If you’re seeking a dessert that tantalizes the taste buds and impresses visually, look no further than these incredible vegan lemon bars. Imagine a rich, “buttery” shortbread crust providing the perfect foundation for a lusciously smooth, sweet, and perfectly tart lemon filling. Topped with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar, these plant-based delights are so exquisitely crafted that most wouldn’t guess they’re entirely free of animal products. They embody everything you cherish in a classic lemon bar, but with a compassionate, dairy-free, and egg-free twist. Prepare to be amazed by their vibrant flavor and delightful texture, making them an instant favorite for any occasion.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Vegan Lemon Bars
These vegan lemon bars aren’t just a recipe; they’re a revelation for anyone who loves bright, citrusy desserts. Here’s why they deserve a top spot in your recipe collection:
- Authentic Flavor, Plant-Based Purity: We’ve meticulously crafted this recipe to capture every nuanced flavor and delightful texture you expect from a traditional lemon bar, all while being completely free of eggs, dairy, and other non-vegan ingredients. It truly tastes too good to be plant-based, offering a guilt-free indulgence that doesn’t compromise on taste or quality. Enjoy the familiar comfort of a classic dessert, now accessible to everyone.
- Irresistibly Gooey and Creamy Filling: The heart of these lemon bars is their filling – a wonderfully gooey and creamy concoction bursting with the perfect balance of sweet and tart lemon flavor. Thanks to the generous use of fresh lemon juice and vibrant lemon zest, each bite delivers an unparalleled zesty punch that brightens the palate. This filling sets beautifully, offering a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth experience that is simply unbeatable.
- Elegantly Versatile for Any Occasion: Beyond their incredible taste, these vegan lemon squares are truly beautiful to behold. Their cheerful yellow hue and delicate powdered sugar dusting make them a stunning addition to any dessert spread. Whether you’re planning a festive Easter brunch, a heartwarming Mother’s Day celebration, a baby shower, a wedding shower, or simply want to impress your colleagues at an office potluck, these bars are guaranteed to be a hit. And let’s be honest, there’s no rule that says you need a special occasion; a batch of these delightful vegan lemon bars can make any random Tuesday feel like a celebration!
Essential Tips for Perfect Vegan Lemon Bars
Achieving bakery-quality vegan lemon bars at home is easier than you think, especially with a few expert tips. These insights will help you create a flawless crust, a perfectly set filling, and beautifully cut squares every time.
- Ensure an Even Crust: The foundation of a great lemon bar is its crust. It’s absolutely crucial that the shortbread layer is spread completely evenly across the pan. Any thin spots will bake significantly faster and potentially burn, leading to an inconsistent texture. Conversely, overly thick areas will require more baking time, which can result in an undercooked crust or an overbaked filling. Take your time to press the dough firmly and uniformly into the pan for a golden, consistent base.
- Master the Filling’s Consistency: When simmering the lemon filling mixture, constant vigilance is key. You must stir it continuously to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan and burning, which would necessitate starting the process all over again. The magic moment to watch for is when the lemon filling suddenly thickens quite dramatically – this is your cue that it has reached the perfect consistency and is ready to be removed from the stove. This rapid thickening is due to the cornstarch activating, creating that signature creamy and stable texture.
- Achieve Pristine Cuts: For those Instagram-worthy, perfectly clean-edged lemon squares, the right cutting technique is paramount. Begin with a sharp chef’s knife with a straight edge. Before each slice, warm the blade under hot running water, then wipe it completely dry. Immediately make a single, firm slice through the cooled sheet of lemon bars. Apply even downward pressure, and remove the knife by lifting it straight up rather than dragging it horizontally, which can smear the filling and mar the edges. After each cut, wipe any residual filling or crust off the blade, re-warm if necessary, and repeat. This method ensures each bar is a picture of perfection.
Why Choose Vegan Lemon Bars?
Opting for vegan lemon bars isn’t just a dietary choice; it’s a delicious decision with numerous benefits. For individuals with dairy or egg allergies, these bars are a safe and delightful indulgence. Beyond allergy considerations, plant-based desserts often offer a lighter feel without compromising on richness or flavor. They are also an excellent choice for those following a vegan lifestyle for ethical or environmental reasons, allowing you to enjoy a classic treat made with compassion. Furthermore, using ingredients like coconut cream contributes a lovely texture and subtle richness that dairy simply can’t replicate, making these bars uniquely satisfying. You’ll find that plant-based baking opens up a world of creativity and flavor possibilities, proving that delicious desserts can be inclusive and ethical.
Diving Deep into Key Ingredients
The magic of these vegan lemon bars lies in a few key ingredients that perfectly replicate traditional textures and flavors:
- Vegan Butter: This is crucial for the “buttery” shortbread crust, providing the rich flavor and tender crumb usually associated with dairy butter. Choose a high-quality vegan butter stick for the best results, ensuring it’s melted but not bubbling for the crust.
- Unsweetened Full-Fat Coconut Cream: The secret to the filling’s incredible creaminess and body. It replaces heavy cream and eggs, giving the lemon layer a silky-smooth texture without any dairy. Ensure it’s at room temperature for easier incorporation.
- Fresh Lemons (Juice and Zest): The star of the show! Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the essential tartness and vibrant flavor, while the zest intensifies that bright citrus aroma. Don’t skimp on fresh lemons for the ultimate taste.
- Cornstarch: This acts as our primary thickening agent for the lemon filling, replacing eggs. It gives the filling that classic gooey yet firm consistency, allowing the bars to hold their shape beautifully once chilled.
- Ground Turmeric: While optional, a tiny pinch of turmeric provides a natural, beautiful golden hue to the lemon filling, enhancing its visual appeal without affecting the flavor.
More Vegan Desserts You’ll Absolutely Love
If these vegan lemon bars have captivated your palate, you’re in for a treat! The world of plant-based desserts is incredibly diverse and delicious. Here are some more irresistible vegan sweet treats that are sure to become new favorites:
- Vegan Banana Pudding
- Easy Vegan Lemon Curd (Dairy Free, Egg Free)
- Vegan Oatmeal Cookies
- Vegan Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
- Creamy Vegan Coconut Cream Pie
- Vegan Apple Pie
- Vegan Key Lime Pie
- Perfect Vegan Pound Cake
- Easy Vegan Thin Mints
- No-Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
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Classic Vegan Lemon Bars
Cheryl Malik
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegan butter melted but not bubbling
For the Lemon Filling
- 1 14-ounce can unsweetened, full-fat coconut cream at room temperature
- ⅔ cup fresh lemon juice juice from approximately 4 large lemons
- ¼ cup lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups granulated white sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
To Serve
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
Equipment
- Oven
- 9×13 baking dish
- neutral-flavored spray oil
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Silicone spatula
- Stovetop
- medium saucepan
- Whisk
- large wooden spoon
- Wire cooling rack
- sharp chef’s knife
- flour sifter or fine mesh sieve
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit (175° Celsius). Make sure your oven racks are positioned so your baking pan will sit perfectly in the center for even baking.
- Lightly spray the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking dish with neutral-flavored cooking spray. Then, line the baking dish with parchment paper, allowing the excess paper to slightly overhang the sides. This creates convenient “handles” for easy removal of the baked bars later.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup granulated white sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1 cup melted vegan butter. Stir these ingredients together thoroughly until a thick, cohesive dough forms. If necessary, use your hands to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated and the dough is uniform.
- Transfer the prepared dough to your lined baking dish. Use your hands to gently but firmly flatten the dough into an even layer, completely covering the entire bottom of the dish. This ensures a consistent crust texture.
- Place the baking dish with the crust into the preheated oven. Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a very light golden brown. Keep a close eye on it to prevent over-browning.
- Once the crust’s edges are lightly browned, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and set it aside to cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
- Place a medium saucepan on your stovetop over medium-low heat. Add the 1 14-ounce can unsweetened, full-fat coconut cream (ensure it’s at room temperature for smooth mixing), ⅔ cup fresh lemon juice, ¼ cup lemon zest, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 ½ cups granulated white sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅓ cup cornstarch, and ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric (for color, if using).
- Whisk all the ingredients together in the saucepan until they are completely combined and the mixture becomes warm. Once warm, switch to a large wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula and stir the mixture constantly. Continue stirring until the mixture suddenly thickens quite dramatically – this is the sign that your lemon filling is perfectly cooked and ready.
- Immediately after the mixture has thickened, carefully pour the hot lemon filling over the par-baked and cooled shortbread crust. Use your silicone spatula to gently and evenly spread the lemon filling mixture, ensuring it covers the crust completely from edge to edge.
- Return the baking dish, now with both crust and filling, to the preheated oven. Bake the lemon bars for an additional 15 minutes, or until the lemon filling is set and no longer jiggly in the center.
- Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and place it on a wire cooling rack. Allow the lemon bars to cool at room temperature for a full hour. This gradual cooling is essential for proper setting.
- After the initial hour of cooling at room temperature, transfer the baking dish to the refrigerator. Chill the lemon bars for at least 2 hours. This extended chilling time is critical for the filling to firm up completely and for the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Once fully chilled, remove the baking dish from the refrigerator. Use the overhanging parchment paper as “handles” to carefully lift the entire sheet of lemon bars out of the baking dish. Place the parchment paper with the lemon bars on a clean, flat work surface.
- Employ your sharp chef’s knife and the clean-cutting technique (warm and dry the blade before each cut) to carefully slice the sheet of lemon bars into individual squares. Depending on your preferred size, you can create 9 to 18 individual lemon bars.
- For the final touch, add the ⅓ cup powdered sugar to a flour sifter or a fine mesh sieve. Lightly dust the tops of the cut lemon bars with powdered sugar just before serving. Serve these delightful bars as a refreshing dessert or a sweet treat anytime.
Notes
- Storage: To maintain their freshness and perfect texture, refrigerate any leftover vegan lemon bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They taste wonderful chilled!
Serving and Customization Suggestions
These vegan lemon bars are perfect as they are, but a few touches can elevate them even further. Serve them chilled, allowing their refreshing tartness to shine. For a more elegant presentation, consider garnishing with a few fresh lemon slices or delicate mint leaves. Want to get creative? Try folding in a tablespoon of finely chopped fresh ginger into the lemon filling for a subtle spicy kick. Alternatively, experiment with a different crust base, perhaps a gluten-free shortbread for those with sensitivities, or a coconut-flour based crust for added flavor. A sprinkle of toasted shredded coconut on top of the powdered sugar can also add a delightful texture and tropical note. The possibilities are endless for making these bars uniquely yours!
Nutrition Information
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.