Strawberry Lime Bars

Name: Strawberry Lime Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 16
Ingredients: 1 package (16 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Ready to Bake!™ Sugar Cookie Dough (24 Count), baked and cooled; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided; 1 cup diced strawberries; 1/4 cup fresh lime juice; 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar; 1/4 cup all purpose flour; 4 eggs; Pink or red food color; Powdered sugar, for dusting

Prep time:20 min
Total time:3 hr 0 min
Ingredients:10
Servings:16

By Created by Nick(Opens in a new tab)Updated 06/12/2025

Strawberry Lime Bars

Prep time:20 min
Total time:3 hr 0 min
Ingredients:10
Servings:16
Calories per serving:

If you're craving a treat that perfectly balances sweet and tangy flavors, these strawberry lime bars are the dessert of your dreams! A delightfully fun twist on a classic lemon bar, what makes these bars truly special is the perfect balance of flavors. The sweetness of ripe strawberries pairs beautifully with the bright, citrusy kick of fresh lime juice, creating a filling that's bursting with fresh, fruity goodness. It's the kind of treat that instantly lifts your mood with lively flavors, making it perfect for warm-weather gatherings or anytime you need a little pick-me-up.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen newbie, this recipe is easy and so much fun to make. It all starts with a base of Pillsbury™ Ready to Bake!™ Sugar Cookie Dough to help you create that incredible, golden buttery crust. It makes the perfect backdrop for the bright, fruity flavors in your filling. These strawberry lime bars are a fantastic takealong for summer picnics, potlucks, cookie swaps, or simply as a refreshing dessert to enjoy any time of year. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this Strawberry Lime Bar recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.

How to Make Strawberry Lime Bars

This refreshing dessert is simple and sweet. We’ve got the full, detailed directions below, but here are the basics on how to bake them.

Prep

Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper to keep your finished bars from sticking to the bottom.

Cookie Crust

Place your sugar cookies in a large resealable bag and pound them with a rolling pin until they’re evenly crumbled. Add melted butter and salt to the bag and mix until well coated, then press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until the cookie crust is golden.

Strawberry Layer

While your cookie crust bakes, puree the strawberries and lime juice in a blender until smooth. Then, whisk the puree in a large bowl with sugar, flour, eggs, and salt. Add food gel color, a few drops at a time, until you reach your preferred pink or red color.

Bake

Pour filling onto your cookie crust. Pop the pan in the oven and bake until center is set, 25 to 30 minutes. Let the bars cool to room temperature and then refrigerate them until chilled, about 2 hours.

Serve

Remove your chilled strawberry lime bars from the pan. Dust the top with powdered sugar for a pretty presentation, then cut, serve, and enjoy!

How to Store Strawberry Lime Bars

To keep your leftover strawberry lime bars fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay at their best for up to 5 days when properly sealed. The cool environment of the fridge helps preserve their flavor and texture. Avoid freezing them, as the delicate texture of the strawberry and lime filling won’t hold up well to thawing. For the freshest taste, serve your bars chilled and try to let them come to room temperature for a few minutes before eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adding food coloring to the filling helps bring back the vibrant color of the strawberries that can get muted by the egg yolks. When eggs are incorporated into the curd, their natural yellow hue can dull the bright red of the strawberries. By adding a little food color, you’re restoring that gorgeous, eye-catching strawberry shade that would otherwise be lost. It doesn’t change the flavor but enhances the overall presentation, making your dessert as beautiful as it is tasty. Whether you prefer a subtle pink or a bold red, the food color ensures your curd looks as delicious as it tastes!

If you're out of lime juice or prefer a different citrus flavor, lemon juice works as a great alternative in this recipe. The bars will have a slightly different taste—lemon adds a tangy, slightly sweeter zing compared to the sharper, more tart lime flavor. It won’t drastically change the texture or structure of the bars and will still pair wonderfully with the strawberries. Just keep in mind that the citrus twist will be a bit milder, but still deliciously refreshing!

For a softer crust, you can press cookie dough directly into the pan instead of using pre-baked and crumbled cookies. This method creates a tender, chewy base that pairs beautifully with creamy or fruity fillings. However, if you prefer a bit of texture contrast, using crispy, baked cookies for the crust is the way to go. This adds a nice crunch that complements softer layers like custards or curds. Plus, a crumbly cookie base can provide an additional layer of flavor. For the best balance, think about how you want the crust’s texture to pair with the filling and choose accordingly!