Beaty’s Key Lime Bars

My friend Beaty is an amazing cook so when her daughter visited recently sweet Beaty sent a batch of these amazing key lime bars. Admittedly, I LOVE a good, big slice of key lime pie so I was a little skeptical because Beaty had cut these into teeny little squares. Oh my! When I bit into it the angels started to sing; by the time it got to my stomach, it was a full Hallelujah Chorus. They are that good.  Now I just have to figure out how to eat less than 100 at a sitting!

Ingredients

• 12 large graham cracker rectangles
• 2 tablespoons ground pecans
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 egg yolks, at room temperature
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 4 teaspoons lime zest (about 3 limes)
• 1/2 cup key lime juice (or regular)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8″x8″ pan with cooking spray and then line with parchment paper and set aside.

In a small bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, ground pecans, sugar and cinnamon. Add the melted butter and stir to combine. Make sure all crumbs are moistened. Press mixture into the bottom of a baking pan and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven.

In a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whisk egg yolks for 2 minutes.  Add condensed milk and beat for another 2 minutes.  Stop the mixer, scrap down the sides of bowl and then add lime zest.  With mixer on low, drizzle in lime juice, letting mixer run for another 2 minutes once finished adding juice.

Pour filling on crust and bake for 15 minutes.

Cool completely on rack. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Slice, serve and enjoy! Cue the angels!