Sally's Key Lime Bars

This came from my neighbor Sally. She found it on a Land O Lakes box. It is so refreshing and perfect for a summer get together. It will not be the same with regular lime juice, but the bottled Key lime juice is fine if you can't get the little Key limes in your area. If you do use real Key limes make sure you wait until they are yellow to use them. They are not ripe when green and will not have much juice.

• Ready In: 53 mins
• Serves: 24
• Yields: 25 bars

Ingredients

• Crust ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups flour
• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped pecans

• Filling ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 2  eggs
• 2  tablespoons flour
• 3  tablespoons  fresh key lime juice
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder

• Frosting ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups powdered sugar
• 1  tablespoon butter, softened
• 1 -2  tablespoon  fresh key lime juice
•  freshly grated key lime peel (to garnish)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350.
2. Combine all crust ingredients except pecans in small bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Stir in pecans.
4. Press onto bottom of ungreased 8 or 9 inch square baking pan.
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
6. Meanwhile, combine all filling ingredients in small bowl.
7. Beat at low speed until well mixed.
8. Pour filling over hot, partially baked crust.
9. Continue baking for 18 to 20 minutes or until filling is set.
10. Cool completely.
11. Combine all frosting ingredients except lime peel in a small bowl.
12. Spread over cooled bars.
13. Garnish with lime zest.
14. Store in refrigerator.