How to Make Key Lime Squares

These key lime squares are a tart alternative to the traditional lemon squares. They are pretty labor intensive but worth the work. Fresh key lime juice makes the recipe.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon grated lime rind
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon lemon extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Cooking spray
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup fresh key lime juice
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 8-inch square baking pan

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°

2. Put first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until creamy (about 2 minutes).

3. Lightly spoon 1 cup flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Gradually add 1 cup flour to butter mixture, beating at low speed until mixture resembles coarse meal.

4. Gently press two-thirds of mixture (about 1 1/3 cups) into bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray; set remaining 2/3 cup flour mixture aside.

5. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until just beginning to brown.

6. Combine 2/3 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, baking powder, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add lime juice and eggs, stirring with a whisk until smooth.

7. Pour mixture over crust. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes.

8. Remove pan from oven (do not turn oven off); sprinkle remaining 2/3 cup flour mixture evenly over egg mixture.

9. Bake an additional 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from oven; cool in pan on a wire rack.

10. Sprinkle evenly with powdered sugar.

11. Cut the squares and serve on a platter.

Tips & Warnings

• Use can use regular limes if you can't find key limes but it won't be as tart

• Fresh lime juice makes a big difference with this recipe

• This is very tart. If you don't like tart foods, then you may not like this dish.