Introduction: Indulge your taste buds with the tantalizing flavors of these Vegan Lemon Bars, a delightful treat that marries the zesty essence of lemons with a perfectly buttery shortbread crust. Whether you’re following a vegan lifestyle or simply looking for a delectable dessert option, these lemon bars are sure to impress with their vibrant taste and simple preparation.

Ingredients: The recipe calls for just eight simple ingredients, showcasing how simplicity can yield extraordinary results. From the melted vegan butter to the fresh lemon juice, each component plays a crucial role in creating the harmonious flavor profile of these bars. With options for gluten-free adaptation using alternative flours, these bars cater to various dietary preferences without compromising on taste.

Preparation: With a quick prep time of only 15 minutes, these lemon bars are perfect for busy individuals seeking a homemade treat. The process begins by crafting the buttery shortbread crust, a step that sets the foundation for the luscious lemon filling. Once assembled, the bars are baked to golden perfection, filling your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods.

Lemon Filling: The heart of these lemon bars lies in their vibrant lemon filling, bursting with tangy citrus flavor. Combining lemon juice, coconut milk, and cornstarch, this filling achieves a luxurious texture that perfectly complements the crispness of the crust. Optional additions such as lemon zest and a pinch of turmeric elevate the flavor profile, offering an extra layer of complexity to each bite.

Presentation and Serving: After baking to perfection, the bars are allowed to cool, imparting a tantalizing anticipation for the moment of indulgence. Once chilled, they are expertly dusted with powdered sugar, adding a touch of sweetness and elegance to their appearance. Cut into perfectly portioned squares, these lemon bars are ready to be served and enjoyed, whether as a delightful dessert or a midday pick-me-up.

Conclusion: In conclusion, these Vegan Lemon Bars stand as a testament to the beauty of simplicity in cooking. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a dessert that dazzles the senses and delights the palate. Whether shared with loved ones or savored as a personal indulgence, these lemon bars are sure to leave a lasting impression, offering a taste of sunshine in every bite.

Vegan Lemon Bars

The most incredible Vegan Lemon Bars, made with just 8 ingredients and lots of tangy lemon flavor! The buttery shortbread crust is absolutely perfect.

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 35 mins

Chilling time: 2 hrs

Total: 2 hrs 50 mins

Servings: 16 bars

Ingredients

Shortbread crust:

  • ▢1/2 cup vegan butter, melted
  • ▢1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • ▢1 cup all purpose flour
  • ▢1/4 teaspoon salt

Lemon filling:

  • ▢3/4 cup lemon juice from about 4 large lemons
  • ▢optional: 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • ▢1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • ▢1 1/4 cups full fat coconut milk, using mostly the white part
  • ▢6 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ▢tiny pinch of turmeric, optional for color (1/8th teaspoon)

For serving:

  • ▢powdered sugar, for dusting the tops

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8 by 8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang for easy removal.
  • Make the crust: In a medium bowl, add the mix together the melted vegan butter, sugar and salt. Add the flour and stir until combined. The dough will be thick. Press it into the pan with your hands, evenly and firmly. Bake for 16-18 minutes until the edges are very lightly browned. Set aside.
  • Make the filling: In a medium saucepan, add the lemon juice, lemon zest if using for even more lemon flavor, sugar, coconut milk and cornstarch + tiny pinch of turmeric for color, if desired. Whisk well to dissolve the cornstarch. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens. (see photos in post above for reference)
  • Spread the filling over the crust evenly, using a spatula if needed to smooth. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Transfer to the refrigerator for an additional 1-2 hours, or overnight, until set.
  • Lift the bars out of the pan with the parchment paper, dust generously with powdered sugar and cut into 16 squares.
  • Leftover bars will keep for up to 1 week in a covered container in the refrigerator. They freeze well, too. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. For gluten free vegan lemon bars, use an all purpose gluten free flour, such as Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 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