These bright and tangy vegan lemon bars are the perfect combination of sweet and tart. The zesty lemon filling is made with fresh lemon juice and zest, while the buttery shortbread crust provides a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
These vegan lemon bars are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. They’re great as a dessert or a midday snack, and they’re sure to brighten up your day with their sunny flavor.
Vegan Lemon Bars
Course: DessertDifficulty: EasyServings
12
servingsPrep time
19
minutesCooking time
40
minutesCalories
250
kcalIngredients
- For the crust
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
- For the filling
½ cup vegan butter, softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup fresh lemon juice
Zest of 2 lemons
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- To make the crust, combine the flour, sugar, and vegan butter in a mixing bowl. Mix until the dough comes together and forms a ball.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Prick the crust all over with a fork and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and almond milk to the bowl, and whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Pour the filling over the crust and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the edges are golden brown.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely before slicing into squares.
Notes
- Make sure the crust is baked through and lightly golden brown before adding the filling. This will prevent the crust from getting soggy.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor. Avoid using bottled lemon juice, as it can be too tart or have an artificial taste.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing them. This will help the filling set and prevent it from being too runny.
- To achieve a smooth and creamy filling, whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth.
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Complete Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
12 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories250
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
9g
14%
- Saturated Fat 2g 10%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg 0%
- Sodium 210mg 9%
- Potassium 0mg 0%
- Total Carbohydrate
42g
15%
- Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
- Sugars 30g
- Protein 2g 4%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
How to Store and Freeze Vegan Lemon Bars
- You can store leftover lemon bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To freeze the bars, let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place them in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why are my lemon bars gooey?
A: There are several reasons why your lemon bars might be gooey:
- Underbaked: If the lemon bars are underbaked, they will be soft and gooey in the center. Make sure you follow the recipe’s baking time and temperature accurately, and use a toothpick or cake tester to test the center for doneness.
- Too much liquid: If the recipe calls for too much liquid or if you accidentally added too much lemon juice, the bars might turn out gooey. Always measure ingredients accurately, and follow the recipe closely.
- Too much sugar: If the recipe has too much sugar, the lemon bars might not set properly, causing them to be gooey. Make sure you measure the sugar accurately and adjust the recipe accordingly.
- Humidity: If the weather is humid, it can affect the texture of your lemon bars, causing them to be softer and gooier than usual. You can try storing them in the refrigerator to help them firm up.
- Overmixing: If you overmix the batter, it can create excess gluten and cause the lemon bars to be dense and gooey. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined and avoid overworking it.
- Improper storage: If the lemon bars are stored in an airtight container while they’re still warm, condensation can form and make them gooey. Allow them to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Q: Why did my lemon bars turn brown?
A: Lemon bars turning brown can be caused by a few different factors:
- Overbaked: If you baked the lemon bars for too long, they may have turned brown. Follow the recipe’s baking time and temperature instructions and check the lemon bars a few minutes before the recommended time to avoid overbaking.
- Oven temperature: If the temperature of your oven is too high, it can cause the lemon bars to brown on the top. Check the temperature of your oven using an oven thermometer to ensure it’s accurate.
- Pans: Dark or non-stick pans can cause lemon bars to brown more quickly than light-colored pans. Use light-colored pans and line them with parchment paper to avoid browning.
- Lemon zest: If the lemon zest is not finely grated or if it’s added in large pieces, it can brown during baking and discolor the lemon bars. Make sure to finely grate the lemon zest or use a microplane grater.
- Sugar: If the recipe has too much sugar, it can cause the lemon bars to brown more quickly. Make sure to measure the sugar accurately and adjust the recipe accordingly.
- Citric acid: If the recipe contains citric acid or if you added too much lemon juice, it can cause the lemon bars to brown. Citric acid can react with baking soda or baking powder in the recipe, resulting in browning. Make sure to measure the ingredients accurately and adjust the recipe accordingly.
Enjoy the delicious taste of these vegan lemon bars, and share them with your friends and family!
