KEY LIME BARS

Ingredients

1 (18.25 ounce) package vanilla cake mix
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 egg yolk
4 eggs
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup lime juice
1 tablespoon lime zest

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Reserve 1 tablespoon cake mix.  Pour remaining cake mix, melted butter and egg yolk into a large bowl.  Blend for 1-2 minutes with an electric mixer until well mixed and crumbly.  Press mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.  Bake for 10 minutes.  While crust bakes, whisk together 4 eggs, condensed milk, lime juice and reserved tablespoon of cake mix until smooth.  Stir in lime zest.  Spread the lime mixture over the warm crust.  Return to oven and bake an additional 20 minutes or until topping is set.  Cool completely and refrigerate until cold before serving.

Let's Dish
Initially, I was disappointed that these bars weren't more lime colored.  Then I tasted them and it didn't matter anymore.  I suppose you could add some green food coloring, although I haven't tried that myself.  This recipe is quick and easy, with a cake mix giving you a head start on your crust.  The crust can get a little tough after the bars have been in the refrigerator for awhile, so I recommend letting them sit out for several minutes before cutting and serving.  For lemon bars, just replace the lime juice and zest with lemon.

Who Dished It Up First
This is the first recipe I've tried from Camilla Saulsbury's Ultimate Shortcut Cookie Book.  There are 745 quick cookie recipes that start with a boxed cake mix, brownie mix or refrigerated dough.  I can't wait to to try the other 744 recipes! You can visit her short-cut cookie blog here.