GF KEY LIME BARS WITH KEY LIME JUICE

For summer, one of my easiest desserts to make are GF Key Lime Bars With Key Lime Juice. Citrus lovers will go crazy for these luscious gf key lime bars with key lime juice. These bars are a square shaped version of regular key lime pie. With a buttery graham cracker crust, thick and tart lime filling and topped with delicate whipped cream.

GF KEY LIME BARS WITH KEY LIME JUICE ARE QUICK AND EASY TO MAKE

When the heat hits, no one wants to be slaving away in the kitchen on a hot summer day. These taste like a million bucks. They really do. These bars have so much flavor, and are creamy and smooth with just the right amount of key lime flavor. These bars are super similar to a key lime pie. And the best part is that they’re so easy to make. The graham cracker crust goes so well the creamy tart filling. Viola- yummy and delicious key lime bars.

There is something about the summer time that makes me crave desserts that are tangy. Traditionally, key lime pie is a Southern tradition. Not all of us can live in the South, but it doesn’t mean we cannot enjoy these super easy key lime bars.

My crust is rich and buttery and has a slight hint of cinnamon to it. Put everything together and you have some mouth watering gluten-free key lime bars with key lime juice.

WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KEY LIMES AND REGULAR LIMES?

For starters, key limes are smaller than regular limes and have a much brighter green exterior. Secondly, they are a bit sweeter and tart compared to regular limes. Thirdly, key limes contain more seeds and the key lime skin is thin and tends to be on the yellow side.

In addition, key limes can be rather pricey compared to a regular lime, and can really end up costing twice as much in some instances. They also have a stronger aromatic flavor than regular limes. In my area, key limes are not easily found. So, the next best thing is to use key lime juice. A great company that I recommend for the key lime juice is Nellie and Joe’s.

Can I use regular limes instead? Absolutely. My first choice would be key lime as it does truly have a different taste. However, I do recommend not using limes from a bottle as it is just a little too tart. My preference is to use Key Lime juice which is readily available in most grocery stores and the zest from fresh limes.

IS WHIPPED CREAM NECESSARY FOR THIS RECIPE?

Yes, I think so. Whipped cream cuts down on the tartness of the key lime flavor and balances out the flavor profile. My gf key lime bars with key lime juice are topped with freshly made home-made whipped cream. The whipped cream adds a slightly sweet delicate balance to these tart bars.

You’ll love the refreshing lime flavor of these bars. If you’re looking for a delicious summer treat-then these bars are for you. A few of my other summer favorite desserts are my Strawberry No Churn Ice Cream, Blueberry Cobbler and my Strawberry Galette with jam.

The hardest part of the whole process was waiting for it cool in the fridge. I have a hard time waiting too, but I can promise you that it’s totally worth the wait. I can guarantee you will want more than one bar.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED-

• 1/2 Stick Unsalted Butter, melted
• 1/2 Box Pamela’s GF Graham Crackers (7.5 ounces)
• 4 Tbsp Light Brown Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Fresh Lime Zest
• 3/4 Cup Key Lime Juice
• 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
• 7 Egg Yolks, room temperature
• 2 Cans 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk-not evaporated milk
• 1 Cup Heavy Cream
• 2 Tbsp Powdered Sugar
• 1 Tsp Vanilla
• Lime Zest for a garnish

INSTRUCTIONS NEEDED FOR GF KEY LIME BARS WITH KEY LIME JUICE-

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Spray an 8 x8 pan with butter non sticking spray and line with parchment paper.  Set aside.
• Using a food processor, combine the graham crackers, sugar and cinnamon together.  Add the melted butter and pulse till it finely ground.
• Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of the baking pan and baked for about 15-20 minutes.  I use the bottom of glass to press the graham cracker mixture down tightly.

• Remove from oven and leave the oven on.  Set aside to cool completely.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with a hand mixer for about two minutes.  
• Add the condensed milk and whisk for another two minutes.
• Add the lime zest.
• With the hand mixer running on low, add the lime juice and let the mixer run an additional 2 minutes.
• The mixture should be slightly thick when done.

• Pour the mixture into the crust and bake at 325 for about 25-35 minutes until slightly jiggly but center is set.
• Cool completely on rack.
• Filling will set as it cools.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours-
• To make the topping:
• In a medium bowl with an electric hand mixer, beat heavy cream, sugar and vanilla on medium high speed until stiff peaks form.  Spread whipped cream evenly over cooled bars.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours but I do think letting it sit overnight is best.

TIPS FOR THE BEST GF KEY LIME BARS WITH KEY LIME JUICE

• When lining the pan with parchment paper, make sure you leave enough parchment paper on two sides of the square cake pan as handles so that when you are ready to cut, you can lift the entire batch out easily.
• Using an extremely sharp knife will help when slicing.  I also wipe my knife on a paper towel between every cut.
• Bars will keep in fridge for about 3 days but they do need to be refrigerated and covered.
• You can most definitely store the whipped cream on top-but if you want to serve them later, you can leave off the whipped cream until a couple of hours before you plan to serve them.

GF KEY LIME BARS WITH KEY LIME JUICE

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★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

For summer, one of my easiest desserts to make are GF Key Lime Bars With Key Lime Juice. Citrus lovers will go crazy for these luscious gf key lime bars with key lime juice. These bars are a square shaped version of regular key lime pie. With a buttery graham cracker crust, thick and tart lime filling and topped with delicate whipped cream.

• Author: Allie
• Prep Time: 20 Minutes
• Cook Time: 30 Minutes
• Total Time: 50 Minutes
• Yield: 9 1x
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Bake
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1/2 Stick Unsalted Butter, melted
• 1/2 Box Pamela’s GF Graham Crackers( 7.5 ounces)
• 4 Tbsp Light Brown Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Fresh Lime Zest
• 3/4 Cup Key Lime Juice
• 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
• 7 Egg Yolks, room temperature
• 2 Cans 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk-not evaporated milk
• 1 Cup Heavy Cream
• 2 Tbsp Powdered Sugar
• 1 Tsp Vanilla
• Lime Zest for a garnish

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Spray an 8 x8 pan with butter non sticking spray and line with parchment paper.  Set aside.
• Using a food processor, combine the graham crackers, brown sugar and cinnamon together.  Add the melted butter and pulse till it finely ground.
• Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of the baking pan and baked for about 15 minutes.  I use the bottom of glass to press the graham cracker mixture down tightly.
• Remove from oven and leave the oven on.  Set aside to cool completely.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with a hand mixer for about two minutes.  
• Add the condensed milk and whisk for another two minutes.
• Add the lime zest.
• With the hand mixer running on low, add the lime juice and let the mixer run an additional 2 minutes.
• The mixture should be slightly thick when done.
• Pour the mixture into the crust and bake for about 25-35 minutes until slightly jiggly but center is set.
• Cool completely on rack.
• Filling will set as it cools.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours-
• To make the topping:
• In a medium bowl with an electric hand mixer, beat heavy cream, sugar and vanilla on medium high speed until stiff peaks form.  Spread whipped cream evenly over cooled bars.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours but I do think letting it sit overnight is best.

Notes

• When lining the pan with parchment paper, make sure you leave enough parchment paper on two sides of the square cake pan as handles so that when you are ready to cut, you can lift the entire batch out easily.
• Using an extremely sharp knife will help when slicing.  I also wipe my knife on a paper towel between every cut.
• Bars will keep in fridge for about 3 days but they do need to be refrigerated and covered.
• You can most definitely store the whipped cream on top-but if you want to serve them later, you can leave off the whipped cream until a couple of hours before you plan to serve them.

Keywords: GF KEYLIME BARS WITH KEY LIME JUICE, GLUTEN-FREE, SUMMER, DESSERTS, KEY LIME, TART

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Key Lime Juice

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