Almond Key Lime Bars

By moddie2bert

Ingredients

• Whipped Topping, (optional):
• 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sliced toasted almonds
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 (14 oz) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1/2 cup key lime juice or regular lime juice
• 3 large egg yolks, beaten
• 1 teaspoon grated lime peel
• 3 drops green food coloring, if desired
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 ounces mascarpone cheese or cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Details

Servings 24

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with foil. Finely chop the ½ cup almonds and combine them with the flour, powdered sugar, almond extract and salt in medium bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture is the size of peas. Press in bottom of prepared pan. Press remaining 3 tablespoons sliced almonds into crust mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Combine sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, egg yolks, lime peel and food coloring, if using, in large bowl. Beat until smooth. Pour over crust. Bake 20 minutes or until center is set. Cool 2 hours. Cut into bars. Decorate with whipped topping, if desired.

For Whipped Topping, beat cream, cheese and sugar in small bowl until smooth and stiff peaks form. Top each bar with cream mixture using a pastry bag or spoon.