Atlantic Beach Pie Bars Add Sunshine To Any Party

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Bill Smith's Atlantic Beach Pie remains one of our most popular recipes, so we took on making a new version that's perhaps easier to serve at picnics and potlucks. Each pie bar is tangy, sweet, tart, and very creamy. The pie filling is a pale yellow, but it's punctuated by the green of lime zest and dollops of creamy, sweet whipped cream. And of course, we couldn't forget the surprising crust: It's made with saltines, not cookies or pastry.

Atlantic Beach Pie Bars - Southern Living
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Active Time:
50 mins
Cool Time:
3 hrs
Total Time:
3 hrs 50 mins
Servings:
16
ingredients for Atlantic Beach Pie Bars - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray

  • 1 1/2 cup finely crushed saltine crackers (from 1 sleeve, about 37 crackers)

  • 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

  • 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

  • 2 large egg whites, lightly beaten

  • 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

  • 4 large egg yolks

  • 1/3 cup fresh lime juice (from 2 large limes)

  • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)

  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

  • 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar

  • Lemon and lime zests, for garnish

Directions

  1. Make and freeze crust:

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Stir together crushed crackers, melted butter, sugar, and egg white in a medium bowl until combined.

    Atlantic Beach Pie Bars crust in a bowl - Southern Living

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Transfer mixture to a 8x8-inch baking dish lined with cooking spray; firmly press evenly on bottom. Freeze 15 minutes.

    saltine crust pressed into 8x8 pan

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. Bake crust:

    Bake in preheated oven until crust is lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

    baked saltine crust - Southern Living

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Bake pie bars:

    Meanwhile, whisk together condensed milk and egg yolks until smooth. Whisk in lime juice and lemon juice until combined. Pour lime mixture into warm crust. Bake at 350°F until center is just set, 20 minutes.

    unbaked atlantic beach pie bars - Southern Living

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  4. Let cool:

    Transfer to a wire rack; cool 1 hour. Refrigerate uncovered until chilled, about 2 hours. Remove from baking dish and set on a wire rack.

    baked atlantic beach pie bars - Southern Living

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  5. Make whipped cream:

    Beat cream and powdered sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.

    homemade whipped cream in a stand mixer bowl - Southern Living

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  6. Garnish bars and serve:

    Serve whipped cream on top of bars. Garnish with lemon and lime zests, if desired. Bars can be stored, covered, without whipped cream topping, in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Serve with whipped cream before serving.

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