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Gluten Free Dairy Free Lemon Bars

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Tips For Making Lemon Bars

LEMON BARS | easy, healthy, gluten-free lemon bars

Keep an eye on the oven: The key to lemon bars is to not under-bake or over-bake the lemon filling. There is a slight difference in temperature per oven so make sure to reduce the temperature from 350°F to 325°F before baking the filling. Youll know when the bars are done when the center is set and no longer jiggles.

Use only fresh lemons: Dont substitute the fresh lemon juice with concentrate or pre-made juice. These bars are best when using fresh squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest. The recipe calls for ½ cup of lemon juice which is about 4 medium sized lemons.

Avoid white spots: Youll get white spots in your bars if you dont whisk the eggs enough for the lemon filling. I use either a whisk or a hand mixer when combining the lemon filling to minimize the chance of that happening.

Not vegan: This recipe is not vegan friendly. I do not recommend trying to use an egg replacement in this recipe.

How To Store Them

If you and/or your family and friends dont devour all these bars in one sitting , you can store them to enjoy again in the future.

  • In the fridge: the lemon bars will stay good for up to one week in the fridge in a sealed container. If you stack them, just be sure to place parchment paper in-between.
  • In the freezer: You can freeze these for up to 3 months. Just defrost them in the fridge the day before youd like to enjoy them.

What Makes These Lemon Bars Healthier

Ive made a few simple ingredient swaps to lighten up these lemon bars without sacrificing any of that nostalgic flavor. These healthy lemon bars are:

  • Naturally sweetened. Both the crust and the lemon filling are naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup instead of refined sweeteners.
  • Gluten free & grain free. Were using almond flour and coconut flour to keep the crust gluten free and grain free. Plus, these flours add a boost of healthy fats and additional, natural sweetness!
  • Dairy free. If you so choose! I have a few different options for adding moisture to the crust that suits any dietary needs.

Recommended Reading: Are Buzz Balls Gluten Free

I Wanted Classic Lemon Bars

Perfecting my gluten free lemon bar recipe to make it just right took a lot of time.

As you can tell from my monologue, I’m a bit particular about my lemons bars.

The biggest struggle I had was getting the texture right in the crust and the curd.

Getting my crust to hold its shape and not be a pile of buttery crumbs, and also getting my curd to set without it becoming pastey.

You can find another version of this recipe with a lavender twist in my gluten free lavender lemon bars recipe.

Gluten Free Lemon Bars Recipe

Healthy Lemon Bars (gluten free, dairy free &  paleo!)

Lemon Squares are a classic recipe everyone should know how to make. These Gluten Free Lemon Bars are so EASY, anyone can feel like a pastry chef.

Lemon Squares are easier than you might think. Baking is still a bit intimidating for me, as Ive talked about before. When I started this blog, I couldnt cook ANYTHING, and I for sure couldnt bake anything. Cooking seems to be so much easier to me.

Throw this in, leave this outmost recipes are easy to customize and hard to ruin. Baking is more precise. It seems like more of a skill. Along the blogs journey, Ive had some baking successes that Im so proud of! These Gluten Free Lemon Bars are a favorite.

Before I attempted this easy lemon bars recipe, my mom helped me make her famous Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Crinkles, I made an amazing Raspberry Moscow Mule Bundt Cake, and I tackled and perfected Mini Nutella Cheesecakes .

Todays recipe, GLUTEN FREE LEMON BARS, has quickly become one of my favorite gluten free dessert recipes on the site. They are SO creamy, dreamy, and EASY! Youll crave them year-round, but theyre especially perfect for Spring and Summer. Lemon Squares just cant be beat in my opinion.

These Gluten Free Lemon Bars are a must-bake dessert! I love the flavor of these Lemon Squares AND theyre easy to make.

Don’t Miss: Gluten Free Egg Noodles Recipe

How To Store Lemon Bars

Cool down the lemon bars first. Then cut them into squares and place them in an airtight container to be stored in the fridge for up seven days.

In the freezer, your leftover lemon bars can be saved for later. They can be stored for up to 3 or 4 months.

To freeze these delicious treats, cut them into squares, and freeze each bar for an hour. Then, wrap them individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe bag.

For The Eggless Lemon Curd:

  • Lemon Juice: Lemon bars need lemon JUICE! You must use fresh lemon juice for this curd. Bottled juice leads to a metallic sub-par lemon taste.
  • Granulated Sweetener: If you don’t want sour bars then you need some sweetener! Granulated sugar will sweeten up the lemon juice and once cooked, holds this thick lemon filling together.
  • Coconut Milk: Full-fat unsweetened canned coconut milk is what you need! It makes up for the lack of egg yolks and butter in classic lemon curd. The coconut milk makes this eggless lemon filling, thick, creamy, and delicious!
  • Starch: You can use cornstarch or arrowroot starch . The starch helps thicken the lemon curd and allows you to create stable and easy-to-cut lemon vegan bars!
  • Vanilla Extract + Turmeric: The vanilla is just to add some extra yummy flavor. It is optional since you already have some in the crust. The turmeric is just for color . If you don’t add the turmeric, your bars won’t be very yellow.

Recommended Reading: Bob’s Red Mill 1 To 1 Gluten Free Flour

Gluten Free Lemon Bars 1

You’ll need some almond flour, eggs, lemons, and sugar. That’s it. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

First you’ll zest a couple of the lemons, then squeeze them.

Use a microplane or the fine grating holes of a box grater to get off the zest.

Make up the crust layer: mix the almond flour, an egg, lemon zest and a bit of sugar. You can do this by hand or with an electric mixer. It’ll form a nice stiff dough. Crumble the dough into a pan, pat it, prick it with a fork, and pre-bake it a bit .

While that’s baking, whisk together a whole bunch of eggs, some more lemon zest, the lemon juice you squeezed, and some sugar – yeah, you’ll need some of that, but I’ve cut it as low as I dared for the best puckery flavour .

Now carefully pour on that luscious lemon filling, and bake it a bit more.

Dust with a bit of powdered sugar and you’re all set to impress the lemon-lovers in your life.

One bite of that chewy bottom crust layered with that intensely lemony, silky, creamy custard top and all my lemon wishes have come true.

These gluten free lemon bars are a taste sensation that would grace the table for any spring or summer gatherings, or also delicious for Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day, Ladies Lunch, Afternoon Tea, packing on a picnic, taking for a beach lunch, at a barbecue, or just for snacking anytime with a cup of Earl Grey tea.

If life gives you lemons – – – make lemon bars.

Are Lemons Gluten Free

How To Make Gluten-Free Lemon Bars | low-carb, low-sugar, dairy-free & keto-friendly

Rejoice! Lemons are naturally gluten free, so if you pick the fresh stuff from the grocery store, youre good to go.

Cant get fresh lemons? Dont fret. Many bottled lemon juices are also gluten free as they dont contain any gluten-containing additives. But as always, play it safe by double-checking product labels before you buyand try really hard to get fresh lemons since they just taste way better!

Recommended Reading: Gluten And Dairy Free Recipes

Do Lemon Bars Have Dairy

Lemon bars are typically made with butter. And some recipes use sweetened condensed milk to make rich and creamy lemon bars.

Both of these ingredients are dairy products. However, our special, gluten-free lemon bar recipe has no dairy ingredients. Instead, it uses vegan butter and coconut milk, making it a healthy, gluten-free treat.

How To Make Keto Raspberry Lemon Bars

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

Kitchen items you’ll need: For these keto lemon bars, I use an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish , but a square, non-stick cake pan would also work well. I highly recommend parchment paper for easy lemon bar removal. And if you choose to strain the seeds out of the raspberry jelly , you’ll need a fine mesh strainer.

Making the keto lemon raspberry bars is a three-step process. It’s pretty straightforward, but make sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to see all the details in the full recipe!

  • Bake the shortbread crust- In a medium bowl, combine the coconut oil, almond flour, coconut flour, one egg, vanilla, llinea monk fruit, cinnamon and dash of salt. Stir the mixture until a crumbly dough forms. Line the baking pan with parchment paper. Press the dough into the bottom of the pan, forming an even crust layer. Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Make the raspberry spread- While the crust is baking, cook the fresh raspberries and monk fruit together in a small saucepan over medium heat for about five minutes. When the fruit has broken down and the mixture comes to a boil, pour it through the strainer set over a small bowl to separate out the seeds . Discard the pulp/seeds and whisk the xanthan gum into the remaining raspberry mixture to thicken it slightly. Spread the raspberry across the crust, then place the baking dish in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to set the raspberry layer.
  • Don’t Miss: La Tortilla Factory Gluten Free

    Dont Forget The Parchment Paper

    These gluten free lemon bars are not going to be super firm when you pull them from the oven. Even after you let them cool and refrigerate them, youll still find the lemon filling to be on the soft side.

    For this reason, its imperative that you dont forget to use parchment paper when preparing your baking pan. Parchment paper will make clean up easier by creating a barrier between the lemon bars and the pan, but more importantly, the paper will give you the support you need to lift the squares from the pan in one piece.

    Are Lemon Bars Healthy

    Healthy Lemon Bars (gluten free, dairy free &  paleo!)

    Well, this one certainly is. The delectable vegan lemon bars have the following nutritional value:

    One serving of this recipe contains 203kcal, carbohydrates: 32g, protein: 1g, fat: 8g, saturated fat: 5g, sodium: 85mg, potassium: 59mg, fiber: 1g, sugar: 22g, vitamin a: 270iu, vitamin c: 5mg, calcium: 5mg, iron: 1mg.

    Fill up on this treat to your hearts content.

    Also Check: What Does A Gluten Free Diet Consist Of

    How Do You Know When This Gluten Free Lemon Dessert Is Done Baking

    The best way to tell whether these easy gluten free lemon bars are done baking is to give them a little shake. Wearing oven mitts, wiggle the baking pan, keeping an eye on the lemon filling.

    If the filling is loose, continue baking. If the filling barely jiggles and sort of shimmies from side to side, your bars are done. If the filling doesnt move at all, youve probably overcooked your bars.

    Gluten Free Lemon Bars: Frequently Asked Questions

    Are lemon bars supposed to be gooey?

    The top of the bars is essentially a sweet lemon curd. They will be thick and creamy and very slightly gooey. If they don’t hold they’re shape, you may need to let them cool longer or they could be under-baked. You’ll know they’re done when you tap the pan and they don’t jiggle in the center.

    Why do I have air bubbles on top of my lemon squares ?

    This is from the egg whites as they cook and can vary from batch to batch. It’s totally normal and easily hidden by the confectioners’ sugar.

    Can I make them dairy free?

    I tested this recipe with a vegan butter in the crust and they turned out perfectly! You can definitely use that to make gluten free dairy free lemon bars.

    Read Also: Gluten Free Bakery Portland Maine

    Gluten Free Lemon Bars With Coconut

    Gluten free lemon bars are made with coconut for a lightened-up version of everyones favorite springtime dessert! A crunchy topping, soft custard-like filling, and crispy shortbread-inspired crust combine to create the perfect easy lemon bars for holidays, bake sales, and more! Dairy free.

    • Pin this recipe for later!

    Gluten Free Dairy Free Lemon Bars

    Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Iced Lemon Bars | Jana Eats

    The only source of dairy in these bars is the butter in the crust. Thats good news if youre dairy-free. The crust should still turn out if you replace the butter with half Earth Balance buttery sticks and half Spectrum brand nonhydrogenated vegetable shortening.

    You can also use Melt Vegan Butter or Miyokos Kitchen Vegan Butter in place of the butter entirely. Watch the salt, though, since butter replacements tend to be quite salty .

    Read Also: Are Jelly Belly Gluten Free

    Tips About Making The Lemon Bars Recipe

    Follow these pro tips to make sure you make perfect buttery lemon bars every time.

    • Always use fresh lemon juice. Store-bought or bottled lemon juice may lack the flavor and freshness which makes all the difference in the world.
    • Measure liquids using liquid measuring tools. This ensures accuracy and a perfect balance of flavor.
    • Never scoop out dry ingredients, like flour, directly out of the container. Measure it by weight instead or use the spoon and level method. This way, you wont have a higher flour ratio.
    • Press the crust firmly in the prepared baking dish without any gaps to prevent it from rising on top.
    • Do a wiggle test to know if your lemon bars are done baking.

    How Do You Make Lemon Bars Gluten Free And Dairy Free

    Traditional lemon bars have flour in both the crust and the filling. The lemon curd is stabilized and thickened with flour, since the curd is baked and not stirred on the stovetop.

    Using a gluten-free flour, and making a few other adjustments creates an easy gluten free lemon bar recipe that makes perfect gluten free lemon squares every time!

    Also Check: Ben And Jerry’s Gluten Free Ice Cream

    The Right Gluten Free Flour Blend For These Gf Lemon Bars

    I do specify my gum-free gluten free flour blend for this recipe, which is made with a mix of mostly superfine white rice flour, plus potato starch and tapioca flour/starch. There is no xanthan gum in this recipe.

    Ive found that it makes for an almost chewy, gummy filling. Its not nearly as important for the crust as it is for the filling.

    You do need a scale to make the blend, but if you must purchase a blend to use, Id try using Cup4Cup. It contains xanthan gum, but less than Better Batter, and is a very light, starchy blend.

    Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars

    Gluten Free Lemon Bars (Dairy Free) ⢠The Fit Cookie

    So tricky.So very not vegan until now.

    Friends, vegan lemon bars made with just 10 ingredients, naturally sweetened, and gluten-free! I know, Im excited, too.

    The almond-oat crust is adapted from my Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars, and somehow ends up tasting reminiscent of graham cracker crust! Its my new favorite thing, besides this über creamy filling.

    The filling is comprised of soaked cashews, coconut cream, lots of lemon juice + zest, maple syrup, arrowroot starch , and sea salt. Thats it!

    I didnt know what would happen if I blended it all up and baked it, but it turns out, it ends up tasting like a lemon bar with a cheesecake-like texture. SWOON!

    Friends, youre going to LOVE these bars! Theyre:

    CreamyPortable& Delicious

    These would make the perfect dessert for so many things: Bridal showers , baby showers , study dates , office gatherings . Even if you dont have anywhere special to be, these would make a delicious treat to have around the house for snacking .

    If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment it, rate it, and dont forget to tag a picture #minimalistbaker on Instagram! Id love to see what you come up with. Cheers, friends! Now excuse me while I dive into one of these magical bars.

    Read Also: Are Honey Baked Hams Gluten Free

    Can I Add Powdered Sugar To The Top Of These Lemon Bars

    You shouldnt add powdered sugar to the top of these lemon bars like you normally would for egg-based lemon bars.

    When I tried adding powdered sugar to these lemon bars, it only seems to draw moisture out of the bars, so the powdered sugar disappears and youre left with a layer of moisture.

    I tested this several times and tried adding powdered sugar even after these bars had completely set and the top was dry, but it still didnt work for some reason.

    So instead of topping with powdered sugar, just add a little bit more lemon zest on top to decorate these lemon bars instead

    Gluten Free Lemon Bars

    These easy gluten free lemon bars just use 4 ingredients: lemons, eggs, almond flour, and sugar. They’re super simple and super lemony.

    • 2½cups almond flour
    • 2tablespoonssugarpreferably natural evaporated cane sugar
    • 1tablespoonlemon zest
    • 1cup sugarpreferably natural evaporated cane sugar
    • 1tablespoonlemon zest
    • ¾cup fresh lemon juice from 4 – 5 juicy lemons
    • powdered sugar/icing sugar/confectioner’s sugarfor serving, optional

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    Lemony Shrimp And Vegetable Stir Fry Bowl

    This healthful lunch and/or dinner bowl is loaded with vegetables: shallots, cauliflower rice, zucchini, green beans, and tomatoes. But thats not all. I top it all off with sautéed shrimp and a lemony dressing. A simple, easy, one pan meal that cooks up in minutes! And its is Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb and Keto compliant.

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