Sweet and tart key lime bars on a crumbled sugar cookie crust – these Key Lime Meltaways literally melt in your mouth…and are sure to leave you wanting more!
I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone who loves key lime as much as I do. And not just because it’s the perfect sweet-tart combination, or because it’s most often eaten in the form of a pie, but because, for me, it brings back instant memories of my honeymoon. It’s hard to believe my honeymoon was nearly 9 years ago now….in some ways, it feels just like yesterday! I remember so much of it – riding bikes around Sanibel Island, lying on the beach for an entire afternoon, eating endless baskets of crab legs, playing cards late at night by the pool, collecting seashells at Captiva beach……
…..and sampling the key lime pie at every restaurant we could! We both discovered a love for it early on and decided we would try all the different variations that Sanibel & Captiva Islands had to offer. Needless to say, between the baskets of crab legs dipped in melted butter, the pina coladas and strawberry daquiris, and the countless pieces of key lime pie, we were both completely stuffed by the end of our trip! Completely stuffed and completely ready to get back and start our lives together.
There are so many things in life that feel like they fly by and leave you wanting more. And you know what? My honeymoon wasn’t one of them! That sounds bad….I know. Don’t get me wrong – I loved every minute of it! And I would go back and do it all over in a heartbeat! But. At the beginning of our honeymoon I made a conscious decision to NOT let it fly by. I decided I would pay attention to the moments….and I hoped they would somehow last longer if I did.
And so, as we were riding our bikes around the island, I was taking a mental snapshot of the palm trees and stopping to feel the wind blow through my hair. As we were lying on the beach, I was smelling the salty air and committing to memory the feeling of the Florida sun on my back. And as we were enjoying our 18th piece of key lime pie (only a slight exaggeration) I was looking at the man across from me and realizing that I didn’t need anything more – I already had enough! Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about these Key Lime Meltaways. These sweet little bars leave you wanting more, each and every time. I guess some things are just like that.
{No Bake} Key Lime Meltaways
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 c. prepared sugar cookies crumbled
- 2/3 c. unsalted butter softened (not melted)
- 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
- 3 Tbsp. key lime juice
- zest of 2 key limes
- 3-4 key limes sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine cookie crumbs and 1/3 c. butter in a medium bowl. Press onto bottom of an 9-inch square pan. Refrigerate until firm.
- Combine powdered sugar, 1/3 c. butter, key lime juice, and key lime zest in a small bowl. Beat at medium-high speed until light and smooth. Spread over crust.
- Score bars to desired size (approx. 1 1/2 inch squares) and top each square with a key lime slice.
- Cover bars and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Store in refrigerator. Remove lime slice before eating.
- (*Recipe adapted from The Cookie Cookbook: Citrus Cream Bars)
If you like these, be sure to check out some of my other delicious bar recipes!
Kara @ Petals to Picots Crochet says
These look awesome!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks, Kara!!
Amallia Eka Widyastuti says
I love your key lime bars..I’ll try it, your mint oreo meltaways looks appetizing.
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks, Amalia! The Mint Oreo Meltaways were a huge hit, too….I hope you will try one or both!
Eric Pepple says
I love anything key lime…I actually just had a key lime chobani flip for lunch (which are delicious). These sound awesome!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Much Ado About Somethin says
These look fantastic!!
Julie says
These just look so SO good, Cathy! I could easily make them dairy free by subbing the butter with dairy free sticks! Pinning this and sharing on Facebook later! Have a great 4th!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks
vanita says
it’s so pretty and yet it’s no bake! can’t wait to try it this weekend. thanks so much!
Betty Daniels says
These look SO good. Can’t wait to try them. ☺
oopsiemaizie says
yum! we love key lime over here… happy 4th to you and your family!!!
Jessica @ Barefoot by the Sea says
They look amazing and not too tricky (love that)! Also love the sweet honeymoon story you shared, and what a fabulous way to kickoff the start of your lives together!
Andi G. says
What a beautiful post, Cathy! These key lime bars look delicious, and my husband would especially love them. Pinned!
Jenn says
mmm . . . I LOVE key lime desserts.
aka Bailey says
Oh my gosh these look insanely delicious. Beautiful pictures!!
xox
Bailey
http://akabailey.blogspot.com
Tracey Harrelson says
Oh, these key lime bars look beautiful and delicious! Stopping by your blog for the 1st time today … found you through the Google+ Blog Hop. Thank you for sharing this recipe and for co-hosting the hop!
Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground
Lorraine @ Cookin For the Seven Dwarfs says
Wow…I may need to make these SOON! My mouth started watering when I saw this picture! YUM!
Shamene Medeiros says
These key lime bars look so good! pinning and following you now! visiting from craft o maniac link party
~shamene
shamenesayitwithcake.blogspot.com
Brooke says
I have a whole bag of key limes in my fridge. I know exactly what to do with them now. Can’t wait to try it! Thanks so much for sharing. Happy Monday to you!
Julie Corbisiero says
Hi this recipe looks so good. I saw it on manic monday.
Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com
Sarah Vanderkooy says
These look amazing, and refreshing! Thanks for sharing.
Sarah
http://www.creativeramblingsblog.com
Lizbeth McGow says
These are not just pretty but delicious, soooo much better than the dried out meltaways that I buy, lol! Thanks for creating this deliciousness! Pining of course to my good eats board,
Lizy@http://justdipitinchocolate.blogspot.com/
{Steph} says
Yummy!! Pinning these too!
~Steph @ Silver Boxes
Joanne DiPalo says
I just came from Cynthia’s party at In and Out of the Kitchen. These looks so deliciously awesome, I definitely will make them. I’m sharing this on my FB page tomorrow.
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe,
Joanne/WineLady Cooks
Leeann Eagle says
Gonna have to try this. Key Lime Pie is my all time fav dessert!!
Leeann / Little Once Boutique
Cathy Trochelman says
Mine too! It’s so refreshing! I hope you give these a try 🙂
Kathy Penney says
These look delicious! I love Key Lime and I love no bake even more. 🙂 Pinned it! Stopping by from Jam Hands.
Cathy Trochelman says
Amen to that! Thank you for stopping by and pinning! 🙂
Melissa Whitcher says
Thank you for linking up these Key Lime bars at our SImply Create Link Party! I just wanted to let you know that I am featuring them as part of 17 Delicious Dessert Bars today on the blog.
Melissa
http://www.redflycreations.com/2013/07/17-delicious-dessert-bars.html
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks so much, Melissa! I appreciate it!!
Lisa@hooplapalooza says
okey dokey. i’m making these. 🙂
Cathy Trochelman says
You won’t regret it, Lisa!! 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
What a great post! And great bars!
Cathy Trochelman says
Awwww…thanks Dorothy!
Stephanie Daigneault says
These look so good! Can’t wait to try.
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks, Stephanie! I hope you do!
Sinea Pies says
Cathy, these are a work of art. Key limes apparently are not just ordinary limes, huh? I’ll have to google that….and then MAKE some! Yum.
Thanks for sharing this on Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop and thanks so much for co-hosting with me! 🙂
Sinea
Ducks ‘n a Row
Cathy Trochelman says
Thank you, Sinea! No, key limes are not ordinary limes….they come in a bag with lots and lots! Perfect for this recipe! Thanks so much for having me co-host with you!!
Huckleberry Love says
Oh my gosh! These look simply amazing. I love that you used fresh lime as a garnish! These have been pinned to our dessert board and I hope to make them soon!
Thanks for linking up with us for Much Ado About Monday again. We LOVE all of your fabulous recipes! Have a great weekend! 🙂
~Emily
http://www.huckleberrylove.com
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks so much, Emily! I went back and forth on garnish…..but thought the key limes are so pretty I might as well use them! Thanks for pinning!
Our Delightful Home says
This looks delish!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thank you!!
Lisa says
Mmm, these look amazing! I love to have one RIGHT NOW!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks, Lisa! They are incredibly easy to make….hope you give them a try! 🙂
Elizabeth F says
Oh yum! I simply LOVE key lime pie! I think these shall go on my I-have-got-to-make-that list.
Elizabeth at Real Inspired
Cathy Trochelman says
I love key lime pie too! These are a fun and creamy twist….all the same flavors. Enjoy!!
Ruth Soukup says
Oh, these looks simply DELICIOUS Cathy!! I am going to have to make this! Thanks so much for sharing this yummy recipe!
My readers would love this yummy recipe! I’d love it if you linked this up over at Living Well Spending Less for Thrifty Thursday this week! http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/category/thrifty-thursday/
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks so much, Ruth! Hopping over to join in now! 🙂
Desiree @ The 36th AVENUE says
pinning again!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thank you!!
Six Sisters says
These look so delicious! Thanks for sharing them at our Strut Your Stuff Saturday link party! Have a great weekend. -The Six Sisters
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks so much for stopping by! Always happy to share at your lovely party! 🙂
Lin R says
Thank you for this recipe. I am going to make these next week. What kind of sugar cookies do you use…homemade or is there a brand you recommend please?
Cathy Trochelman says
Hi Lin, I used store bought that were in a sleeve and had a flower shape. The brand was Rippin Good but I’m not sure if they are sold everywhere. Looking online, it seems that they are sold in a number of larger grocery stores and on Amazon. Hope this helps!
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
Yum!!! You always have the best looking recipes. 🙂 In case you didn’t see it earlier, I featured this on my blog today! I’m stopping by to pin, and to let you know you can grab a Featured button if you don’t already have one! http://practicallyfunctional.net/2013/07/12-creative-ideas-2/
Tammy N says
Love the no-bake idea for summer treats. I love lemon bars so this recipe caught my eye. I would be a good alternative to an old favorite.
KC Coake says
These look sooo good!
Thanks so much for linking up.
KC
Joan Hayes says
Its fast and easy to make, plus it looks good. I love anything lime. Thanks for sharing Thursdays Treasures I’m featuring you this week.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
These look absolutely incredible Cathy! I love no-bake recipes 🙂 Pinned!
Jen says
I used a dry sugar cookie mix and pressed it into the cups of a mini muffin pan and baked them. Then took them out of the pan let them cool and filled them with this delicious key lime mixture. I followed the recipe exactly except I left out the zest and obviously the sugar cookie part was different. Everyone loved them and I keep pointing them to your website. Thanks for the easy, yummy recipe!
Ruthie Knudsen says
Delightful! How fun… I’m so glad you came to share at Super Saturday Show & Tell last week… this week I’m co-hosting a HUGE bash with 2 other bloggers! Come on over http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com and share again! xoxo~ Ruthie
Mariel says
Just wanted to let you know this was featured on ‘Or so she says…’ today!! Thanks so much for linking it up. ~ Mariel
eBoneigh1 says
I actually ended up making these with my partner. While I love the idea, I couldn’t get past the butter taste, as there are 2/3 cups of butter in this one 8×8 pan. I think next time I’ll substitute the butter in the lime mixture with cream cheese and maybe add some cool-whip for some added fluff.
Thanks for the recipe!
Christine says
I made these Key Lime meltaways yesterday with the slight modification that I used coconut sugar cookie crumbs for the crust. They were fantastic! I’ll try the mint Oreo ones as well someday soon. Thanks for the great recipes!
Roia says
Looked delicious so I tried recipe, unfortunately almost 24hrs after they had still not set. Mixture was soupy in the begining and so I had added 1/2 c extra powdered sugar. I looked at similar recipe for oreo cream meltaways and noticed it called for 3c powdered sugar and 1/2c of butter.This recipe called for 1/3c butter and 1.5c powdered sugar. So I added 3 Tb soft butter and 1c powdered sugar to mixer then poured topping off into mixer blended it and put back on top of cookies. Mixture was a lot better.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif says
I love your key lime bars..I’ll try it, your mint oreo meltaways looks appetizing.
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Amanda says
Hi there, all I have is regular limes. Can you give me any insight on how these would turn out with the regular limes?