This is my go to recipe for lemon bars, yes that's right I said lemon bars. You see that's what the original recipe calls for, and any other day I would go for that, but I thought I was in the mood for some Key Lime Treats. These bars are creamy, with just enough tartness of the lemon (or lime in this case.) The crust is perfect made with the vanilla wafer cookies. This is an all round summer classic in our house, whenever I make these people often ask for the recipe and I have to point them to the Kraft website!
Key Lime Bars (adapted from Kraft Food and Family)
20 Reduced Fat vaNilla Wafers cookies, finely crushed
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold margarine
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Neufchatel cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. flour
3 Tbsp. grated key lime peel, divided
1/4 cup fresh key lime juice
1/4 tsp. CALUMET Baking Powder
2 tsp. powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 8-inch square baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan; set aside. Combine wafer crumbs, 1/2 cup flour and the brown sugar in medium bowl. Cut in margarine with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; press firmly onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 min.
Beat Neufchatel cheese and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs and 2 Tbsp. flour; mix well. Blend in 1 Tbsp. Key Lime peel, Key Lime juice and baking powder; pour over crust.
Bake 25 to 28 min. or until center is set. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and remaining 2 Tbsp. grated key lime peel just before cutting into squares to serve. Store leftover squares in refrigerator.
