I’ve got a gorgeous dessert recipe that’s as pretty to look at, as it delicious to devour — Gluten Free Lemon Bars are perfection in a pan!
Watch How to Make Them
Gluten Free Lemon Bars
These old fashioned Lemon Bars feature a glossy lemon filling on top of a buttery, gluten free shortbread crust. They are rich, tart, and taste like a treat your Grandma would serve while you’re visiting. Translation: they’re SO cozy and easy. The lemon filling tastes like lemon curd but you don’t have to stand at the stove stirring and praying your eggs don’t curdle. You know what we call that — an upgrade! These bars scream SPRING and are perfect to pair with a cup of tea and a good book. That said, they’re also elegant and delicious enough to serve for a bridal or baby shower, or truly any potluck occasion as they travel very well.
Ingredients Needed
Aside from the lemons, I can almost guarantee you already have all the ingredients on hand to make this Gluten Free Lemon Bar recipe, plus several ingredients are used in both the shortbread crust and lemon filling.
Butter: gives the shortbread crust richness. I haven’t tested these bars with vegan butter, but think the swap would work just fine. Sugar: is an essential ingredient in the shortbread crust, plus it balances out the tart lemon juice in the filling. Vanilla: is added the shortbread for an oomph of coziness. Gluten Free Flour Blend: a gluten free flour blend WITH added binder is used in both the shortbread crust and lemon filling to give it structure. I have tested this recipe with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour Blend. If you use another blend your results could differ slightly. Lemons: both lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice give this lemon bar recipe it’s pretty yellow hue and tart, bright flavor. Lemon zest won’t make the bars taste more sour – it just packs in the lemon flavor. Eggs: give the lemon filling structure and silkiness. Powdered sugar: The lemon bars will come out of the oven with a thin white crackle on top, plus some little bubbles from the eggs. This is totally normal, and completely undetectable with a dusting of sweet powdered sugar on top.
What Size Pan to Use
I feel like the debate over how thick or thin Lemon Bars should be is a hot one. I prefer thicker bars because I really love huge bites of that sweet-tart lemon filling, while my husband likes a more subtle, thinner bar. SO, I tested this recipe two ways: Alrighty – let’s bake!
How to Make Gluten Free Lemon Bars
Step 1: Make the Gluten Free Shortbread Crust
To the bowl of an electric mixer, or a large mixing bowl if using a handheld mixer, add softened butter, sugar, and vanilla then beat until smooth. Next add a gluten free flour blend WITH added binder plus a pinch of salt then mix again to combine. Again, I tested this recipe using Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour Blend.
Check out my little helpers! I think they might have a future in food blogging! ;)
Scoop the dough into a parchment paper lined baking pan then spread into an even layer with your fingertips. Use a fork to make shallow pricks all over the dough all the way to the edges then bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are just barely turning golden brown. Let the crust cool for at least 30 minutes, which will ensure the lemon filling doesn’t soak into the hot crust.
Step 2: Make the Lemon Filling
While the crust is cooling, whisk up the lemon filling. To a large bowl add lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and eggs then whisk to combine. Next add more gluten free flour blend plus sugar then whisk for 1 minute.
Pour the mixture over the partially cooled shortbread crust then bake for an additional 20-35 minutes, or until the center is set. Give the pan a little shake – if the center is still jiggly just keep baking.
Let the bars cool completely — COMPLETELY — then use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan, slice, dust with powdered sugar, and serve. I hope you love these deliciously sweet-tart Gluten Free Lemon Bars – enjoy!
More Fresh and Fruity Dessert Recipes
Blueberry Pie Bars Blueberry Lemon Icebox Cake Homemade Lemon Curd Berries in a Cloud Lemon Whip Fruit Dip Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake
Like this recipe? Share it with friends!
