These Key Lime Shortbread Bars offer a delightful balance of a buttery, crumbly shortbread crust and a tangy, sweet key lime filling. The bright citrus flavor shines through in every bite, making them a perfect refreshing dessert. The dusting of powdered sugar and extra lime zest adds a beautiful finishing touch.
Ingredients:
For the topping:
Instructions:
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- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350˚F (175°C). Line an 8”x8” baking dish with parchment paper, allowing the paper to extend up the sides by about 1/2 inch. This will make it easier to lift the bars out later.
- Make the shortbread crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the room temperature salted butter, all-purpose flour, and powdered sugar. Mix with a fork or pastry blender until a crumbly dough forms.
- Press crust into pan: Press the crumbly dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared 8”x8” baking dish, also pressing it about 1/2 inch up the sides of the pan to create a slight edge.
- Bake the crust: Bake the shortbread crust in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until it appears slightly golden.
- Prepare the key lime filling: While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs until they are foamy. Add the strained lime juice, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt. Mix until there are no lumps remaining and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the key lime zest.
- Pour filling into warm crust: Once the shortbread crust is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the key lime filling evenly into the warm crust.
- Bake the bars: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for another 25-28 minutes, or until the center of the filling is no longer jiggly when the pan is gently shaken.
- Chill to set: Remove the baked Key Lime Shortbread Bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature. Then, transfer the baking dish to the refrigerator and let the bars set for at least 1 hour before cutting. This chilling time is crucial for the filling to firm up properly.
- Garnish and serve: Once the bars are fully chilled and set, lift them out of the baking dish using the parchment paper overhang. Dust the top with powdered sugar and sprinkle with extra lime zest, if desired, for garnish. Cut the bars into 16-25 squares to serve. Enjoy the tart and sweet flavors of these delightful Key Lime Shortbread Bars!
