Key lime cheesecake bars are a new way to enjoy an old favorite.

The creamy, lime-forward filling stands in beautiful contrast to the graham cracker crust.

We prefer fresh Key lime juice and zest, but bottled juice will work in a pinch.

Southern Living Key Lime Cheesecake Bars cut and ready to serve

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Use the zest of Persian limes for the same floral, sweet flavor.

Learn how to make Key lime cheesecake bars, and bring these special treats to your next gathering.

Ingredients

White Chocolate-Graham Cracker Crust:

Cooking spray

2cups(6.8 oz.

Southern Living Key Lime Cheesecake Bars mixing together the crust ingredients in a glass mixing bowl

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)graham cracker crumbs

1/2cup(4 oz.

)unsalted butter, melted

1/4cup(1 3/4 oz.

)granulated sugar

1/4cup(1.4 oz.

Southern Living Key Lime Cheesecake Bars pressing the crust ingredients into the prepared pan

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)finely chopped white chocolate(from 1 [4-oz.]

pkg.cream cheese, at room temperature

3/4cup(7 oz.

)sour cream, at room temperature

2Tbsp.unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4cup(5 1/4 oz.

Southern Living Key Lime Cheesecake Bars crust baked in pan

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Line a 9- x 13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides.

Lightly coat pan and foil with cooking spray.

Press mixture evenly into bottom of prepared pan.

Southern Living Key Lime Cheesecake Bars mixing the cream cheese and sour cream together until fluffy

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Bake crust:

Bake in preheated oven until light golden and fragrant, 10 to 12 minutes.

Let cool slightly, about 15 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 300F.

Southern Living Key Lime Cheesecake Bars after adding the eggs to the cheesecake batter

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Beat in sugar and salt on medium speed until combined, about 1 minute.

Add Key lime juice and zest; beat on low speed just until combined, about 45 seconds.

Add Filling to Crust and bake:

Pour Cheesecake Filling into cooled Crust.

Southern Living Key Lime Cheesecake Bars cheesecake batter after mixing in the lime juice and zest

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Place baking pan into a large roasting pan, and place in preheated oven.

Pour water into roasting pan, and bake at 300F until cheesecake is set, 35 to 40 minutes.

Remove pans from oven, and carefully remove cheesecake from water bath.

Southern Living Key Lime Cheesecake Bars pouring batter into cooled crust

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Cut into 12 (3- x 2 1/2-inch) rectangles.

Garnish with whipped cream, white chocolate shavings, and key lime slices.

What Do Key Lime Cheesecake Bars Taste Like?

Southern Living Key Lime Cheesecake Bars baked bars in pan

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This dessert is super creamy with a tangy zing.

The Key lime flavor really shines through.

Southern Living Key Lime Cheesecake Bars removing the chilled bars from the pan to cut

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely