Dessert

Lime Bars Recipe

Bylina moretti February 9, 2026February 9, 2026

Introduction

These zesty lime bars are a delightful balance of tangy and sweet, perfect for a refreshing dessert. With a buttery crust and a smooth lime filling, they are easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. Serve chilled for the best flavor and texture.

The image shows a stack of three lime bars on a white marbled surface, each bar having three layers: a light golden crust base, a bright green lime filling in the middle, and a dusting of powdered sugar on top, giving a slightly rough texture. The stack is placed near several other lime bars lying flat on the surface in the background. In the foreground, there are two lime wedges with their light green, juicy interiors visible. An off-white-handled strainer with powdered sugar rests on the surface near the stack, and a soft green cloth and a white bowl filled with whole limes are blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup powdered sugar
¼ tsp salt
½ cup butter (cut into 8 pieces)
1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
2 tsp lime zest
⅔ cup fresh lime juice
Drop of green (+ yellow) food coloring (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line an 11×7-inch baking dish with parchment paper, making sure the paper overhangs by about 2 inches on both sides for easy lifting.
Step 2: To make the crust, combine the 1 cup flour, powdered sugar, salt, and butter pieces in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Press this evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown.
Step 3: While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. In a bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ¼ cup flour. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition to ensure a smooth mixture. Stir in the lime zest, fresh lime juice, and the optional drops of green and yellow food coloring until fully combined.
Step 4: Pour the lime filling over the hot crust and return the pan to the oven. Bake for another 18 to 20 minutes until the filling is set and no longer jiggles when the pan is gently shaken.
Step 5: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour. Then refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours before serving. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan easily. Dust with powdered sugar if desired, then cut into squares and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Use fresh lime juice for the brightest flavor; bottled juice can be substituted but may affect the tartness.
For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.
Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling for a subtle spicy kick.
Dusting the bars with powdered sugar just before serving adds a nice touch of sweetness and presentation.

Storage

Store lime bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can be enjoyed cold or brought to room temperature before serving. Reheat gently in the oven if you prefer them warm, but chilling is recommended to maintain the filling’s texture.

How to Serve

A stack of three square lime bars sits in the center, each bar having three visible layers: a thin pale beige crust at the bottom, a thicker bright lime green filling in the middle, and a dusting of white powdered sugar on top. The bars have a soft, smooth texture and slightly crumbly edges. Behind them, more bars lie flat in rows on a white cutting board on a white marbled surface. Nearby, two fresh lime wedges rest at the bottom left and a blurred white bowl filled with whole green limes is visible in the background, along with a loosely folded light green cloth. A gray spatula peeks out from under the cutting board’s right edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these lime bars ahead of time?

Yes, these bars can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. In fact, chilling them overnight helps the filling set firmly.

What can I use instead of food coloring?

Food coloring is optional and used only to give the bars a vibrant hue. If you prefer, you can skip it entirely as the lime juice will provide natural color.