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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Already had LIKED your page. My daughter is 8 and we are always looking for new recipes, so she can feel like she can eat NORMAL food. She also has type 1 diabetes. Cant wait to make the lemon bars. Thanks Jules
These look so yummy ! I’ve liked you for a long time on FB…does that count in your contest for the zester ?
Oh yes Brenda, no worries! You’re entered!
I liked your fb page, can’t wait to try these!
I “like” you on facebook!
I love your products. I’ve liked you on FB for a long time. A friend’s sister is gluten free too, so I gave her some of my, well yours, GF all purpose flour to make my recipe of lemon bars – they loved them! Your flour is awesome, thanks:-)
Thanks for sharing my/your flour and spreading the love, Sharon!
Oh…this is one of the things I miss so much!! LEMON BARS!!! I just “liked” you on Facebook too! **How did I NOT find you on there before? Glad I did
I’m glad I found your facebook page, I “like” it!
I just “liked” your page. My daughter is 8 and recently diagnosed. She LOVES lemon, so I am looking for lemon recipes. Thanks for offering this one!
How did I not see your facebook page before? Well, I “like” it now! Can’t wait to try this recipe! Four in our family are gluten free, and your flour is so wonderful! Just bought the “graham cracker” mix, too! Thanks for all you do on our behalf…
Hi Jules!! I made the Lemon Bars last night and they are awesome!!! I am new to discovering GF and the improvement I feel in myself. Thank you for your awesome web site and recipes. It is making my transition so much easier. I ‘liked’ your FB page a while back and I also would love to win the ZestN’est created by Beater Blade. It looks like the neatest new little kitchen gadget around
Susan – so glad you’re seeing an improvement in your health on a gluten-free diet! Glad to help with recipes!!
Thanks to your email in my inbox, I saw the zester contest. Liked on FB! We Love lemony desserts, but lemon bars are hub’s favorite.
I would have said my favorite lemon recipe was lemon bars, so how about lemon cookies?
Heather – lemon cookies sound good to me! Getting hungry inspirations!
I love these bars! Thanks Jules for making my life less complicated.
So happy to help Sharon! We can all use simplification in our lives!
I like your facebook page and can’t wait to try the lemon bars. My daughter has always loved them. Now she can have them again.
I liked you on facebook. Those lemon bars look incredible!
Lemon bars were my favorites before becoming dairy & gluten free. Thank you for bringing them into my current scope of eating. Kudos to you.
Lorie – So glad Lemon Bars are back on your menu!
This lemon bar recipe sounds yummy! Can’t wait to try it. Don’t want to do the facebook thingy so here’s my very favorite lemon recipe….lemonaide….which I believe is already gluten free!
I liked you on facebook. Looking forward to trying some of your recipes.
Hi!
Just liked you on Facebook and love how many recipes are gluten free. I have gastroparesis and I can’t digest wheat, so your recipes have been wonderful and helpful! Thanks for all you do!
Heather – so happy to be able to help!!! All the best to you!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I am a Facebook fan and am in need a a better zesting option.