Lime Bars


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Lime Bars

Cinco de Mayo is Thursday? Aaaaaah. Not ready!

Well, I am planning on slamming back some five-dollar margaritas, so does that count as being ready? Maybe I’m okay. But in all other respects, I haven’t been baking my way ready. It’s all Passover’s fault. But now that’s over, so this no-strings-attached party can get some love!

People love lemon bars at picnics, but that’s only because they’ve never met lime bars. If given the choice, I’ll go for lime every day. It’s so much more refreshing, and it pairs beautifully with a frozen margarita. Salt on the rim, of course.

Lime Bars

This weekend was a miracle of sorts. My kids decided to not fight (!) and play peacefully with Legos for hours on end, giving Kenny and me the chance to nap on the couch with books. It was a revelation to actually get enough rest. That hasn’t happened since sometime in 2008. I might be a nicer person if weekends like this happened more often.

Once upon a time, I was probably generally more fun. In fact, I know I was. I went out at night to clubs and slurped down cocktails, dancing until the wee hours. On a nearly weekly basis, I would throw dinner parties for large groups of friends and stumble into bed around three with a sink full of dirty dishes and more piled on the counter. I would spend weekends unproductively lying around in bed, or reading the entire newspaper while eating Frosted Flakes, or sitting in the sunshine for hours with a book.

Lime Bars

Who is that woman? I think I left her far behind. These days, I’m physically incapable of going out at night to fill the gas tank, much less to find a place to go dancing. I throw a twice-yearly dinner party and clean up everything before bed, knowing that I’ll have to deal with kids in the morning. And sleeping late means occasionally getting to stay in bed as long as 6:30 before my spawn locates me hiding under the covers.

This is where people would typically say that they wouldn’t have it any other way, life is perfect now, they never knew what they were missing before they had kids, blah blah blah. Listen, I love my kids. That’s not up for debate. But I seriously miss the cool girl I used to be, and I wish some of her had survived the onslaught of motherhood. She’s in there somewhere, but I have rare opportunity to access her these days.

Lime Bars

Conclusion? Somebody meet me in New York for a good steak, a great cocktail and a night out. I’m dying to go. In the meantime, I’ll just have to plan out a Cinco de Mayo.

Like I said, it’s kind of snuck up on me this year, and I have to survive a 4 year-old’s birthday party on Wednesday first. But if I make it through, these bars are coming with me to any celebration. And have I mentioned the margaritas?

Lime Bars

I used to drink a lot of margaritas in my fun days, and now I drink a lot fewer. But they’re happening this week, and they’re happening with these lime bars. The bar has a simple shortbread base and an even simpler filling. They get topped off with a lime glaze and some lime zest. Have I said the word “lime” enough here?

So maybe I’m not the crazy girl I used to be, but I’m going to find a way to do it up this Cinco de Mayo. These bars are just the first step!

 

Lime Bars

Ingredients

Crust
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Filling
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
juice of one lime
zest of one lime
Glaze
2 cups powdered sugar
5-6 tablespoons lime juice
zest, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil. Coat generously with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the crust ingredients until crumbly. Press into the prepared pan and bake for about 20 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.
  3. While the crust is baking, make the filling. Combine the eggs, sugar, flour and baking powder. Add the lime juice and lime zest, stirring until the mixture is smooth.
  4. Pour the filling over the crust and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown. Cool completely.
  5. Combine the glaze ingredients (except the zest). Stir until smooth. Pour over the cooled bars. Sprinkle the zest over the top.
  6. Let the glaze set and cut into bars with a sharp knife. Store in an airtight container.
https://justaboutbaked.com/lime-bars/

 

 

 

 

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 26 Comments

  1. Megan - The Emotional Baker

    I’m not ready for Cinco de Mayo either! I don’t even think I’ll get to make a festive treat (but I do plan on making enchiladas!) If I do get a chance to make something sweet, these lime bars look perfect 🙂 I haven’t baked with lime in too long!
    Megan – The Emotional Baker recently posted…Lemon Sweet Rolls with White Chocolate GlazeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Enchiladas are totally festive. They’re the best!

  2. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Isn’t it funny how much we change as we get older? I much prefer to stay in on the weekends, and if I’m up past 10pm, that’s late for me! These bars look perfect, Mir! I love the lime flavor…will go perfectly with a margarita!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Mini Strawberry Peanut Butter Cheesecake PiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Lime is my favorite of all summer flavors!

  3. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    Glad you actually got some couch time in this weekend! Woot woot! As for being a cool girl, I don’t have kids and the hubs and I don’t go out.. I’m not sure it has so much to do with kids or no kids as it does just getting old. I’m too dang tired to go out and party or dance! 😉 lol. Anyways, Yahhhhhs to lime bars! Don’t get me wrong, I love lemon, but I’m with you on choosing lime over it! These bars look FABULOUS, but of course they do – YOU made them and you are the bar QUEEN! I could eat my weight in these zesty beauties! Pinned! Cheers, girlfriend!
    Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Baja Shrimp Ceviche TostadasMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Well, I’m not that cool. But I used to be cooler. Thanks, Chey. I do feel like a bar queen sometimes! 🙂

  4. annie@ciaochowbambina

    I’m sure you’ll get plenty of takers on that invitation but I will happily meet you in NYC for a good steak and cocktails! That would be a treat, huh?! In the meantime – I’ll enjoy these gorgeous bars with a yummy margarita!
    annie@ciaochowbambina recently posted…Soul SnacksMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Anytime, Annie. Let me know and I’ll hop on a train! I need that steak SO badly.

  5. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Mir, having your kids NOT fight is amazing!!! I would love that! and hey, something tells me the “fun/cool” girl in you is still there, alive and kicking and just needs a little encouragement! I would love to meet you in NYC for that steak dinner! These bars will have to do for now. . amazing!!!! I love sour/tart desserts! and these bars look amazing!!!!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Spicy Korean Chicken StewMy Profile

    1. Mir

      The whole not fighting thing is so rare that it’s AWESOME when it happens. Let me know when you’re in NYC. I’ll meet you there! 🙂

  6. Amanda

    I will take lime over lemon any day, whether it’s in a delicious frozen beverage or in a dessert. And I’m the one who always wants limeade versus lemonade. So basically me and these bars need to meet each other. Plus you’re reminding me that it’s been a long, long time since I’ve had a margarita. I should probably change that.
    Amanda recently posted…Sunshine SmoothieMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I’m a lime fanatic just like you, Amanda!

  7. mira

    We don’t go out that often, even though we have no kids! I need to make something for Cinco de mayo, just don’t know what. Might try these gorgeous lime bars! Pinned!
    mira recently posted…Mushroom Kale Quinoa SoupMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I love staying home, but sometimes a night out with margaritas is necessary!

  8. Aria

    Ahh! Lime! Yes, lime. I love lime! These look delicious! I think you should try to make grapefruit bars next. You know, I didn’t even know what Cinco de Mayo was, until I asked a friend. And then I was horrified at the fact that I didn’t know, because I’m supposed to be a history freak. It’s quite sad. However I shall celebrate now, knowing what it is, with these bars!
    Aria recently posted…Learning How to Use a DSLR // PhotographyMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Oh no! Well, now you know. It’s a fantastic holiday!

  9. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    I am totally craving a dance party…and a margarita. AND these bars!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Cinnamon Roll CobblerMy Profile

    1. Mir

      A margarita dance party tends to cure all of life’s ills!

  10. Kate @ Framed Cooks

    A margarita-like dessert? I’m IN! Bring on Cinco de Mayo, dessert-style! Have a great one, Mir, whether we stay in or go out. 🙂
    Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Oreo MuffinsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Will do, Kate. Same to you!

  11. Manali @ CookWithManali

    Lime is one of my favorite flavors, these bars sound delicious Mir
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Mango MastaniMy Profile

    1. Mir

      One of my favorites too, Manali!

  12. ami@naivecookcooks

    I am all for lime bars when summer comes!! These look so perfect Mir 🙂

    1. Mir

      Yeah, lime and summer are the best combo!

  13. Michele @ Alwayzbakin

    Oh those were the days! I remember when I used to go out dancing all night too. Boy I was fun. These Lime Bars are calling my name! I’m with you when you say you would pick lime over lemon. Me too!
    Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…May The 4th Be With You Cheese CrackersMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Yeah, we all used to be fun! 🙂

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