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.
Pin it for later.
I liked you a long time ago. I love this recipe! My other fav lemon recipe is lemon cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting.
Diana – I, too, am a sucker for all things lemon! Your lemon cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting idea sounds divine!
I definitely miss lemon pie.
Cindy — have you seen my Key Lime Pie recipe!? If you love lemon pie …. I’m just sayin’!
Jules, I think Beater Blade should feature one of your recipes!
Clare – I’ll definitely suggest it, thanks!
I like (love) you fb page!
Thanks Sharon!!
I just “liked” your page and I love Greek lemon roasted potatoes!
I simply love lemon squares. I have a recipe that I use that people who are not gluten free request. The only problem is I don’t have a real zester.
I have clicked like on your facebook page hoping that I can win that wonderful zester to make more lemony treats.
Want to be in the giveaway. Not a facebook fan.
LOVE your blog and website.
Thanks
Yvonne- so glad you’re loving my blog!!! Happy to spread delicious GF recipes around!!!
I’m definitely a fan of yours on FB! My favorite lemon recipe is an old timey “Lemon Sponge Pie” recipe. Very refreshing on a hot summer day! Can’t wait to make these lemon bars for my family!
OOH Dawn, Lemon Sponge Pie?? I think I need the recipe!
Well hello there Jules.. How come this is my first visit to your page? So very happy that I found it. I love lemon and lemon bars are one of my all time favorite treats. I also found you on facebook and Liked .. I’m going to have to look around your page a bit and enjoy myself… gluten free is guilt free !! Have a Happy Day.. Jules ♥
Yes Jules, what took you so long to find me!? Welcome to my blog & FB!!!
Looks like a great zester. I have been a follower of yours since going GF about 2 1/2 years ago. Your flour is the only one that I have used, even though others have tried to get me to use other flours. Thanks for all that you have done for me over the years.
Thanks Shelley, so glad you’re happy enough to stick with my flour!
I must try these! Recipe sounds so delicious.
I’ve been buying your flour mix for a few years now and every recipe I try comes out fantastic!!! Thank you for making eating gluten free easier for all the moms that have young children with celiac disease. I have never tried Lemon Bars before but they sound delicious!! I know my daughter will love them!!:)
Ah Stephanie, thanks so much!!! Definitely makes me smile – so glad I can help!
Before I bought your flour and made some of your recipes, I thought I was forever doomed to never have a great tasting sweet again. I already liked your FB page!
No gloom and doom just because we’re GF, right Lynda?! So glad you’re eating tasty treats again!
Hi Jules,
I adore my Beater Blade – use it for most of my mixing, so I know I’d love the zest nest too.
I like sweet and tart at the same time, so will have to try your lemon bars, but I also adore Amanda Hesser’s lemony broth with gf pasta. It requires lemon zest too and is so good.
I have a recipe for lemon bars from a gfree cookbook and it is yummy. However, your’s looks much easier and fewer ingredients. Can’t wait to try!!
Julia – I’m all about easy recipes with just a few ingredients! Hope you like it!
Oh my Jules! Thank you! I cannot tell you how excited I am about these lemon bars! I’ve had some other gluten free versions and they just didn’t stand up. Can’t wait to try the recipe! Also – I love lemon meringue pie. My grandma used to make the best! I would love to make a gluten free version for my dad – so it was also friendly for me!
I am a FB fan, and I LOVE the look of these! I’ve been craving lemon bars for quite some time, so I’m excited to give these a try!
My grandma’s lemon bars (not GF) have been a favorite mainstay at my families gatherings for generations. These look just as yummy and I can’t wait to try them for a GF version at our next family event! The zester tool looks like a great tool.
Woowza, that tool looks amazing and I just made you lemon bars with my son last week and he definatly didn’t want to use the zester for fear of cutting his hand. The bars are fab.
I LOVE your recipe! I ‘like’ you on FB all the time:)