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 and lime zest make so many things better, and this zester would be great to have!!! I liked your fb page
I’ve liked your FB page for awhile now. Would love to win zester!
I liked you on FB. TheWomanIntheMirror
hey dot 4horses at yahoo dot com
I just “liked” you on faceBook!
Can’t wait to try your recipe. I haven’t looked, but do you have a recipe for lemon merange pie? I’m dying for some GF pie that actually tastes like normal pie!
Kris – have a look at my Key Lime Pie Recipe!
Kris – have a look at my Key Lime Pie Recipe!!!
“Liked” you and just wanted to say Thank-you for making GF easier to “do”!
Hi Jules! My 19 year old son made the lemon bars – oh your recipe is awesome.! I like lemon more than chocolate .
Lori – me too!!! And how cool that your son made these!
… liked your FB page and the lemon bars recipe!!! And now, I’m headed to the kitchen to make some dessert!! So glad I have your flour in the pantry!! My husband says his mouth is watering already!
have to try this! do you know if there is a GF sub for Goldfish?
There’s a company…I believe it’s called Annie’s, they make these cheddar cheese “bunnies” that are like GF goldfish…FYI
Just liked you on facebook. Would love to win. Lemon bars look awesome!
I am so ready to make these! Thanks. I love lemony things. I’m thinking a nice pitcher of iced tea to go along with them.
I “liked” your fb page. My son has been craving some lemon bars and this would be a wonderful treat! Thanks for the great giveaway.
I am not a “facebooker”, but I would like to share the most favorite meal EVER in our family. It is the requested meal of choice for all birthdays and other special occasions.
It isn’t hard to make GF–Dairy free is the challenge!
LEMON CHICKEN
8 chicken breast halves, skinned & boned
1/4 C flour
1/4 C butter or margarine
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
*1 tsp grated lemon peel :o)
*3 T lemon juice
*1/2 C whipping cream
1 C shredded Swiss Cheese
I QUADRUPLE the * items because we like lots of sauce!!!
Coat chicken breasts with flour. Melt butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts, brown; add salt, pepper, lemon peel and lemon juice; simmer 5 min. Preheat broiler. Remove chicken breasts from skillet; place in 9×13 baking pan. Gradually stir whipping cream into sauce in skillet. Pour cream mixture over breasts. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil about 4 inches from heat until bubbly.
Serve hot with sauce. Makes 4-8 servings.
Enjoy :o) ~~and I echo the praises of all the others in thanking you for sharing your talent and bringing joy to cooking!!
Kristen
Kristin – thanks SO much for the recipe!!! As for Dairy-Free, the only real complication is the Swiss Cheese. Have you tried MimicCreme or SoyWhip for dairy-free whipping cream? Earth Balance for non-dairy butter and then the Swiss issue … it would be a different taste, but I wonder if a combo of shredded dairy-free Mozarella + dairy-free Parmesan Cheese/or/Nutritional Yeast would give you a flavor you like here? Something to try – let me know if you figure something out that you love!!!
I already “liked” you on facebook. And this recipe looks so good…I really miss lemon bars.
I make these all the time; one of my favorite recipes!! They freeze really well too, even with the powdered sugar on them.
Liked you on FB!!! I have not yet tried your products, but plan on it as our whole family goes more gluten free! Lemon sounds so delicious!
Oooh,these are good! What I’m craving is Lemon Cheesecake Pie, with the sour cream topping!
“liked” you! Jules, you have some great recipes and products, thanks for making life better for all of us GF peeps! Now if we can just convince the rest of the population to go GF for their health…they would if they knew they could eat like this!
Lemon bars are one of my favorites! can’t wait to give this one a try.
Just “liked” you on FB for the contest. I’ve been interested in your products, but have not yet tried them. Your recipes all sounds wonderful!