Healthy Lemon Bars
Fresh, zesty, and oh-so-satisfying, healthy lemon bars strike the perfect balance between sweet and tangy. With a buttery almond flour crust that crumbles delightfully in your mouth and a luscious lemon filling that packs a punch of flavor, these bars are a fantastic treat for any occasion. Plus, they’re made with wholesome ingredients, making them a guilt-free indulgence you can enjoy any time.
Recipe Overview
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 45 minutes
- Total time: 4 hours and 45 minutes (includes cooling time)
- Servings: 16 bars
- Calories: Approximately 150 per bar
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup maple syrup (note: this is in the filling)
- ⅔ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup almond flour (note: this goes into the filling)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of fine sea salt
- Zest from 1 lemon
- Powdered sugar (sifted, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper or spray it with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups of almond flour and ½ cup of maple syrup to make the crust.
- Press the dough firmly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake the crust in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden.
- While the crust is baking, whisk together the filling ingredients in a large mixing bowl: the 4 eggs, ½ cup of maple syrup, ⅔ cup of lemon juice, ¼ cup of almond flour, ½ teaspoon of baking powder, a pinch of fine sea salt, and the lemon zest.
- Once the crust is done, remove it from the oven and slowly pour the lemon filling onto the hot crust.
- Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling looks set and is no longer jiggly in the middle.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely at room temperature. Then transfer to the fridge and let it chill for about 4 hours or overnight, until the bars are fully set.
- If you like, sift powdered sugar over the chilled bars before cutting and serving.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is a winner because it uses simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create a delightful dessert. The almond flour in the crust provides a nutty flavor and a satisfying texture, while the lemon filling brings brightness that many people love. Plus, the bars are not overly sweet, allowing the tang of the lemon to shine.
Serving Ideas
These lemon bars make a lovely treat for picnics, brunches, or afternoon tea. They pair wonderfully with a cup of herbal tea or coffee, making them a delightful addition to any gathering. They’re especially refreshing on a warm day!
Helpful Tips
- Make sure to let the bars cool completely before chilling them in the fridge to help them set properly.
- You can easily adjust the sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup to suit your taste.
- Lemon zest can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge if you have any extra.
- If you want to prep ahead, these bars can be made a day in advance; they actually taste even better after chilling!
- For a fun twist, try adding a few fresh berries on top before serving.
FAQ
1. Can I substitute the almond flour?
Yes, you can use other gluten-free flour blends, but it may change the texture slightly.
2. How long will these lemon bars stay fresh?
They’ll last in the fridge for up to a week when stored in an airtight container.
3. Can I use a different sweetener instead of maple syrup?
Absolutely! Honey or agave syrup can be good alternatives, but they will alter the flavor slightly.
4. Is it necessary to refrigerate the bars?
Yes, refrigerating helps them set and keeps them fresh longer, enhancing the flavors.
These healthy lemon bars are not just a treat; they are an experience! Refreshing, simple, and perfect for sharing, they’re bound to be a favorite. Give this recipe a try and enjoy every zesty bite!
Healthy Lemon Bars
These healthy lemon bars combine a buttery almond flour crust with a zesty lemon filling, creating a guilt-free indulgence perfect for any occasion.
For the crust
- 2 cups almond flour
- ½ cup maple syrup (This is for the crust.)
For the filling
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup maple syrup (This is for the filling.)
- ⅔ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup almond flour (This goes into the filling.)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch fine sea salt
- 1 whole lemon zest (Zest from 1 lemon.)
- powdered sugar (Sifted, optional for serving.)
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Line an 8’x8′ baking dish with parchment paper or spray it with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups of almond flour and ½ cup of maple syrup to make the crust.
- Press the dough firmly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake the crust in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden.
Filling
- While the crust is baking, whisk together the filling ingredients in a large mixing bowl: the 4 eggs, ½ cup of maple syrup, ⅔ cup of lemon juice, ¼ cup of almond flour, ½ teaspoon of baking powder, a pinch of fine sea salt, and the lemon zest.
- Once the crust is done, remove it from the oven and slowly pour the lemon filling onto the hot crust.
- Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling looks set and is no longer jiggly in the middle.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely at room temperature.
- Transfer to the fridge and let it chill for about 4 hours or overnight, until the bars are fully set.
- If you like, sift powdered sugar over the chilled bars before cutting and serving.
Make sure to let the bars cool completely before chilling them in the fridge to help them set properly. You can easily adjust the sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup to suit your taste. Lemon zest can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge if you have any extra. These bars can be made a day in advance; they actually taste even better after chilling! For a fun twist, try adding a few fresh berries on top before serving.
