Description
A tangy, sweet, and buttery dessert made with just three ingredients for the crust and fresh lemon for the filling. These bars are naturally gluten-free, easy to make in 30 minutes, and perfect for dessert emergencies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (100g) blanched almond flour
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or almond flour for 100% GF)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, and grease lightly.
- In a medium bowl, mix almond flour, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons of sugar until it resembles wet sand.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a solid crust.
- Blind bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden around the edges. Remove and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, 1 cup sugar, vanilla, and salt until combined.
- Add fresh lemon juice and zest, whisking vigorously until sugar is mostly dissolved.
- Whisk in the all-purpose flour (or almond flour) until smooth.
- Pour the filling over the warm crust.
- Bake for 20 minutes until edges are set and slightly puffed, but the center still has a slight jiggle.
- Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes.
- Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight until fully set.
- Lift bars out using parchment overhang, cut into squares, and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Use blanched almond flour for a smooth crust, not almond meal. Do not skip blind baking the crust to prevent sogginess. Chill thoroughly before cutting to ensure clean slices. For 100% gluten-free, replace all-purpose flour in filling with almond flour or cornstarch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 35
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: gluten-free, lemon bars, almond flour, easy dessert, 3-ingredient crust, healthy dessert, nut-free option