Easy Key Lime Pie Bars

Recipe Ingredients

A short ingredient list is all it takes to create these creamy, citrusy bars.

Pillsbury™ Sugar Cookie Dough: Crumbled sugar cookies are the perfect swap for traditional graham cracker crumbs in the easy crust which bakes up sweet, slightly crisp, and totally irresistible.

Sweetened Condensed Milk: This provides sweetness and creaminess while reacting with the lime juice to naturally thicken the filling.

Juice and Zest of 5 to 6 Fresh Limes: This combo delivers the bold, tangy flavor Key lime desserts are known for, with zest adding extra citrus aroma and punch. We use regular limes for this recipe, because they’re easier to find than Key limes. If you have Key limes, you’ll need up to 30 of them to make enough juice for this recipe; they’re smaller and more flavorful than regular limes.

Other Ingredients You’ll Need: We heard from a few home bakers that the original crust in this recipe turned out too crumbly, so we replaced the whipped topping in the crust with unsalted butter to help bind the cookie crumbs together and add richness to the crust. Frozen whipped topping lightens the filling for a fluffy, mousse-like texture that sets beautifully in the fridge, while Key lime pie-flavored yogurt adds tang, creaminess, and a boost of Key lime flavor without extra work.

How to Make Easy Key Lime Pie Bars

With a baked cookie crust and a no-bake filling, these bars come together in just a few simple steps—then the refrigerator takes it from there.

1. Make the Cookies

Slice the sugar cookie dough and bake cookies until golden, then cool completely. Once cooled, crush the cookies into fine crumbs.

2. Form the Crust

Stir the crushed cookies with melted unsalted butter, then press firmly into a baking dish to create a sturdy base.

3. Mix the Creamy Lime Filling

Beat sweetened condensed milk with fresh lime juice until thick and smooth. It should thicken within the first minute; make sure not to whip it too long, otherwise it may warm up and become less thick. Gently fold in the remaining whipped topping and Key lime yogurt to create a creamy, airy filling. Make sure to fold vs. whip, which would deflate the fluffy filling.

4. Assemble and Chill

Spread the filling over the crust, sprinkle with lime zest, cover, and refrigerate for 8 hours until fully set. As we tested this recipe, we found that chilling for a shorter amount of time resulted in the filling not setting up firm enough—so make sure it chills for the full 8 hours!

How to Store Easy Key Lime Pie Bars

These bars are even better once fully chilled, making them ideal to make ahead. Here’s how to store them.

Refrigerator Storage

Put plastic wrap over the dish for an airtight covering, then pop the whole thing in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Freezer Storage

After these Key lime bars have been prepared, they can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Remove and thaw them in the fridge for 6 to 8 hours before serving.