These gluten free lemon bars will impress even the most skeptical folks in your crowd. Seriously delicious! And they’ll be seriously gone, so you’d better double the recipe!
I don’t know what it is about this easy little treat — maybe the mystery is in its simplicity — but they are universally loved and bring a smile to anyone’s face as they savor the subtle tart/sweetness that is so perfectly blended in a gluten free lemon bar. There’s just no reason not to be able to still enjoy that simple pleasure, gluten free.
Like anything else, the key is in the ingredients. If you use gritty rice flour or funky bean flours, for example, these creamy lemon bars will never bring the delight they ought to.
Use high quality, smooth and light gluten free flours, as in my gfJules™ flour blend. You’ll never look back once your recipes are this delicious!
Gluten Free Lime Bars
Oh, and how pretty are these GREEN lime bars?? Think St. Patrick’s Day or Earth Day or any day you want to add a pop of yummy green to your menu. Equally delicious either way.
Use lemons or limes, and even add a drop of food coloring to make these the perfect treat for St. Patrick’s Day!
Gluten Free Cherry Bars
Or here’s another fun twist: gluten free CHERRY bars! For Valentine’s Day, these are a great way to celebrate!
In place of the lemon juice, add tart cherry juice or cherry liqueur. In place of the lemon or lime zest, add a few diced, frozen cherries.
Reduce the cherry juice by 1 tablespoon if adding the diced cherries since they add their own liquid. You’ll probably also want to add a splash of food coloring to give the red some oomph!
Baking Tips for Gluten Free Lemon, Lime or Cherry Bars
A couple tips on making these treats. They’re super easy, but the first time you make the crust, you may think you’ve done something wrong because it’s very crumby.
Don’t worry! Once you press it into the bottom of the pan and then it bakes, you’ll be good to go! (line the pan with parchment paper for even easier removal and clean-up!)
To recap:
This is how the crust should look when you’re done mixing it. Do not over-mix it!
Then press it into the bottom of an un-oiled or parchment-lined pan (photo below is of a doubled recipe):
The crust is akin to a shortbread cookie, so it should be on the buttery-dry side before baking.
After it bakes, the top will be a golden brown. That’s the way it’s supposed to be!
Once you sprinkle powdered sugar on top, they’ll look and taste like the gluten free lemon bars you were looking for!
Enjoy these springy treats anytime you need a little sunshine in your life!
Gluten Free Lemon Bars Recipe
Gluten Free Lemon Bars Recipe
These gluten free lemon bars will impress even the most skeptical folks in your crowd. Seriously delicious! And they'll be seriously gone, so you'd better double the recipe!
Ingredients
crust ingredients:
- 1/3 cup (5 1/3 Tbs.) butter or non-dairy alternative (e.g. Earth Balance Buttery Sticks®)
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated cane sugar
- 1 cup (135 grams) gfJules™ All Purpose Gluten Free Flour
filling ingredients
- 2 eggs (or egg substitute of choice, such as 1/2 cup extra firm tofu blended with 1 tsp. baking powder)
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated cane sugar
- 2 Tbs. (17 grams) gfJules™ All Purpose Gluten Free Flour
- 2 tsp. finely shredded lemon or lime zest (don't skip this ingredient if making lemon or lime bars!) OR 3 diced frozen cherries
- 3 Tbs. lemon juice or lime juice or cherry juice / liqueuer
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- food coloring, if desired (yellow or green)
- Powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
Crust Directions:
Preheat oven to 350º F.
In a medium bowl, beat butter with a mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1/4 cup of sugar; beat until combined.
Beat in the 1 cup of gfJules™ flour until crumbly, being careful not to over-mix. Press mixture into the bottom of an un-oiled or parchment-lined 8x8x2 baking pan.
Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.
Filling Directions:
Combine eggs, sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and baking powder; beat 2 minutes or until thoroughly combined.
Pour filling over baked crust. Bake 20 minutes more or until set and lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars only when completely cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving.
Notes
This recipe doubles nicely when baked in a 9×13 pan.
*Note: if making cherry bars and using diced frozen cherries as well, reduce cherry juice to 2 Tbs.
Nutrition Information
Yield 20 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 70Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 19mgSodium 14mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 0gSugar 16gProtein 1g
Please keep in mind that nutrition information provided is per serving, which may vary. While we have taken care to provide you with the most accurate nutritional values possible, please note that this information may differ significantly depending on the exact ingredients and brands that you choose to use to make this recipe.
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Lemon Meringue Pie is my absolute favorite lemon recipe. Jules A-P GF FLour great for the crust!
I just found your guten free flour, I also “like” you on face book to keep up with all the new things you are posting….I also just gave samples out of your flour to my gluten free friends….I love the ideas you have for all of this gluten free cooking!!! Thank you so much!
Made your Lemon Bar recipe today! They were a big hit! Thanks
I like lemon bars
Somehow, I hadn’t found you on Facebook until you posted this contest! I now officially “Like” Jules GF on Facebook, and I’m looking forward to trying this recipe. Any suggestions on how to zest a lemon if we don’t happen to win the nifty zester? I never seem to zest very well
I have “liked” – or rather loved your FB page for quite a while now. Thanks for all the great recipes you create and share. Alecia
I “liked” your facebook page and I love anything lemony!
I am trying to teach several friends about the dangers of gluten, and enable them to eat well, gluten-free. I am constantly looking for websites like your own, and products to recommend to them in their journey. Thank you so much for all you do to help. The zester looks amazingly handy and compact. Would love to try one so that I can pass it on to others!
I have “liked” you for quite some time now.
I like you on Facebook and anywhere else I find you as your recipes are always A1!!!! I sure would love to win a zestN’nest
Jules, Liked your FB page and am still a huge fan and user of Jules GF Flour. I carried it with me form MD when I moved to Seattle. Hope I win a Zester.
I already liked your FB page. Would love to win!
hey Jules- liked you on FB and love the lemon bar recipe. i am addicted to all things lemon and have been making lemon bars for 30 years! when i had to go gluten free, i tried to make them and they were a disaster….until i got your flour! now they are the first dessert gone and no one ever thinks they are GF until they see me eating one- LOL! i want that zester!!!
Mhmmm…..zesty! I do miss lemon squares.
Thanks for the great giveaway! Would love to be a winner! I love anything made with lemon!!
Just found your page! I have a newly diagnosed 15 year old gluten free daughter. I’m excited to try your products!
Welcome Shelly!
I “like” your face book page. I am also interested in the GF noodles.
These are just like the ones I use to make using wheat flour. They are the best! Thank you.
Fantastic Marlene! So glad you loved them!
Jules…thanks for always being so awesome! Another great recipe!!!
Hi
My baking seems to keep sinking in the middle I am using the flax substitute for egg 1 flax to 2 water, how can I make my baking better, Very frustrated but still trying.
Hi Marie, I responded to your question on Facebook last night, but in case you missed it, there’s probably an easy answer (yay!) so don’t get disouraged! Do you have my newest book, Free for All Cooking? There’s a huge spread in there all about making subs for eggs in gluten-free recipes. I think it would really help! With the flaxmeal sub there are a couple things: I use 1 Tbs. flaxmeal to 3 Tbs. very warm water and you must let it sit for a bit to let it become viscous, otherwise it’s no different than just adding flax and water to your recipe separately. Also, when things sink, it’s usually because there’s too much liquid or it’s not cooked long enough. To help you with your specific issues, please email [email protected] so that we can walk you through your recipes and help you to get them just right! In the meantime, definitely look into Free for All Cooking!
I just liked your facebook page and now I’m gonna make the lemon bars,they look really easy and delicious.:) I also didn’t know about your facebook page and now will visit it often…
I liked ya at facebook, under ben wilson