Lime Crme Brle Bars Recipe

• Difficulty: Easy
• Yields: 16 bars
• Nutritional Information (per serving, 1 of 16): Calories 184, Total Fat 8 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Carbohydrates 25 g, Dietary Fiber 0 g, Sugar 19 g, Protein 3 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Sodium 66 mg
• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (including chilling)
• Active Time: 20 minutes

Crust:

• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated lime zest
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Filling:

• 1 large egg plus 3 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon lime zest plus 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

Topping:

• 2 to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, for sprinkling
• 4 thin lime slices, each cut into quarters

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350F and line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, leaving a 1-inch overhang on all sides for easy removal.
2. Make the crust: In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat softened butter, sugar, and lime zest on high until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides, add flour and salt, then mix on low until it forms loose crumbs. Press evenly into the prepared pan and bake 15-18 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely on a wire rack.
3. Prepare the filling: Whisk egg, yolks, lime zest, lime juice, and condensed milk in a bowl until smooth and silky. Pour over cooled crust and bake 18-20 minutes until set. Cool on rack, then chill in fridge at least 3 hours until firm.
4. Add the topping: Preheat broiler. Lift bars from pan using foil overhang, trim edges if needed, and cut into 16 squares on a foil-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle sugar evenly over tops and broil 1-2 minutes until caramelized and bubbly. Cool slightly, garnish with lime quarters, and enjoy these zesty, creamy treats!