Zesty Lime Citrus Bars (Printable)

Bright tangy lime bars with smooth citrus filling over buttery shortbread crust. Perfect sweet-tart balance.

# What You'll Need:

→ Shortbread Crust

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
04 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Lime Citrus Filling

05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
07 - 1/4 tsp baking powder
08 - 3 large eggs
09 - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 4-5 limes)
10 - 1 tbsp finely grated lime zest
11 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 lemon)

→ Topping

12 - Powdered sugar, for dusting

# How-to Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - Combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cut in diced butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
03 - Bake crust for 15-18 minutes until just golden at the edges. Let cool slightly.
04 - Whisk together granulated sugar, flour, and baking powder. Add eggs, lime juice, lemon juice, and lime zest. Whisk until smooth.
05 - Pour filling over the baked crust. Bake for 18-20 minutes until set and slightly golden at the edges; the center should not jiggle.
06 - Cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing.
07 - Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Cut into bars.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • The buttery crust crumbles just right against the silky smooth filling
  • They somehow taste even better on the second or third day
  • The lime and lemon combo creates this crazy brightness that makes people pause
02 -
  • The filling might look underbaked when you pull it out but it keeps cooking and firms up as it cools
  • Room temperature eggs whisk into the filling so much more smoothly than cold ones
  • These really do need that full hour in the fridge to set properly or they will be a mess to slice
03 -
  • A pinch of sea salt in the filling makes all the flavors pop
  • Run your knife under hot water and wipe it clean between cuts for picture perfect squares

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