Cool & Creamy Lime Bars

Prep: 15 min, Cook 25 min
Yields 16 square bars

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs (12 large rectangles)
• 2 tablespoons ground pecans or pistachios
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 egg yolks, room temperature
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 4 teaspoons lime zest (about 2-3 limes)
• ½ cup lime juice
• Optional:  Whipped Cream for topping

Directions

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray an 8×8 square baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper, set aside.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, ground nuts, sugar, and cinnamon. Add the melted butter and mix to combine. Make sure all the crumbs are moistened. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the baking pan and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, but leave the oven on.
3. In the mixing bowl whisk the yolks for 2 minutes. Add the condensed milk and continue to whisk for another 2 minutes. Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides, add the lime zest. Drizzle in the lime juice on low speed, let the mixer run for 2 minutes once added. The pie mixture will be slightly thicker when done. Pour the filling into the crust and bake for 15-17 minutes. The filling will finish setting when the bars cool.
4. Cool completely on a wire rack. Filling will set as it cools. Refrigerate for at minimum of 2 hours, and ideally overnight. Slice and serve chilled. Garnish with lime slices, chopped nuts, or whipped cream if desired.