Key Lime Bars with Animal Cracker Crust
Indulge in the zesty goodness of Key Lime Bars with Animal Cracker Crust, a refreshing twist on a classic dessert. Featuring a sweet yet slightly salty crust made from crushed animal crackers, this treat is the perfect balance of texture and flavor. The creamy, tangy key lime filling is made with real key lime juice, zest, and velvety condensed milk, all baked to perfection for a luscious, custard-like consistency. Topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of lime zest, these bars are a show-stopping dessert for any occasion. With just 20 minutes of prep time, they're surprisingly easy to make and certain to delight your taste buds. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or whenever you crave a bright, citrusy dessert!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups (crushed) Animal crackers
- 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons Unsalted butter, melted
- 14 ounces Sweetened condensed milk
- 0.75 cup Key lime juice
- 1 tablespoon Key lime zest
- 4 large Egg yolks
- 1 cup Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
- 1 as needed Lime slices or zest (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to make the bars easier to remove.
In a food processor, pulse the animal crackers until they are finely ground into crumbs. Alternatively, you can place them in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
Transfer the crumbs to a bowl and stir in the granulated sugar. Add the melted butter, mixing until the crumbs are evenly coated and hold together when pressed.
Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Let it cool while preparing the filling.
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks until slightly thickened. Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix until smooth.
Stir in the key lime juice and key lime zest, mixing until fully combined. The filling will begin to thicken slightly as you stir.
Pour the filling over the cooled crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are set, but the center still has a slight jiggle.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until fully chilled and set.
Once chilled, slice the bars into 12 equal pieces. Serve with whipped cream and garnish with lime slices or additional lime zest, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
348 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 19.2 g | 25% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.5 g | 57% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 116 mg | 39% | |
| Sodium | 106 mg | 5% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 39.5 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.3 g | 1% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.7 g | ||
| Protein | 5.3 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 118 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 0.4 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 162 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
