Creamy Lime Bars – #FilltheCookieJar

I’ve missed the last few #FillTheCookieJar reveals, so I’m happy to be able to participate this month. The theme of this month’s Fill the Cookie Jar group is SUMMER! There’s so many possibilities with this theme that I had a hard time narrowing down a recipe. I started searching for something with limes since I had bought a two-pound bag to make margarita base, but then found this recipe for Creamy Lime Bars. Perfect!

I made the bars for my office’s “Grill & Fill”. It’s a little picnic to kick off the summer season and we get propane tanks filled for a great price. Just one of the perks of my new job! Everyone loved them and I had to steal one to save for my husband to be a taste-taster. They were creamy, the perfect amount of sweetness with the vanilla wafer crust and full of lime flavor. They almost reminded me of a margarita. I’ll definitely be making them again!

20 vanilla wafers, finely crushed
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 stick unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes.
8 oz low-fat cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp flour
3 Tbsp grated lime zest, divided
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp baking powder

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 8 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang to make handles. Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Combine the crushed vanilla wafers, 1/2 cup flour and brown sugar. Using a pastry knife, cut in the cold butter until the mixtures resembles coarse crumbs. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.

While the crust is baking, cream together the cream cheese and sugar with a hand mixer until well blended. Add in the eggs one a time, then the vanilla, flour and baking powder. Stir in 1 tablespoon of zest and the lime juice. Pour this mixture over the crust.

Return to the oven and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, overnight is better. When ready to serve, remove from the pan and cut into squares. Spring the remaining lime zest over the bars. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Source: Our Best Bites

Be sure to check out all the other “Summer” Fill the Cookie Jar recipes in the link below!