Description
These Dairy-Free Key Lime Pie Bars are a refreshing, no-bake dessert perfect for warm days. With a crunchy nutty crust and a creamy, tangy lime filling made from soaked cashews and coconut cream, they offer a delicious dairy-free alternative to traditional key lime pie. Sweetened naturally with dates and maple syrup, these bars are both indulgent and wholesome.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1.5 cups raw pecans
- 1/2 cup macadamia nuts (or substitute with an additional 1/2 cup pecans)
- 1/3 cup coconut oil or ghee (solid form)
- 6 pitted dates
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Filling
- 2 cups raw unsalted cashews (soaked in hot water for at least 30 minutes)
- 1 cup coconut cream (or the thick part of a can of full-fat coconut milk)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (or substitute honey)
- Zest from 3 limes
- Juice from 3 limes
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Combine all the crust ingredients—pecans, macadamia nuts, coconut oil (or ghee), dates, almond flour, shredded coconut, sea salt, and cinnamon—in a food processor. Pulse until a slightly chunky, sticky mixture forms. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×9 inch pan. Place the pan into the freezer while you prepare the filling.
- Prepare the Filling: Rinse and drain the soaked cashews. Clean the food processor bowl, then add the cashews along with the coconut cream, maple syrup, lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla extract. Blend on high speed for 1.5 to 2 minutes until the filling is very creamy with no lumps remaining.
- Assemble and Freeze: Pour the creamy filling over the crust in the pan. Use a spatula to spread the filling evenly. Place the assembled bars back into the freezer for at least 2 hours, or until fully hardened.
- Serve: Remove from the freezer and slice into 9 equal bars (3×3 inches each). Enjoy these refreshing, dairy-free key lime pie bars chilled.
Notes
- Soaking the cashews in hot water softens them and makes the filling smoother and creamier.
- You can substitute macadamia nuts with additional pecans if preferred or unavailable.
- For a sweeter or different flavor profile, honey can replace the maple syrup.
- Keep the bars stored in the freezer for best texture and freshness.
- If coconut oil is substituted with ghee, the bars will not be vegan.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (includes nut soaking time of 30 minutes not active prep)
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (no actual cooking involved)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
