Brighten your day with these Delicious Gluten Free Lemon Bars, a perfectly tart and sweet treat that’s surprisingly easy to whip up. This recipe is your golden ticket to a homemade dessert that everyone can enjoy, free from gluten and full of sunshine.
Key Ingredients for Delicious Gluten Free Lemon Bars
- For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (or your favorite blend)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- For the Lemon Filling:
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from about 1 large lemon)
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2–3 large lemons)
- ½ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
How to Make Delicious Gluten Free Lemon Bars
These Delicious Gluten Free Lemon Bars are a testament to simplicity and fantastic flavor, making them a truly satisfying dessert experience. The buttery, crumbly crust perfectly complements the vibrant, tangy lemon filling, creating a delightful contrast in textures and tastes. With a preparation time of just 25 minutes and a baking time of 30-35 minutes, you’ll have a sunny treat ready to delight your senses in no time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. This will prevent sticking and make lifting out your finished bars a breeze.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend and granulated sugar for the crust, along with the salt. Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the Crust: Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Make sure to press it down firmly to create an even layer. You can use the bottom of a glass or your hands for this step.
- Blind Bake the Crust: Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges. This helps to prevent a soggy bottom in your finished lemon bars.
- Prepare the Lemon Filling: While the crust is baking, prepare the lemon filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Add Zest and Juice: Stir in the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice into the egg and sugar mixture. This is where all that bright, citrusy flavor comes from!
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually whisk in the ½ cup of gluten-free all-purpose flour until the filling is smooth and there are no lumps. Don’t overmix, just ensure the flour is fully incorporated.
- Pour and Bake: Carefully pour the lemon filling evenly over the partially baked crust.
- Bake Until Set: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is just slightly jiggly. Overbaking can cause the filling to crack, so keep an eye on it.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and let the lemon bars cool completely on a wire rack. This is a crucial step for the filling to set properly.
- Chill and Cut: Once completely cooled, refrigerate the lemon bars for at least 2 hours, or until firm, before cutting. Chilling makes them easier to slice cleanly.
- Dust and Serve: Once chilled and firm, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Dust generously with powdered sugar, if desired, and cut into squares or bars.
Why You’ll Love This Delicious Gluten Free Lemon Bars
You’ll absolutely fall in love with these Delicious Gluten Free Lemon Bars for so many reasons! Their star attraction is the unbelievably zesty and creamy lemon filling that hits just the right balance of tart and sweet, all atop a perfectly crumbly gluten-free crust. Making these at home is not only incredibly satisfying but also a fantastic cost-saving alternative to store-bought treats, allowing you to whip up a batch of sunshine for a fraction of the price. The vibrant lemon flavor is so uplifting, and a light dusting of powdered sugar adds just the right touch of sweetness, making them a delightful, guilt-free indulgence.
These aren’t just any lemon bars; they are a bright ray of sunshine in dessert form, promising pure happiness with every bite. Imagine the burst of refreshing citrus – it’s like a mini-vacation for your taste buds! If you adore the classic sweetness of shortbread cookies but crave that exhilarating tang of lemon, these bars offer the best of both worlds in a perfectly portable package. So why wait? Gather your ingredients and treat yourself to these incredible Delicious Gluten Free Lemon Bars today – your kitchen (and your palate) will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To keep your Delicious Gluten Free Lemon Bars tasting their best, proper storage is key.
- Refrigeration: Store leftover lemon bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. The chill helps maintain the firmness of the lemon filling.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted lemon bars. Cut them into individual portions and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: Lemon bars are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If you prefer them slightly warmer, you can let them sit out on the counter for about 20-30 minutes after refrigeration. Avoid reheating them in the oven or microwave as this can cause the lemon filling to become mushy. If reheating from frozen, allow the bars to thaw completely in the refrigerator before bringing them to room temperature.
Final Thoughts
These Delicious Gluten Free Lemon Bars are a simple yet spectacular way to enjoy a classic dessert, made accessible for everyone. We encourage you to give this recipe a try; you’ll be amazed at how easy and rewarding it is to bake these bright, flavorful bars from scratch.
Delicious Gluten Free Lemon Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. This will prevent sticking and make lifting out your finished bars a breeze.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend and granulated sugar for the crust, along with the salt. Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.1.5 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, 0.33 cup granulated sugar, 0.5 teaspoon salt, 0.5 cup unsalted butter
- Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Make sure to press it down firmly to create an even layer. You can use the bottom of a glass or your hands for this step.
- Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges. This helps to prevent a soggy bottom in your finished lemon bars.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the lemon filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until well combined and slightly frothy.4 large eggs, 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- Stir in the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice into the egg and sugar mixture. This is where all that bright, citrusy flavor comes from!1 teaspoon lemon zest, 0.5 cup fresh lemon juice
- Gradually whisk in the ½ cup of gluten-free all-purpose flour until the filling is smooth and there are no lumps. Don’t overmix, just ensure the flour is fully incorporated.0.5 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
- Carefully pour the lemon filling evenly over the partially baked crust.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is just slightly jiggly. Overbaking can cause the filling to crack, so keep an eye on it.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the lemon bars cool completely on a wire rack. This is a crucial step for the filling to set properly.
- Once completely cooled, refrigerate the lemon bars for at least 2 hours, or until firm, before cutting. Chilling makes them easier to slice cleanly.
- Once chilled and firm, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Dust generously with powdered sugar, if desired, and cut into squares or bars.1 opt powdered sugar