Key Lime Bars

Spring is coming. If I post enough fruit, fresh, and barbecue recipes it will make it true! These amazing little bars are addictive and tangy and springy. They are courtesy of everyone's favorite felon, Martha Stewart. I love all her recipes.

Crust:
1 C plus 2 1/2 TBS finely ground graham cracker crumbs
1/2 C sugar
5 TBS unsalted butter, melted

Filling:
3 large egg yolks
1 1/2 tsp finely grated lime zest
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
2/3 C lime juice

Garnish:
Whipped cream
Key limes thinly sliced into half moons

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Make crust: Stir graham crackers, sugar, and butter into bowl and press evenly onto bottom of greased 8 in square baking dish, bake for about 10 mins, let cool completely
3. Make filling:
• Mix egg yolks and lime zest mix on high w/ whisk attachments, until thick, about 5 mins.
• Add sweetened condensed milk in a slow steady stream mixing constantly. Raise to high, mix until thick, about 3 mins.
• Reduce speed to low, add juice, mix until just combined

Spread filling evenly on crust. Bake 10 mins, cool completely, cool at room temp until cool to the touch and then in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.


Garnish

Oatmeal Chocolate Caramel Bars

This came from My Kitchen Cafe which consistently has really awesome recipes. These salty/sweet/textured bars are super rich and addictive. Click the link to see her pictures.

Since I am still banned from the grocery store, so I made my own caramel instead of melting cream and store-bought caramels. I think the result is divine.


Oatmeal Chocolate Caramel Bars

*Makes 9X13-inch pan of bars

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup melted butter

14 ounce bag of caramels
1/2 cup whipping cream or milk
1 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degree. Mix the first six ingredients together and sprinkle half on the bottom of a 9X13-inch baking pan. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, melt the caramels and whipping cream or milk in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave at 50% power, stirring often, until the mixture is smooth. When the bars have been removed from the oven, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the crust and pour the melted caramel over the top. Sprinkle the rest of the crust over the top and bake in the oven for an additional 10-12 minutes, until the caramel is bubbling and edges are lightly browned. Cool the bars completely before serving so they can set up properly.