• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Events
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Margarita Bars

    Modified: Jan 18, 2024 · Published: Mar 5, 2018 by Ashley

    • Facebook
    • Email
    • Flip
    • Threads
    • Bluesky

    This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 9 reviews

    This post has been compensated as part of my ongoing partnership with Barlean's. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

    Take traditional lemon bars to the next level with the addition of fresh lime and orange, plus a salty-sweet garnish. Shot of tequila optional, but encouraged!

    I feel like I blinked and February was g-o-n-e.

    Between travel, sick days, and school cancelations due to this crazy winter weather, it's no wonder I feel like my productivity has plummeted over the last few weeks.

    Sometimes you just need a little extra TLC, and these Margarita Bars are the perfect way to show yourself a little love.

    Overhead view of a stack of dessert bars with a shot of tequila, and fresh citrus.

    My family loves lemon bars, and I thought it would be fun to try to create a spin on them inspired by one of my favorite cocktails - the margarita.

    My husband makes a killer margarita, and he's been doing this salt/sugar mix with lime zest added in around the rim of the glass lately.

    I decided to take that idea up a notch and make a mix that includes lime, lemon, and orange.

    Overhead view of mixing bowls and a juicer with fresh oranges, lemons, and limes.

    Now just to be clear, there is no tequila in these bars, but they go great with a shot alongside.

    Especially one rimmed with that salty-sweet citrus mix.

    A round cutting board with fresh citrus and a spoon and jar full of a citrus zest, salt, and sugar mixture.

    These bars include a healthy dose of citrus. When I was preparing the recipe, I zested a full lime, lemon, and orange, placing half of the zest from each into the bar mixture and half into a bowl of sugar and salt.

    I sprinkled a bit of the mixture on top of the bars after they cooled off, and saved the rest in a jar for future happy hours.

    A stack of dessert bars with a shot of tequila, fresh citrus, and a jar of butter flavored coconut oil.

    The other thing that makes these bars different is the use of one of my favorite buttery, non-butter products - the Butter Flavored Coconut Oil from Barlean's.

    I've talked about this deliciousness before - not only is it great for making popcorn that will rival that of any movie theater, but it can be used as a 1:1 substitution for butter in all recipes up to 375°F.

    I set out to put that substitution to the test by completely swapping out the butter in the shortbread crust for these bars and it totally worked!

    Overhead view of sliced dessert bars on a cutting board.

    After the margarita bars set, you can cut them into 9 squares. Note that I have never been much of an even bar cutter.

    I figure the variety of sizes makes it obvious that it's homemade, and gives you the option to have a piece that's a little larger or a little smaller without feeling like you have to eat two of them.

    If you're making these for a party, you can also cut them into smaller rectangles to make them beautifully bite-sized.

    Perfect alongside a shot of your favorite tequila for a sensational springtime dessert!

    A stack of dessert bars with a shot of tequila, fresh citrus, and a jar of butter flavored coconut oil.

    What do you love more - dessert time or cocktail time? Any other classic cocktails you'd like to see desert-ified? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!

    Looking for more dessert recipes? Check out some of our favorites:

    • Rich Cocoa Brownie Bites
    • Elvis-Style Frozen Bananas
    • Sweet + Salty Dark Chocolate Clusters
    • 5-Ingredient Samoa Cereal Bowls
    • Orange Scented Cannoli Dip
    • Double Chocolate Chip Cookies with Vanilla Icing
    • Dessert Nachos with Fresh Baked Cinnamon Tortilla Chips
    • Tolon’s Strawberry Basil Shortcake
    • Cranberry Orange Snickerdoodles
    • Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie with a Whole Wheat Crust
    • Chocolate Cream Pie with Orange Zested Whipped Cream
    • Great Grandma Francesca Cardile’s Cookies
    • Triple-Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
    • Ricotta Cookies
    • Grandma’s Christmas Cookies
    2 photos - one overhead view of a dessert bar with a shot of tequila and fresh citrus and one of the bars on a cutting board.
    Print

    📖 Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    A stack of dessert bars with a shot of tequila, fresh citrus, and a jar of butter flavored coconut oil.

    Margarita Bars

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 9 reviews
    • Author: Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen - Ashley Covelli (adapted from Joy the Baker)
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 35 minutes
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 9 Bars
    • Category: Dessert, Bars
    • Method: Baking
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Take traditional lemon bars to the next level with the addition of fresh lime and orange, plus a salty-sweet garnish. Shot of tequila optional, but encouraged!


    Ingredients

    For the Crust:

    • ½ cup butter flavored coconut oil, softened to room temperature, plus more to grease the pan
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

    For the Topping:

    • 2 large eggs¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
    • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • Zest of 1 lime, plus 2 tablespoons juice
    • Zest of 1 lemon, plus 1 tablespoon juice
    • Zest of 1 orange, plus 1 tablespoon juice
    • 2 tablespoons kosher salt

    To Serve (Optional):

    • Tequila


    Instructions

    1. Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 8×8-inch baking pan, line with parchment paper (so that it over hangs slightly from the pan) and grease the parchment paper.  Set aside.
    2. For the Crust: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment cream together butter flavored coconut oil and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add flour and salt and beat on low speed until it's incorporated into the dough.
    3. Dump the crust into the prepared pan and use your fingertips to press the dough into the bottom of the pan, spreading it around in an even layer and and making sure you get it into all of the corners. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until just browned around the edges.
    4. While the crust is baking, in a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and ¾ cup of sugar until well combined and slightly thick.  Add the flour, half of the lime, lemon, and orange zest, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of orange juice. Whisk until blended.
    5. Carefully pour the filling over the still warm baked crust. Return to the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until lightly browned on top and no longer jiggling in the center.
    6. While the bars are baking, combine the remaining lime, lemon, & orange zest with 2 tablespoons salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.
    7. Allow to cool completely in the pan. Run a knife around the edges of the pan. Use the over hanging parchment paper to lift the margarita bars out of the pan. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 9 squares. Sprinkle a line of the salt/sugar mixture diagonally across each bar.
    8. Serve the bars with a shot of your favorite tequila alongside, if desired, rimming the shot glass with the sugar-salt-zest mixture.

    Notes

    To store the bars, place in an airtight container separating each layer with wax paper. Store the remaining sugar-salt-zest mixture in an airtight container, and use it to rim your favorite cocktails.

    Recipe adapted from Joy the Baker.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 297
    • Sugar: 27.9 g
    • Sodium: 879.6 mg
    • Fat: 13.2 g
    • Saturated Fat: 10.4 g
    • Carbohydrates: 41.2 g
    • Fiber: 0.7 g
    • Protein: 3.1 g
    • Cholesterol: 41.3 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @bigflavors on Instagram and hashtag it #cookbigflavors

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    More Dessert Recipes

    • Espresso chocolate chip brownies on a serving tray.
      Espresso Chocolate Chip Brownies {Starbucks Copycat}
    • Maple cookies on plates with a pitcher of maple syrup alongside.
      Maple Cookies
    • Peppermint mocha in a mug garnished with chocolate and peppermint candies.
      Homemade Peppermint Whipped Cream
    • Homemade tiramisu in a serving dish with plates and forks for serving.
      Best Classic Italian Tiramisu

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy

      March 05, 2018 at 6:17 pm

      Well these certainly sound like fun. They would be perfect for any party...and great for movie night too. The flavours are fantastic...and adding that shot of tequila would be the icing on the cake for sure.

      Reply
    2. Elaine @ Dishes Delish

      March 06, 2018 at 8:42 am

      Oh, my word! Margarita bars? I'm in. I love the thought of these bars and how easy they look to make. And I didn't even get into how delicious they look! I will be trying your recipe for sure!

      Reply
    3. Patti @Patty Cake's Pantry

      March 07, 2018 at 11:14 am

      These margarita bars look so good. I can't wait for spring and summer, and citrusy flavors always make me think of spring. I immediately pinned this recipe because it looks so good, but I think I'll just have mine with a cup of tea. I think I might eat the whole pan, and if I had a shot of tequila with each bar, I'd be unconscious before I achieved my goal.

      Reply
    4. dixya @food, pleasure, and health

      March 08, 2018 at 2:54 pm

      one of my friend is obsessed with lemon bars..and she like margarita too so i think it will be right up her alley.

      Reply
    5. Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen

      March 09, 2018 at 9:17 am

      Such a great idea! I love the flavors you have going on in these bars - although I am quite partial to margaritas! 😉

      Reply
    6. prasanna hede

      March 09, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      All the flavors in there are so fun!These all are my favorite ones. yumm!

      Reply
    7. Monica | Nourish & Fete

      March 09, 2018 at 3:49 pm

      Yum! I definitely want to come to happy hour at your house - these bars are fantastic, and I'm loving that citrus zest mixture for rimming glasses! Great recipe. 🙂

      Reply
    8. Tamara Andersen

      March 11, 2018 at 2:51 pm

      Living in south Texas as I do, I'm all about the citrus. Your margarita bars look luscious! I love the combination of lemon, lime, and orange!

      Reply
    9. Amanda

      March 11, 2018 at 10:14 pm

      What a fun twist on citrus bars! I'm going to have to check out this butter flavored coconut oil, too. It sounds like it would have so many fantastic uses.

      Reply
    10. Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life

      March 12, 2018 at 1:27 am

      What a fun idea! I'm loving your orange and lime twist on the traditional lemon bar! And with a shot of tequila? Sounds like the perfect happy hour sweet.

      Reply
    11. Elena

      March 12, 2018 at 5:38 pm

      What a great idea for a party! I love boozy desserts and these bars look so delicious! With a shot of tequila for sure 😉

      Reply

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Ashley and I’ve been writing about food & recipes here at Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen since 2006. I want to help you (yes, you!) gain confidence in the kitchen so you are excited to cook at home for yourself and your loved ones.

    More about me →

    Favorite Summer Recipes

    • Fattoush Salad with Homemade Pita Chips
    • Spicy Salmon Poke Bowls
    • Elvis-Style Frozen Bananas
    • Smoked Salmon Roll-ups
    • Veggie Cream Cheese Roll-ups
    • Easy Instant Pot Herbed Potato Salad
    • Settino's Italian Bruschetta

    Refreshing Summer Beverages

    • Easy Homemade Cold Brew Coffee
    • Guava Cooler Tequila Cocktail
    • Peanut Butter Banana Milkshake with Bacon
    • Watermelon Sugar High Tequila Cocktail
    • Passionfruit Margaritas
    • The Grace Lane Graduate Gin Cocktail
    • Cucumber Moscow Mule

    Popular Now

    • Two slices of rhubarb custard pie on plates with forks.
      Rhubarb Custard Pie
    • Overhead view of spinach and cheddar quiche with forks.
      Baby Spinach and Cheddar Quiche Made with Fresh Spinach
    • Tray of cocktails made with watermelon, mint, lime, and tequila with a bottle of Tajin seasoning in the background.
      Watermelon Sugar High Tequila Cocktail
    • Close up of a few cucumber slices topped with a spiced chickpea purée.
      Falafel-Spiced Cucumber Bites
    • No Mayo Deviled Eggs: Skip the mayo in this appetizer favorite - guaranteed to be a hit at any party!
      No Mayo Deviled Eggs
    • Falafel in pita bread with toppings served with yogurt-herb sauce.
      Falafel with Yogurt-Herb Sauce

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Ashley
    • Press + Recognition
    • Events
    • Virtual Cooking Classes
    • Podcast
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up to receive delicious recipes and exclusive content right to your inbox!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.

    ©2006–2025  BIG FLAVORS FROM A TINY KITCHEN LLC | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    *Third-party advertisers may collect or use non-personally identifiable information to serve you more relevant ads.