Pretzel Crusted Key Lime Bars are the perfect balance of salty and sweet. The key lime filling is tart, creamy, and smooth and combined with the crunch of the pretzel crust they are delicious!
I can’t make anything citrus related at my house. If you’ve been following along with me for any length of time, you know that I am the only one in my house that eats lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit etc flavored baked goods. It makes no sense to me, because everyone eats fresh oranges, and they all consume plenty of sour/citrus candy.
But for some reason, a lemon bar grosses them out.
I would try to understand, but it’s too annoying.
But really, now that I think about it….I am THEM in reverse! I really don’t like lemon/lime/sour candies at all, and I pretty much never eat an orange…but give me ALL the KEY LIME PIE CAKE!
It’s all a mystery.
I originally posted this recipe WAY back in 2011, and honestly I forgot about it, until a reader mentioned it over in my facebook group (are you part of my group yet??)
When I clicked over to the original post…which is mega cringey…I knew they needed a facelift. Both the pictures and the written recipe.
I didn’t make too many changes to the heart of the recipe (it was pretty fantastic), I just made it a little clearer to read, and included a printable recipe card fo you here. Oh, and I left off the white chocolate drizzle. Those were back in my drizzling days, where I seemed to think everything needed extra chocolate!
Anyhow, these bars are still some of my favorites, and I am happy to bring them to you in 2018!
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Pretzel Crusted Key Lime Bars
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 14 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Pretzel Crusted Key Lime Bars are the perfect balance of salty and sweet. The key lime filling is tart, creamy, and smooth and combined with the crunch of the pretzel crust they are delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cups pretzel finely crushed pretzels (2 1/2 – 3 cups of whole pretzels)
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 (14- ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup key lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 pan with foil and coat lightly with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a food processor or blender pulverize the pretzels until they are a fine crumb. (You don’t want dust, but you don’t want chunks or it won’t stay together)
- In a large bowl stir together your pretzel crumbs, butter, salt, and sugar.
- Press the mixture firmly into your prepared pan and slightly up the sides. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden. Let the crust cool while you prepare the filling.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the yolks, sweetened condensed milk and lime juice.
- Pour the mixture into the warm crust.
- Bake for 12-15minutes, or until just set.
- Allow the bars to cool until room temperature, and then cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours, or overnight.
Notes
Store airtight, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bar
- Calories: 96
- Sugar: 5.1 g
- Sodium: 185.7 mg
- Fat: 7.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 5.1 g
- Protein: 1.6 g
- Cholesterol: 58.2 mg
Can this recipe be doubled for a 9×13” pan? Would the baking time change? Assuming it will require more time.
It can be increased by 50% for a 9×13!
Any idea if these freeze well? I would guess yes but thought it worth asking in case anyone has tried it.
Yes they will freeze great, airtight for up to a month!
Where do you get key lime juice? Surely you don’t squeeze key limes do you? Thank you
hey sell key lime juice at most supermarkets! It should be right next to the regular lime juice, or down the baking aisle!
Just moved into new home & will be taking these to our first block party Saturday evening. LOVE citrus!
Awesome! Hope you love them!
Just made these. Will chill overnight for our Mother’s Day celebration. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Me again – made these again this morn and tinted the filling a light green. Can’t stop eating them they are delish. Thank you for sharing such an easy and awesome tasting recipe!! These will be made again!
love hearing this! so glad you liked them!
Anything with a pretzel crust is bound to be amazing! Can’t wait to try this one!
Saw the recipe yesterday and made them………..OMG they are delish!! and will be making them again for Mother’s Day. Thank you! Thank you!! EZ and delish!!
I have a friend who refuses to eat any “citrus desserts” as well. I don’t get hating all citrus if it’s in dessert form. This sounds amazing! 🙂
My trick with key lime pie has always been a mix of pretzels and graham crackers, ground up, for the crust. Using only or the other – it’s just missing a little something – but both satisfies the sweet and salty. I love the idea of doing it as a bar. Throw a little lime zest in the batter for some extra zing!
great idea!