilled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into squares or rectangles and garnish with additional fresh lime zest if desired. Enjoy the zesty and crisp-crusted lime bars!

Notes

  • Blind baking the crust is crucial to prevent sogginess from the filling’s moisture.
  • Use fresh lime juice and zest for the best bright citrus flavor.
  • Chilling the bars before slicing helps maintain clean edges and ideal texture.
  • Pie weights or dried beans can be reused for future blind baking tasks.
  • This recipe works well with a tart pan as an alternative to the square baking pan.

Keywords: lime bars,lime dessert,citrus bars,baked lime bars,summer dessert,zesty lime bars,quick dessert

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