Festive Gingerbread Lime Christmas Squares: Your Ultimate Holiday Baking Recipe
Step aside, plain lemon bars! These enchanting holiday Lime Christmas Squares were crafted with the specific intention of bringing a truly festive flair to your holiday dessert table. Imagine a perfectly spiced gingerbread toffee crust, rich with warm seasonal flavors, topped with a bright, tangy lime filling that offers a delightful contrast. This harmonious pairing creates a truly unforgettable treat that stands out from typical holiday fare. Finished with a sprinkle of shimmering green sparkling sugar or a dusting of delicate powdered sugar, these gingerbread lime bars become an irresistible centerpiece on any Christmas baking tray.
These unique Christmas Squares have quickly become a cherished family favorite in our home, eagerly anticipated and highly coveted among all the festive treats. While they are incredibly popular during the holiday season, their refreshing taste makes them a delicious indulgence at any time of year. They offer a wonderful and unexpected change from traditional Christmas cookies, making them an excellent choice for cookie swaps or as a special addition to any holiday gathering. Their vibrant flavor and festive appearance guarantee they’ll be a conversation starter!
Unlike typical key lime pie bars, these gingerbread lime bars are a creative experiment born from a desire to blend the comforting warmth of gingerbread with the zesty brightness of lime. The result is a truly scrumptious and distinctive Christmas treat that captures the essence of the holidays with a twist!
If you’re looking to expand your repertoire of holiday bars and squares, you’ll also adore these Mocha Eggnog Cheesecake Bars! Or, for something a little more classic and traditional, be sure to try my beloved Date Slices or my indulgent Chocolate Squares. There’s a perfect bar recipe for every occasion!
🥘 Ingredient Notes
These gingerbread and lime Christmas squares are truly addictive, and the secret lies in the harmonious combination of quality ingredients. The Skor toffee bits, in particular, elevate the gingerbread crust, adding a delightful crunch and buttery caramel depth that makes it truly sing!
Here are the simple, yet essential, ingredients you’ll need for this irresistible lime square recipe:
- Brown sugar: This essential ingredient contributes a deep, rich, molasses-like flavor to the gingerbread crust, making it more complex and inviting than if white sugar alone were used.
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter is always my preference in baking. It allows me precise control over the overall salt content of the recipe, ensuring the flavors are perfectly balanced.
- Cinnamon, ground ginger, and a little molasses: This trio forms the very heart of the divine gingerbread flavor. Cinnamon adds warmth, ginger provides its characteristic spicy kick, and molasses brings depth and moisture, creating that classic gingerbread profile.
- Toffee bits: I highly recommend using Skor or Heath toffee baking bits (affiliate link). They are game-changers, adding both a wonderful textural contrast and an out-of-this-world buttery toffee flavor to the already delicious gingerbread crust. I also love incorporating them into other festive recipes, like my Christmas Bread Pudding!
- Fresh limes: The star of the filling! Fresh limes are paramount for achieving that vibrant, tangy taste that beautifully complements the spiced gingerbread crust. Their bright acidity makes this delicious dessert truly shine.
- Green food coloring (optional): I use Wilton Kelly Green gel food coloring (affiliate link) to achieve that signature festive green hue. Gel colors are highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way and provides a much richer color than typical grocery store liquid food coloring.
- Green sparkling sugar (optional): (affiliate link) This decorative topping adds an extra touch of sparkle and festivity, making these squares truly special for your holiday spread. It’s a simple way to elevate their visual appeal.
The photo below illustrates the ideal size of limes I used in developing this recipe, ensuring the perfect balance of juice and zest.
For a complete list of all ingredients and their exact quantities, please refer to the detailed recipe card further down this page.
📖 Variations & Substitutions
One of the joys of baking is being able to adapt recipes to your preferences or what you have on hand. Here are some ideas for varying your Gingerbread Lime Christmas Squares:
- Butter: If you only have salted butter available, you can absolutely use it. Simply omit the ¼ teaspoon of salt from the crust recipe to maintain the intended flavor balance.
- Toppings: While green sparkling sugar and powdered sugar are festive and beautiful, feel free to get creative! These bars are delightful served plain, but you could also add a green and white shredded coconut topping for a tropical twist, or even a drizzle of white chocolate.
- Christmas Trees (as shown below): For an extra whimsical touch, try creating mini Christmas trees! I used small chocolate bars (like Coffee Crisp) as the “trunk” and topped them with a maraschino cherry for a pop of red. They’re adorable and perfect for a holiday party!
- Food coloring: If you prefer to avoid food coloring, you can skip it entirely. The lime filling will still be delicious, albeit a very pale, natural green. The flavor will be exactly the same, only the visual vibrancy will differ.
🔪 How to Make Lime Christmas Squares
Creating these delightful Lime Christmas Squares is a straightforward process, yielding impressive results. Follow these simple steps for a truly festive and flavorful treat:
Prep Work: Before you begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C). Generously spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring all sides and corners are well-covered to prevent sticking. Set the prepared pan aside.
- Step 1: Craft the Crust. Begin by placing all your crust ingredients, *except* for the toffee bits, into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse and process on high speed until the butter is thoroughly and evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients, and the mixture begins to cling together, forming a coarse dough.
- Step 2: Add Toffee Bits. Now, add the delightful toffee bits to the food processor with the crust mixture. Process for an additional 30 seconds or so, just until the toffee bits are well integrated and the dough comes together cohesively. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
- Step 3: Bake the Crust. Press the prepared crust dough mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown and the crust is fragrant. For a perfectly crisp crust, 18 minutes is often ideal.
- Step 4: Prepare the Filling. While the crust is baking, begin preparing the vibrant lime filling. In a small to medium-sized bowl, mix together the ¼ cup all-purpose flour and the ½ teaspoon of baking powder until they are well combined. This ensures even distribution in the wet ingredients later.
- Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients. In a separate large bowl, combine the beaten large eggs, white granulated sugar, and fresh lime juice. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients together for approximately 30-45 seconds, just until they are smoothly combined and slightly frothy.
- Step 6: Finalize the Filling. Gently stir the previously mixed dry ingredients (flour and baking powder) into the lime and egg mixture. At this point, also add the fragrant lime zest and your chosen amount of green food coloring. Mix just until everything is incorporated and the color is evenly distributed, being careful not to overmix.
- Step 7: Crust Ready. Once the gingerbread toffee crust is perfectly baked and golden, carefully remove the pan from the oven.
- Step 8: Pour the Filling. This step is crucial: Immediately pour the prepared lime filling evenly over the hot gingerbread crust in the baking pan. The heat from the crust helps to slightly set the bottom of the filling, ensuring a cohesive bar.
- Step 9: Bake and Chill. Return the pan to the preheated oven, placing it on the middle oven rack. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the lime filling is set and firm to the touch (around 23 minutes is often perfect). Once baked, remove the pan and let the squares cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes. After this initial cooling, transfer the pan to the refrigerator to chill for an additional 20-30 minutes. *It’s absolutely essential not to attempt to cut these squares while they are still warm; the colder they are, the cleaner your cuts will be, and the firmer the bars will be when served.
- Step 10: Cut and Garnish. Once your Lime Christmas Squares are thoroughly chilled and firm, use a sharp knife to cut them into 16 even squares. For an extra touch of festive elegance, you can then cut each square in half diagonally, yielding 32 charming triangles. Before serving, sprinkle generously with green sparkling sugar, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even coconut flakes, as desired, for a beautiful finish.
Tips for Success
Achieving perfectly set, delicious Lime Christmas Squares is easy with these helpful tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: Always ensure your eggs and butter are at room temperature before you begin mixing. Room temperature ingredients emulsify much more easily, resulting in a smoother, more uniform filling and a well-integrated dough for the crust. This small step makes a big difference in the final texture of your bars.
- Do Not Overmix the Filling: While you want the ingredients to be well combined, overmixing the lime and egg mixture can introduce too much air, which can lead to cracks on the surface of your bars as they bake and cool. While these cracks won’t affect the taste or texture, they might not look as pristine. If cracks appear, simply cover them up with a generous dusting of powdered sugar or sparkling sugar. (My own bars sometimes get a small crack, often from an accidental oven mitt bump, not necessarily overmixing!)
- Generously Grease Your Pan: This is a critical step! When preparing your 9×13 inch pan, grease it very generously with non-stick cooking spray, or even better, a product like Wilton Cake Release. Make sure to thoroughly coat the sides and get into all the corners of the pan. These lime squares have a tendency to stick, and ample greasing will significantly aid in removing the bars cleanly and without damage. If you find they do stick, carefully use a thin butter knife to loosen them around the edges. Any slightly messy edges can always be neatly trimmed before serving.
- Small Bubbles Are Normal: Don’t be alarmed if small bubbles form on top of your lime bars as they bake. This is a completely normal occurrence for lime bars and happens as air from the egg mixture rises to the surface. It will not affect the delicious taste or delightful texture of the bars, and as with cracks, you can easily conceal them with your chosen topping of powdered or sparkling sugar. To minimize bubble formation, try to avoid vigorous whisking of the filling.
- Bake Immediately After Pouring the Filling: Once you’ve poured the lime filling over the hot crust, put the pan into the oven without delay. The acidity of the lime juice reacts with the baking powder in the filling, initiating the leavening process. If you delay baking, the baking powder’s potency can diminish, which might prevent the filling from rising properly and setting correctly.
- Cool and Chill Thoroughly: Patience is a virtue, especially with these bars! It is absolutely vital to let them cool completely and then chill them in the refrigerator before attempting to cut them. I know the aroma is tempting, but trying to cut warm bars will result in a messy, gooey texture. Allowing them to chill fully will reward you with firm, perfectly set bars that hold their shape beautifully and are a joy to eat!
🌡️ Storing Your Holiday Lime Squares
To keep your festive Gingerbread Lime Christmas Squares fresh and delicious for as long as possible, follow these simple storage guidelines:
Fridge: Store these Christmas bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This will keep the filling firm and the flavors vibrant.
Freezer: If you wish to extend their shelf life, these bars freeze beautifully. Place them in a sealed, freezer-safe container, and they will keep well for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw them in the refrigerator.
Tip for Stacking: When stacking these dessert bars, always place a layer of parchment paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together. Additionally, for the best presentation, hold off on adding the green sparkling sugar, powdered sugar, or coconut flakes until just before you plan to serve them. This prevents the toppings from dissolving or becoming damp during storage.
👪 Serving Size & Customization
This Gingerbread Lime Christmas Square recipe is designed to yield 16 substantial bars. However, as shown in the photos, I often cut these squares in half diagonally to create 32 elegant triangles, which are perfect for a party or a dessert buffet. The smaller size also encourages guests to try more varieties of holiday treats!
The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. You can easily adjust the serving size to suit your needs. By clicking on the serving number in the recipe card (below), you can select to half, double, or even triple the recipe. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust for you. If you decide to half the recipe, I recommend baking it in an 8×8 inch square pan for optimal results.
These tangy lime bars are more than just sweet treats; they are a festive celebration that will infuse your holiday baking tray with a unique and unforgettable flavor. Their vibrant green hue and zesty taste offer a refreshing departure from traditional holiday sweets, making them truly special.
They also make fantastic edible holiday gifts! Pack them in pretty boxes or bags for friends, family, or neighbors. So, whether you are diligently searching for new Christmas Squares recipes or a show-stopping holiday recipe that highlights the bright flavor of fresh lime, you and all the citrus lovers in your life will absolutely adore this festive and unique take on the classic lime bar. It’s a recipe that promises to impress and delight!
❔ Recipe FAQs
Cracks in lime bars typically occur for a couple of reasons. The most common is overmixing the lime and egg filling, which can incorporate too much air. When this air escapes during baking and cooling, it can cause the surface to crack. Another factor can be baking the bars at too high a temperature, or experiencing a dramatic temperature change when removing them from the oven. While these cracks don’t affect the incredible taste and texture of your bars, they can easily be masked with a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar or sparkling sugar for a beautiful finish.
Yes, you absolutely can use key limes as a substitute for regular limes in this recipe, but there will be a slight difference in flavor profile. Key limes tend to be smaller, possess a more yellowish tint, and are generally a little sweeter and less tart than standard Persian limes. If you opt for key limes, your resulting bars will have a milder, sweeter lime flavor. Keep in mind that key limes can also be harder to find, especially outside of their peak season, which encompasses most of the year.
While you technically *can* use lime juice from concentrate, it’s generally not recommended for the best flavor in these Lime Christmas Squares. Fresh lime juice provides a bright, pure, and intensely tangy flavor that concentrate simply can’t replicate. Furthermore, this recipe calls for lime zest, which comes from fresh limes and contributes significantly to the overall aroma and flavor. If you’re zesting fresh limes, you might as well juice them! However, if you are skipping the zest and absolutely must use concentrate, use half the amount (¼ cup) as concentrates are often more potent and less balanced in flavor.
These Holiday Lime Gingerbread Bars have undoubtedly earned their place among our family’s cherished holiday food traditions. Being a delicious addition to a baking tray is one thing; being deemed “Santa-worthy” by my children is an entirely different level of special.
Indeed, my kids’ proud placement of these squares on Santa’s Christmas Eve plate serves as clear evidence that these festive treats are not just Santa-worthy, but truly the ultimate Christmas Square!
Happy Holidays and Enjoy!
🎄 More Holiday Baking Recipes!
- Best Butter Tart Recipe
- Terry’s Chocolate Orange Wedge Cookies
- Christmas Biscotti Recipe (with cranberry and pistachio)
- Red Velvet Christmas Brownie Balls Recipe
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📋 Lime Christmas Squares Recipe
Gingerbread and lime are a perfect pairing in these delicious Lime Christmas Squares. A gingerbread toffee base and green sparkling sugar make these lime bars extra festive for your holiday baking tray!
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: North American
Special Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 16 bars (can be adjusted)
Calories: 276 kcal per serving
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Equipment
- Electric mixer
- Food processor
- 9×13 inch pan
Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup sifted powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅓ cup toffee bits (e.g., Skor or Heath)
Filling:
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten with a fork
- 1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon grated lime zest (from about 4 limes)
- ½ cup fresh lime juice (from about 4-5 limes)
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ – ¾ teaspoon green food colouring (Wilton Kelly green icing color recommended), depending on desired shade
Garnish (Optional):
- Green sparkling sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Coconut flakes
Instructions
Crust:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a food processor, combine brown sugar, all-purpose flour, salt, sifted powdered sugar, unsalted butter, molasses, cinnamon, and ground ginger. Process on high until the butter is evenly distributed and the mixture begins to cling together.
- Add the toffee bits to the food processor and pulse for about 30 seconds until the dough is just combined.
- Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
Filling:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ¼ cup all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon baking powder.
- In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, white granulated sugar, and fresh lime juice for 30-45 seconds until well combined.
- Stir the dry flour mixture into the wet lime mixture, along with the lime zest and green food coloring. Mix until just incorporated; do not overmix.
- Immediately pour the filling evenly over the warm, baked crust.
- Return the pan to the preheated oven and bake on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set (it should not jiggle significantly when gently shaken).
- Remove from oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes. Then, refrigerate for 20-30 minutes until thoroughly chilled. It is crucial not to cut the squares while they are warm.
Topping:
- Once chilled, cut the bars into 16 squares. For a more decorative touch, cut each square diagonally in half to form 32 triangles.
- Just before serving, sprinkle with green sparkling sugar, powdered sugar, or coconut flakes as desired.
Notes
🌡️Storing:
- Fridge: Store these Christmas lime squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months in a sealed container.
- Tip: If stacking these dessert bars, place parchment paper between the layers. Add toppings like green sparkles, powdered sugar, or coconut only just prior to serving.
Tips for Success:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensures smoother blending and uniform texture.
- Avoid Overmixing: Prevents cracks in the filling.
- Generous Greasing: Essential for easy removal of the bars from the pan.
- Small Bubbles: Normal occurrence, can be minimized by not overmixing filling.
- Immediate Baking: Ensures proper leavening and setting of the filling.
- Cool and Chill Thoroughly: Do not cut warm bars; chilling ensures firm, clean cuts.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 square | Calories: 276kcal (14%) | Carbohydrates: 38g (13%) | Protein: 3g (6%) | Fat: 12g (18%) | Saturated Fat: 7g (44%) | Cholesterol: 71mg (24%) | Sodium: 55mg (2%) | Potassium: 78mg (2%) | Sugar: 23g (26%) | Vitamin A: 420IU (8%) | Vitamin C: 2.3mg (3%) | Calcium: 25mg (3%) | Iron: 1.1mg (6%)
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