Key Lime Bars

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (20 squared)
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 pkg. (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup Key lime juice or regular lime juice
1 Tbsp. grated lime peel
additional lime peel, if desired

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease bottom and sides of a 9-inch square pan with shortening or cooking spray.  In small bowl, mix cracker crumbs, butter and sugar thoroughly with fork.  Press evenly in bottom of pan.  Refrigeratae while preparing cream cheese mixture.
 In small bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Gradually beat in milk until smooth.  Beat in lime juice and lime peel.  Spread over layer in pan.  Bake about 35 minutes or until center is set.  Cool 30 minutes.  Cover loosely; refrigerate at least 3 hours until chilled.  For bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows.  Garnish with additional lime peel.  Store covered in refrigerator.

Yields:  36 bars.