Key-Lime Bars

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Yield:
16

This recipe is based on the famous Key-lime pie from Joe's Stone Crab restaurant in Miami Beach.

Ingredients

  • 5 ¾ ounces graham crackers (about one-third of a 1-pound box), ground to fine crumbs in a food processor (1 cup plus 2 ½ tablespoons)

  • cup sugar

  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 3 large egg yolks

  • 1 ½ teaspoons finely grated lime zest (about 2 limes)

  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

  • cup fresh Key-lime juice (about 20 Key limes)

  • ¼ cup heavy cream

  • 2 Key limes, thinly sliced into half-moons, for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together crumbs, sugar, and butter in a small bowl. Press evenly onto bottom of an 8-inch square glass pan. Bake until dry and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Leave oven on.

  2. Place egg yolks and zest in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on high speed until mixture is very thick, about 5 minutes. On medium speed, pour in condensed milk in a steady stream, scraping down sides of bowl. Beat on high speed until thick, about 3 minutes. On low speed, add lime juice; mix until just combined.

  3. Pour filling over crust; spread evenly. Bake until just set, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Chill at least 4 hours or overnight.

  4. Beat cream in a medium bowl until stiff peaks just form. Cut dessert into 1 1/2-by-2-inch rectangles. Garnish each with whipped cream and a slice of Key lime.

Cook's Notes

If you can't find Key limes, use regular fresh lime juice. The bars will keep, wrapped in plastic, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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