Cream cheese: We flavor rich cream cheese with a little sugar and vanilla extract to fill out the middle layer of these Key lime bars. Softened cream cheese whips up easily, so set the cream cheese on the counter for 35 to 45 minutes. (If you forgot, pop it in the microwave at 5-second intervals until softened.)
Key limes: To juice citruses the easy way, toss the halved citrus in the food processor—peel and all. Then strain the whole mess through a fine mesh strainer. We’ve also hacked a garlic press to juice tiny Key limes. (Just make sure the press is clean of any garlic residue first. Otherwise, your bars might taste like garlic!)
Recipe Variations
Use a different crumb crust: Use another crumb crust ingredient like graham crackers, pretzels, gingersnap cookies or shortbread cookies.
Use other citrus: Switch up the citrus, and make them with grapefruit, lemon or a lemon-lime mixture.