Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Key Lime Bars

  These bars use animal crackers for the crust, how delicious is that?  This would make a great cheesecake crust, too.  These bars remind me of cheesecake, only in bar form.  Key lime makes the perfect summer dessert.  I must admit to using bottled key lime juice, which I love, instead of juicing limes.  I did zest a regular lime for the zest.  Topped with toasted coconut these make a beautiful dessert for a summer picnic or barbeque.






Key Lime Bars
Recipe Courtesy of Mel's Kitchen
Yield: Makes 16 bars
Ingredients
    Crust:
  • 5 ounces animal crackers (about 2 1/2 cups animal crackers)
  • 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Filling:
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh lime zest (from about 2 limes)
  • 1 can (14-ounce) sweetened condensed milk
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (from about 3-4 regular limes or 20 Key limes)
  • Garnish
  • 3/4 cup shredded coconut, toasted (optional)
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F, adjusting an oven rack to the middle position. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, letting two opposing edges hang over at least an inch or so. Grease the foil with cooking spray.
  2. For the crust, process the animal crackers, sugar and salt together to fine crumbs in a blender or food processor. Drizzle the melted butter over the crumbs and pulse to incorporate (or stir together in a bowl with a fork). Sprinkle the mixture into the prepared pan and press the crumbs into an even layer. Bake the crust until fragrant and golden, about 15-18 minutes.
  3. For the filling, while crust bakes, in a medium bowl, stir the cream cheese, lime zest and salt together until combined. Whisk in the sweetened condensed milk until smooth (you can use a handheld electric mixer, if you want). Whisk in the egg yolk and lime juice until combined.
  4. Pour the filling evenly over the crust. Bake the bars until the filling is set and the edges just slightly begin to pull away from the sides of the pan, 15-17 minutes.
  5. Let the bars cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack, about 2 hours. Then cover the pan with foil and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours. Remove the bars from the pan using the foil overhang and cut into squares. Sprinkle with toasted coconut if desired.

2 comments:

  1. This sounds great, might just whip it up this weekend-thanks:@)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Julie, you must remember I have a huge weakness for key limes anything. Your key lime bars are going on my shopping list. I haven't bought animal crackers for quite some time!

    It's so nice to hear from you. I've had a few problems with changing from blogger to wordpress and tried to comment on your last post to no avail. I'm all fixed up again and will be back.

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