Experience the bright, tangy flavors of a margarita in a delightfully sweet and citrusy dessert bar. These Margarita Bars combine a buttery, crisp crust with a zesty lime filling that perfectly captures the essence of the classic cocktail, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Whether you’re entertaining guests or craving a refreshing dessert, these bars offer the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, finished with an optional salt or sugar rim that adds a fun, festive touch.
- The buttery crust offers the perfect sturdy base for smooth, citrusy lime filling.
- Bright lime and optional tequila create a flavorful, cocktail-inspired dessert experience.
- Simple ingredients and steps make this recipe easy to prepare anytime.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour for crust: Provides structure and a tender, crumbly base for the dessert bars (1½ cups).
- Powdered sugar for crust: Adds a subtle sweetness and delicate texture to the crust ( ½ cup).
- Unsalted butter: Softened for easy mixing, it enriches the crust with a rich, creamy flavor ( ½ cup).
- Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavors in the crust.
- Large eggs: Bind the filling ingredients while giving it a silky, custard-like texture (3 eggs).
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the lime filling to balance the tangy citrus notes (1½ cups).
- All-purpose flour for filling: Helps thicken the filling to a smooth consistency (2 tablespoons).
- Lime zest: Adds concentrated, fresh lime flavor and aromatic oils (zest of 2 limes).
- Fresh lime juice: Provides bright acidity and tartness, key to the margarita flavor ( ½ cup, about 4–5 limes).
- Tequila (optional): Infuses the bars with authentic margarita booziness and complexity (1 tablespoon).
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the citrus flavors with subtle sweetness and warmth ( ½ teaspoon).
- Optional toppings: Powdered sugar dusting, lime slices or zest for garnish, and coarse sugar or salt rim to mimic a margarita glass.
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Crust
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Start by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, softened butter, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the mixture transforms into a crumbly dough. This step is crucial for creating a buttery base that can hold the filling without getting soggy.
- Press and Bake the Crust
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Firmly press the formed dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan. Pressing it tightly ensures the crust will be solid and crisp once baked. Bake for about 12–15 minutes until it is set and lightly golden, creating a flavorful and stable foundation for the lime filling.
- Whisk the Margarita Filling
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Adding the flour next helps thicken the filling. Then, stir in the fresh lime zest, lime juice, optional tequila, and vanilla extract. Whisk gently until everything forms a smooth, bright lime filling packed with zesty flavor.
- Combine and Bake the Bars
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Pour the prepared filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. The filling will be liquid but will set as it bakes. Bake for 15–20 minutes until the filling is just set but still slightly wobbly in the center. This gives the bars a creamy texture once cooled.
- Cool and Add Finishing Touches
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Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack to ensure the filling firms up properly. Before serving, dust with powdered sugar and garnish with lime slices or zest for an inviting, fresh look. For a festive flair, sprinkle coarse sugar or salt along the edges to mimic the classic margarita glass rim.
- Use fresh lime juice for the most vibrant citrus flavor; bottled juice lacks brightness.
- Adjust the granulated sugar based on the tartness of your limes for balanced sweetness.
- Chilling the bars in the refrigerator before slicing results in clean, sharp edges for perfect squares.
Storage Tips
Store these Margarita Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days to keep them fresh. If you want to enjoy them later, they also freeze well wrapped tightly for up to 1 month.
Serving Suggestions
Serve chilled or at room temperature as a bright finish to dinner parties, brunches, or casual gatherings. Pair with a cup of coffee, a refreshing margarita, or sparkling water with lime for a complementary experience.
- For a stronger boozy flavor, increase tequila to 2 tablespoons, but avoid adding too much liquid.
- Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner slicing.
- Try experimenting with a mix of coarse salt and sugar on the rim for added texture and flavor contrast.
FAQs
- Can I make these bars vegan?
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Substituting vegan butter and using an egg replacer may work, but it will alter the texture and flavor significantly.
- What if I don’t have tequila?
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The tequila is optional and can be omitted; the bars will still feature bright lime flavor and be delicious.
- How do I get a perfect salt rim effect?
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Brush the edges of cooled bars lightly with lime juice and then dip into coarse salt or sugar for that classic margarita touch.
- Can I use bottled lime juice?
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Fresh lime juice is preferred for its brightness, but bottled juice can be used in a pinch—expect less vibrant flavor.
- What size pan do I need?
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A 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan provides the ideal thickness for these bars to bake evenly.
- How do I store leftover bars?
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Keep leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Margarita Bars
Equipment
- 1 9x13-inch baking pan greased
- 1 mixing bowl for crust
- 1 mixing bowl for filling
- 1 wire rack for cooling
- 1 oven preheated to 350°F (175°C)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- Pinch of salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Zest of 2 limes
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice about 4-5 limes
- 1 tablespoon tequila optional
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Extra powdered sugar for dusting
- Lime slices or zest for garnish
- Coarse sugar or salt for optional rim
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine flour, powdered sugar, softened butter, and a pinch of salt in a bowl until crumbly dough forms.
- Press the dough firmly into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.
- Bake the crust for 12-15 minutes until set and lightly golden.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Stir in flour, then add lime zest, lime juice, tequila (if using), and vanilla extract, whisking until well combined.
- Pour the filling over the baked crust.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until filling is just set and slightly wobbly in the center.
- Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with lime slices or zest.
- Optionally, sprinkle coarse sugar or salt along the edges to mimic a margarita glass rim.
Notes
- Use fresh lime juice for best flavor.
- Add more tequila for a stronger boozy note.
- Adjust sugar depending on tartness of limes.
- Chill bars before slicing for clean edges.
