Margarita Bars With Salted Ritz Cracker Crust Recipe

Introduction

These Margarita Bars with a salted Ritz cracker crust combine the zesty brightness of lime with a rich, creamy filling and a buttery, crunchy base. Perfect for a refreshing dessert or party treat, they bring a twist on the classic margarita in bar form.

Ingredients

• 52 Ritz crackers (approx. 2 cups cracker crumbs)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (melted, slightly cooled)
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• 2 (14-oz.) cans sweetened condensed milk
• 2 large whole eggs (room temperature)
• 2 large egg yolks (room temperature)
• ⅔ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 Tbsp Cointreau (or orange liqueur; orange juice can also be substituted)
• ¼ cup tequila (use alcohol-removed tequila or more lime juice for alcohol-free)
• 1 to 1 ½ Tbsp lime zest
• ½ cup sour cream (room temperature)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: Prepare the crust by placing the Ritz crackers into a food processor and pulsing until they become fine crumbs. Add melted butter, vanilla extract, sugar, and sea salt, then pulse again until fully combined.
3. Step 3: Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Firmly press the cracker crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan, pressing very well to ensure it holds together. Bake for 10–15 minutes until golden brown. Set aside to cool slightly.
4. Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, whole eggs, egg yolks, lime juice, Cointreau, tequila, lime zest, and sour cream until smooth and creamy. Use room temperature ingredients for best results.
5. Step 5: Pour the creamy margarita filling over the baked crust. Bake for 17–20 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is just set but slightly jiggly.
6. Step 6: Allow bars to cool on a rack for 30 minutes to an hour, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, ideally 4–6 hours, to fully set.
7. Step 7: When ready to serve, sprinkle with flaky sea salt and fresh lime zest before slicing into bars.

Tips & Variations

• For an alcohol-free version, substitute tequila with additional lime juice and use orange juice instead of Cointreau.
• Press the crust firmly to make sure it holds together well and does not crumble when sliced.
• Use fresh lime juice and zest for the brightest, most authentic margarita flavor.
• Chilling the bars overnight enhances the texture and flavor.

Storage

Store the Margarita Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Reheat slightly in the microwave if you prefer a softer texture, but avoid overheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, these bars can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This actually allows the flavors to meld and the texture to set perfectly.

What can I substitute for Ritz crackers if I don’t have any?

You can use graham crackers or saltine crackers as a substitute, though the flavor and texture of the crust will be slightly different. Ritz crackers provide a buttery, slightly salty crust which is ideal for this recipe.

Margarita Bars With Salted Ritz Cracker Crust Recipe

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4.9 from 82 reviews

These Margarita Bars with a salted Ritz cracker crust combine a buttery, crispy base with a creamy, tangy margarita-flavored filling, offering a refreshing twist on a classic dessert perfect for parties or casual gatherings.

• Author: luca
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 5 hours (including chilling time)
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust

• 52 Ritz crackers (approx. 2 cups cracker crumbs)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (melted, slightly cooled)
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp sea salt

Filling

• 2 14-oz. cans sweetened condensed milk
• 2 large whole eggs (room temperature)
• 2 large egg yolks (room temperature)
• ⅔ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 Tbsp Cointreau (or orange liqueur; orange juice can also be subbed)
• ¼ cup tequila (use an alcohol removed tequila or more lime juice for alcohol free)
• 1–1½ Tbsp lime zest
• ½ cup sour cream (room temperature)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking both the crust and filling.
2. Prepare Crust: Place the Ritz crackers into a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form. Then add melted butter, vanilla extract, sugar, and sea salt. Pulse the mixture until everything is fully combined and evenly mixed.
3. Form and Bake Crust: Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Press the cracker crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan, pressing very well to ensure the crust holds together during baking. Bake the crust for 10-15 minutes until it achieves a golden brown color. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
4. Make Filling: In a medium bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, whole eggs, egg yolks, lime juice, Cointreau (or orange liqueur/juice), tequila (or substitute), lime zest, and sour cream. Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for a smooth mixture. Whisk well until the filling is creamy and fully blended.
5. Pour and Bake Filling: Pour the margarita filling over the slightly cooled crust in the pan. Bake at 350°F for approximately 17-20 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is just set but may still jiggle slightly.
6. Cool and Chill: Transfer the baked bars to a cooling rack and cool for 30 minutes to an hour. Then refrigerate the bars for a minimum of 2 hours, ideally 4-6 hours, to allow the filling to fully set.
7. Serve: Before slicing, sprinkle the bars with flaky sea salt and additional fresh lime zest to enhance flavor and presentation. Cut into squares and serve chilled.

Notes

• Use room temperature eggs and sour cream to help the filling mix smoothly and bake evenly.
• If avoiding alcohol, substitute tequila with additional lime juice or an alcohol-removed tequila.
• Press the crust mixture very firmly into the pan to ensure it holds together well when sliced.
• For best flavor, chill bars for at least 4-6 hours to fully set the filling.
• Flaky sea salt adds a nice finish, balancing the sweet and tangy flavors.

Keywords: Margarita bars, Ritz cracker crust, lime dessert, baked custard bars, party dessert, margarita dessert bars