Tropical Key Lime Dream Bars with Animal Cracker Crust
Indulge in the perfect combination of sweet and tangy with these Tropical Key Lime Dream Bars! This refreshing dessert features a unique crust made from crushed animal crackers, perfectly balanced with a creamy filling infused with fresh lime juice and zesty lime zest. Topped with toasted coconut for an added crunch, these bars are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Serve chilled for a delightful treat that's both easy to make and absolutely irresistible!
N/A
Servings
137.5
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
animal crackers
5 ounces (crushed)
light brown sugar
3 tablespoons (packed)
table salt
1 pinch (none)
unsalted butter
4 tablespoons (melted and cooled slightly)
cream cheese
2 ounces (room temperature)
lime zest
1 tablespoon (grated and minced)
sweetened condensed milk
1 (14 ounce) can (none)
large egg yolk
1 (none)
fresh lime juice
1/2 cup (none)
sweetened coconut
3/4 cup (shredded and toasted until golden and crisp)
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C), placing the oven rack in the middle position.
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2. Prepare an 8-inch square baking pan by lining it with heavy-duty foil. Cut a 12-inch length of foil, fold the edges to create a 7.5-inch width, and fit it snugly into the pan, leaving some overhang for easy removal later. Spray the lined pan with nonstick cooking spray.
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3. In a food processor, pulse the animal crackers until finely crushed. You should have about 1.25 cups of crumbs. Combine the animal cracker crumbs with brown sugar and a pinch of salt and pulse briefly to mix. Drizzle in the melted butter and pulse until the mixture is evenly moistened.
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4. Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown. Allow it to cool on a wire rack while you prepare the filling, keeping the oven on.
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5. In a medium bowl, mix the room temperature cream cheese, lime zest, and another pinch of salt until smooth. Add the sweetened condensed milk and whisk until fully combined with no lumps. Incorporate the egg yolk and then gently whisk in the fresh lime juice until well blended; the mixture should thicken slightly.
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6. Pour the creamy filling evenly over the cooled crust, smoothing it out with a rubber spatula. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until set and the edges start to pull away from the pan. Let the bars cool at room temperature for 1 to 1.5 hours.
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7. Once cooled, cover the dish with foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until thoroughly chilled.
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8. To serve, use a paring knife to loosen the edges and lift the bars from the pan using the foil overhang. Cut into 16 equal squares and sprinkle with the toasted coconut. Allow bars to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for best texture. Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Nutrition Information
8g
Fat
15.5g
Carbs
1.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Tropical Key Lime Dream Bars?
They are a refreshing dessert featuring an animal cracker crust, a creamy lime filling, and a toasted coconut topping.
What is the base of the crust made from?
The crust is made from 5 ounces of crushed animal crackers.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
The recipe makes 16 equal square bars.
What size baking pan is required?
An 8-inch square baking pan is recommended for this recipe.
How should I prepare the baking pan for easy removal?
Line the pan with a 12-inch length of heavy-duty foil, leaving an overhang, and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
What is the oven temperature for baking the bars?
The oven should be preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius).
How many cups of animal cracker crumbs are needed?
You should have approximately 1.25 cups of finely crushed crumbs.
What kind of sugar is used in the crust?
The crust uses 3 tablespoons of packed light brown sugar.
How long do you bake the animal cracker crust?
The crust should be baked for 18 to 20 minutes until it is deep golden brown.
What ingredients are in the bar filling?
The filling contains cream cheese, lime zest, salt, sweetened condensed milk, egg yolk, and fresh lime juice.
Should the cream cheese be at a specific temperature?
Yes, the cream cheese should be at room temperature to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling.
How much lime zest is required?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of grated and minced lime zest.
Can I use bottled lime juice?
The recipe recommends 1/2 cup of fresh lime juice for the best tropical flavor.
How does the lime juice affect the filling?
When whisked in, the fresh lime juice helps the mixture thicken slightly.
How long do the bars bake once the filling is added?
The bars bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
How do I know when the bars are finished baking?
They are done when the filling is set and the edges begin to pull away from the pan.
How long should the bars cool at room temperature?
The bars need to cool at room temperature for 1 to 1.5 hours.
How long must the bars be refrigerated?
The bars should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours or until thoroughly chilled.
What is the best way to remove the bars from the pan?
Use a paring knife to loosen the edges and then lift the bars out using the foil overhang.
What topping is added to the bars?
The bars are sprinkled with 3/4 cup of shredded coconut that has been toasted until golden and crisp.
Should the bars be served cold?
For the best texture, allow the bars to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.
How many calories are in one Key Lime Dream Bar?
Each bar contains approximately 137.5 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 8 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each bar?
There are 15.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in each bar?
Each bar provides about 1.5 grams of protein.
How should leftovers be stored?
Leftover bars should be kept refrigerated.
How long do the bars stay fresh?
The bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 10 ingredients used in this recipe.
What type of butter is used for the crust?
The recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter.
What is the size of the sweetened condensed milk can needed?
You will need one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk.