I told you recently that Cinco de Mayo was one of my all-time favorite holidays to bake for, so I couldn’t help but share another great and festive recipe. A true Fiesta isn’t complete without a limey margarita right? It’s one of the only cocktails that I can drink without immediately getting sleepy afterwards, so honestly it’s what I choose any night I want to have fun. (Which lets be honest, is only once in a rare while for this homebody.)
These bars are essentially the same concept as lemon bars, but with lime filling and plenty tequila mixed into the batter. They are easy to make, a beautiful limey color (thanks to a drop of food coloring) and the perfect festive treat for a weekend celebration. Most of the tequila cooks out of the bars in the oven, but just enough of the flavor remains to make these super margarita-y without being overly boozy. Olé!
PS- The lovely Rachel from Rachel Cooks featured me in a little blogger interview series on her site. Check it out!
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons grated lime zest
- ⅔ cup fresh lime juice (from 6 limes)
- 2 drops green food coloring, (optional)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 3 tablespoons tequila
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
- In large bowl, mix butter and ½ cup powdered sugar together with electric mixer. Mix in 1¾ cup of the flour on low speed, just until well combined. Press in pan. Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until set and lightly browned.
- Meanwhile, in large bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar. Add remaining ¼ cup flour and salt, mix with whisk until blended. Add in lime zest, lime juice, food coloring and milk and whisk until smooth. Stir in tequila.
- Pour the lime mixture over partially baked crust. Bake 25 to 27 minutes longer or until center is set.
- Cool completely and then chill in fridge until ready to serve. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into bars. Store bars tightly covered in the fridge.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Perfect for cinco de mayo … or any day!! Love these so much.
Jennifer | Bake or Break says
I’m a margarita fan, as well. The little Mexican place on our corner makes amazing ones. But, I digress…. These look fantastic! I have toyed with this idea for ages but have just never gotten around to baking them. Now, I can just make yours! :-)
Erika -Southern Souffle says
Eatable margaritas.. ? Brilliant.. :)
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I love all of the amazing food that Cinco de Mayo brings. These are amazing, Audra…wish we could share one of these and a margarita together!
[email protected] says
This looks SO delicious. I make key lime pie all the time, so I love fresh lime recipes. Love the margarita twist — very festive!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Such a cute, tasty and original idea for Cinco de Mayo! These look irresistible, Audra!
Tracey says
These bars are so pretty Audra, I’m loving the green color! Margaritas are definitely one of the best things about Cinco de Mayo :)
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Who could resist a cocktail in the form of a baked good… Not me! They look wonderful.
tara says
Best idea ever. I love lemon bars, I love lime, and I love margaritas. Hooray for Cinco de Mayo!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Love how you turned lemon bars into margarita bars! You see so many margarita cupcakes out there (including my own today) that it’s fun to see other desserts turned into margarita flavors!
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste says
This is pure genius! And we must be on the same margarita wavelength today because I just posted Skinny Margarita Popsicles :) Can’t wait to try these!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
These sound amazing, and perfect for Cinco De Mayo! I love the color – so pretty! Pinned :)
Tracy | Peanut Butter and Onion says
These look so refreshing. A must have.
Carolyn says
Wonderful interview… so nice to get to know you better!
Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe says
Such a genius idea! These would be the perfect sweet to end our Cinco De Mayo party…thanks for the inspiration!
xo, Elisa
Elizabeth says
Hey Audra,
These look great! Just out of curiousity, which type or brand of tequila did you use? I’m guessing a blanco just because you don’t want the flavor to be too overwhelming. Thanks!
Audra says
Hey! I actually used Sauza Gold- and it’s really not a strong flavor once they bake :)
Stephie @ eat your heart out says
Can we form a homebody club? But without having to leave our homes? :-P
These are so pretty! And such a fun take on lemon bars (one of my favorite things in the whole world)
Susan P says
Just mixed these up and put them in the oven. The lime mixture was pretty watery….hope that is how it was supposed to be! Love lemon bars and this twist looks pretty amazing.
Anne says
Do you think I could add a box of strawberry jello mix to the filling?
Vickie S. says
I baked these last night and brought them into my office this morning for Cinco de Mayo. They came out absolutely perfect and are a huge hit! Thank you!
Cindy stanley says
Can the margarita bars be frozen??
Audra says
I don’t see why not!
Gail says
Don’t get the milk tho….
Audra says
It helps make the filling creamy!
Cary says
These look amazing! Is there a substitute for tequila that I could use? Or would that alter the flavor too much? Can you really taste the tequila? (I don’t have tequila, but would love to take these to work for cinco de mayo.)
Audra says
You can just skip it! :)
Suzanne says
Made these for a dinner party. They were a real hit. Used lime triangles for garnish. Thank you for sharing!
Jolene says
Why are they refrigerated? I always make lemon and orange bars and never refrigerated them.
Emmy says
I made this today and it is SOOOOOO good! I used citrus tequila – an airplane bottle is just the right amount (ok a little was left so I just drank it hehe). I can’t stop thinking about eating more of it. These are going into my guest menu for desserts!! Thank you.