There’s something truly magical about a dessert that combines tropical sweetness with a zesty twist, and the Mango Bars with Lime Glaze Recipe hits that spot perfectly. These bars feature a buttery, tender crust topped with a luscious mango filling brightened by fresh lime juice and zest, all finished with a shiny, tangy lime glaze that elevates the flavors to a whole new level. Whether you’re craving a summery treat or want to impress guests with a burst of sunshine on a plate, this recipe is an absolute crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly simple to make.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Mango Bars with Lime Glaze Recipe lies in its straightforward, vibrant ingredients. Each brings an essential element to the dessert’s balance, from the flaky crust to the tart yet sweet mango layer and the refreshing glaze. Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these tropical delights:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour for the crust: Provides the perfect base that’s tender yet sturdy to hold the mango filling.
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar for the crust: Adds subtle sweetness and helps create a delicate texture.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed): Makes the crust buttery and crisp when baked.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- 1 cup pureed ripe mango: The star ingredient, bringing natural tropical sweetness and vibrant color.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the mango filling together for that luscious custard-like texture.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar for filling: Sweetens the mango mixture perfectly without overpowering it.
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour for filling: Helps thicken the mango mixture so it sets beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice: Adds a burst of citrusy brightness that complements the mango.
- 1 teaspoon lime zest: Intensifies the lime flavor with aromatic oils from the peel.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for glaze: Creates a sweet canvas that balances the glaze’s tartness.
- 1–2 teaspoons lime juice for glaze: Adjust for your desired drizzle consistency and tanginess.
How to Make Mango Bars with Lime Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave an overhang for easy removal later. Mix together the flour, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt, then cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fork. You’ll want the mixture to resemble coarse crumbs—this ensures a buttery, flaky crust. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your pan, then bake for about 15 to 18 minutes, until it’s lightly golden and smelling like heaven.
Step 2: Mix the Mango Filling
While your crust is baking, whisk together the pureed mango, eggs, granulated sugar, flour, lime juice, and lime zest until silky smooth. This combination not only tastes delightful but also brings a beautifully bright yellow color that’s almost too pretty to eat. Once your crust is out of the oven and still warm, pour the mango filling evenly over it.
Step 3: Bake the Mango Bars
Return the pan to your oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the center of the mango layer is set and the edges begin to turn a light golden brown. This step is key to achieving that perfect custard-like texture without being overly runny. Once baked, let your bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack; this cooling step helps the filling fully set up for clean slices later.
Step 4: Prepare the Lime Glaze and Finish
To make the glaze, stir the lime juice gradually into the powdered sugar until you reach a smooth, drizzle-able consistency. When your bars are fully cooled, generously drizzle this tangy lime glaze over the top—this final touch adds a shiny, mouthwatering finish. Pop the glazed bars into the refrigerator for at least an hour before slicing to allow the glaze to set and flavors to meld beautifully.
How to Serve Mango Bars with Lime Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
To truly elevate your mango bars, consider topping them with a sprinkle of extra lime zest or chopped fresh mint leaves. These garnishes add a delightful aroma and a pop of color that makes each bite feel special, and they pair wonderfully with the citrus notes in the dessert.
Side Dishes
These bars are perfectly suited as a light dessert all on their own, but if you want to turn it into a more indulgent affair, serve alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped coconut cream. Both options balance the tartness of the lime glaze and add a rich contrast to the tropical sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist when hosting, try cutting the mango bars into mini squares and placing them on colorful dessert plates with edible flowers or laying them atop a bed of finely shredded coconut. You could also stack them with layers of fresh mango slices for a playful, layered dessert parfait that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover bars (which might be hard to believe!), you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Keeping them chilled preserves the lime glaze’s glossy finish and keeps the mango filling nice and firm.
Freezing
Mango Bars with Lime Glaze Recipe freeze well if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or placed in an airtight container. Frozen bars maintain their flavor and texture for up to one month—just thaw them in the fridge overnight before enjoying to retain their freshness.
Reheating
Since these bars are best served chilled or at room temperature, reheating is not necessary. However, if you prefer a slightly warmer bar, gently warm in a low-temperature oven for a few minutes, taking care not to melt the lime glaze or dry out the mango filling.
FAQs
Can I use frozen mango instead of fresh mango?
Absolutely! Frozen mango works perfectly—just make sure to thaw it fully and puree until smooth. This is a great year-round option when fresh mango isn’t available.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend for both the crust and filling, ensuring that it has similar baking properties for the best texture.
How ripe should the mango be for this recipe?
Use fully ripe mangoes that are soft to the touch and very fragrant. These provide the sweetest, most vibrant flavor, which is essential for that bright tropical taste.
Can I prepare parts of the recipe in advance?
Definitely! You can make the crust a day ahead and keep it refrigerated, or make the entire bars up to two days ahead and keep them chilled until ready to glaze and serve.
What if my lime glaze is too thick or too thin?
If it’s too thick, add a few drops of lime juice until you reach the perfect drizzle consistency. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar, a teaspoon at a time, to thicken it up.
Final Thoughts
This Mango Bars with Lime Glaze Recipe is a joyful celebration of tropical flavors that’s simple enough for even casual bakers but stunning enough to impress everyone at the table. The combination of buttery crust, bright mango custard, and zesty lime glaze will quickly make these bars a beloved go-to dessert in your kitchen. I highly encourage you to give this recipe a try—your taste buds will thank you for the sunshine in every bite!
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Mango Bars with Lime Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour plus cooling and chilling time
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tropical-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Mango Bars with Lime Glaze offer a tropical twist on a classic dessert, featuring a buttery crust topped with a vibrant mango filling and finished with a tangy lime glaze. Perfect for warm weather, these bars combine the sweetness of ripe mangoes with fresh lime for a refreshing, flavorful treat.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- pinch of salt
For the mango filling:
- 1 cup pureed ripe mango (from about 1–2 mangos)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
For the lime glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons lime juice (adjust for desired consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift out the bars later.
- Make the crust: In a bowl, combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15–18 minutes until the crust is lightly golden.
- Prepare mango filling: While the crust bakes, whisk together mango puree, eggs, granulated sugar, flour, lime juice, and lime zest in a bowl until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Bake bars: Pour the mango filling over the hot crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20–25 minutes or until the center is set and edges start to brown lightly.
- Cool the bars: Remove the pan from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the lime glaze: In a small bowl, stir lime juice into powdered sugar until the glaze reaches a smooth, drizzle-able consistency.
- Glaze and chill: Once bars have cooled, drizzle the lime glaze evenly over the top. Refrigerate the bars for 1 hour to set the glaze before slicing.
- Serve: Cut into 16 squares and serve chilled or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh mango for the best flavor; if using frozen mango, thaw completely and puree until smooth.
- The bars can be made up to two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
- Adjust the lime juice in the glaze to achieve your preferred consistency—more juice for a thinner glaze, less for thicker.
