Key Lime Bars

These tasty little gems would look so pretty on your tray of Christmas goodies. Most people are in the thick of holiday baking with only a little over a week to Christmas.  Key lime squares are sweet and tart with a delicious shortbread crust.  Very much like a lemon bar but with a lovely green hue perfect for the holiday. 

I found this recipe in one of my oldies but goodies - The Junior League Centennial Cookbook.  You can find the link in the recipe below. 

Key Lime Bars

Recipe adapted from The Junior League Centennial Cookbook
~from Savoring Time in the Kitchen
Printable Recipe

Makes 12-24 bars, depending on how big you cut them

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, plus additional for sprinkling
8 tablespoons (1 stick) of butter, softened
2 eggs
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/3 cup Key Lime juice (or regular lime juice if you can't find Key Limes)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease an 8-inch square baking pan. In the bowl of a food processor, add 1 cup of flour and 1/4 cup of confectioners' sugar. Add the butter and pulse just until it forms a dough. Alternately, you can do this in a bowl with your hands or a pastry cutter. Do not overwork.

Pat the dough into firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat the eggs slightly. Stir in 1 cup of granulated sugar and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour and stir until blended. Add the lime juice. (This may also be done in a food processor). Pour onto the warm, baked crust and bake for 20-25 minutes. Place on a rack to cool.

Before slicing and serving, sprinkle the top with 2 tablespoons or more of sifted confectioners' sugar.