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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I LOVE lemon bars and haven’t had them in years! I have been meaning to make lemon bars for some time and this lemon zester would make it much easier! Thanks for all you do for the GF community!
Okay, since I don’t do the Facebook thing and since I’m new to the GF world (I’m loving your site by the way!), I’ll enter by saying my favorite lemon treat lately is fresh lemonade (I know, how boring!). Totally refreshing though! Thanks for the great recipe and the giveaway!
I already “like” your page and your GF all purpose flour mix is the only flour mix I use. Last week, I made the GF chex lemon buddies and it was sooo yummy. I can’t wait to make these lemon bars!
I liked your page!
I find lemon bars are too heavy in fat content. Sometimes I feel local GF bakers substitute fat for gluten. But, in pastry the last thing desired is the development of gluten. I remember all the recipes from before said do not over stir.
Thanks for this delicious sounding recipe, can’t wait to try it. Liked you on FB too!
Just made the lemon bars… Yumm! Thanks for the recipe!
I “Liked” your Facebook page! So happy to have discovered it! Saw about the contests at @Earth_Balance on twitter
tweeted the contest as @textiff
my favorite lemon recipe has always been lemon bars – my grandmother used to make them for us when we visited
Now this is a recipe I have to try (and yet I’ve only been eating gluten-free for 2 weeks).
Liked your page on FB, too.
Can’t wait to give this recipe a try! Lemon is one of my fave flavours. Just ‘liked’ you on FB
Ah Jules, I love reading your blog! You are wonderful and I love how you continue to advocate, education and encourage those with celiac disease and other allergy sufferers. I’m so happy the rest of the world gets to share in the wealth of information and joy that you have for cooking and doing it in a healthy and safe way. I happily “liked” you on facebook.
Holly
Thanks so much Holly! You are so sweet! I am so happy that I can contribute and help others living gluten free; I feel very blessed that I have found a way to do so!
These lemon bars look great.
I “liked” your FB book page. Looking forward to checking our your flour and mixes further and would LOVE to win the zester!!
How could I not like your facebook page RE: lemon bars!?! Though lemon bars are my #1 (yes, preferred even over chocolate-based treats), I haven’t had them in the 3 years I’ve been GF. Thank you for helping to end that unhappy streak!
Carrie – so happy I could be helpful to you!!!
My favorite lemon item is lemonade. Maybe it’s really simple, but sometimes the best things in life are the simplest!
I’m a fan on facebook – that zester is awesome and those lemon bars look delicious.
I have “liked” you on FB. Lemon poppyseed muffins would be great!
Just found your site and ‘LIKE’ you on FB! I LOVE LOVE LOVE lemon bars! Thanks for sharing the recipe! I can’t wait to try it!
I just liked your facebook page. Would love to win a zester!
My husband is the celiac not me but since I do the shopping and cooking, everything GF falls to me! Your blog, along with all the others out there, have made all the difference in helping keep my hubby on the diet and me sane in this transition! The zester looks awesome and I’m a sucker for new kitchen toys. Can’t wait to try the recipe and give hubby a sweet treat this weekend.