KEY LIME BLONDIE BARS

Key Lime Blondie Bars image

Here's my tropical take on a beloved treat. These Key lime bars combine the taste of the classic pie with a blondie batter and cream cheese frosting. You can make a thicker crust if desired. -Kristin LaBoon, Austin, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 20

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Ingredients

1-1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs, divided
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons melted butter, divided
3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 large egg white, room temperature
3 tablespoons Key lime juice
4-1/2 teaspoons grated Key lime zest
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
FROSTING:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Key lime slices, optional

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9-in. square baking pan with parchment, letting ends extend up sides. Combine 1 cup cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup melted butter and 3 tablespoons brown sugar; press onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., For blondie layer, in a large bowl, cream softened butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs, egg white, and lime juice and zest. In a small bowl, mix flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt; gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well., Spread over crust. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes (do not overbake). Cool completely in pan on a wire rack., For streusel, combine the remaining 1/3 cup cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt, along with the vanilla and cinnamon, until crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup for topping., In a large bowl, combine the 5 frosting ingredients; beat until smooth. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup streusel. Spread over bars. Sprinkle with reserved topping. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before cutting. Lifting with the parchment, remove from pan. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If desired, garnish with sliced Key limes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 422 calories, Fat 19g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 69mg cholesterol, Sodium 283mg sodium, Carbohydrate 62g carbohydrate (51g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.