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Home » Dessert » The Best Gluten-Free Lemon Bar Recipe You’ll Ever Make

The Best Gluten-Free Lemon Bar Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Last Updated June 4, 2024. Published May 23, 2018 Good For You Gluten Free

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The Best Gluten-Free Lemon Bar Recipe You’ll Ever Make
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Get ready to make the best gluten-free lemon bars ever, complete with a thick custardy citrus filling set atop a sweet and crumbly shortbread crust. You won’t miss the gluten, I promise! The recipe was updated in January 2024 to add more lemon filling on top and to improve the photos. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosures.

Following a strict gluten-free diet can be challenging, especially when trying to navigate the world of gluten-free baking.

When you have celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or gluten intolerance, baking can feel like a contact sport when you can’t use gluten, a protein found in wheat (wheat flour), rye, and barley. Gluten is the “glue” that holds baked goods together.

Today, however, I’m going to show you how to make a classic lemon bar recipe that will make you love dessert again – especially lemon desserts.

These lemon bars are bursting with citrusy goodness, and they, simply put, melt in your mouth. They are proof that living a gluten-free lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorite sweet treats.

This recipe is based on my mother-in-law’s recipe for traditional lemon bars, which are made with gluten. I took her recipe, made it gluten-free, and added a thicker layer of lemony deliciousness.

The results are excellent, and these gluten-free lemon bars truly look as impressive as they taste!

stack of lemon bars with lemon wedge on top

Ingredients for Making Lemon Bars

These gluten-free lemon squares have both a shortbread bottom and a lemon custard topping.

(1) For the delicious shortbread crust, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Gluten-Free Flour: You’ll need 1 1/3 cups of a gluten-free flour blend, one that contains a mixture of rice flour, starches, and xanthan gum. I use Bob’s Red Mill’s 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend, but you could use any 1-to-1 gluten-free flour you like.

I have not tested this recipe with almond flour or coconut flour. If you want to bake with these flours, I suggest you find a recipe that uses either or both flours.

Sugar: You’ll need 1/4 cup of granulated white sugar to sweeten the shortbread crust.

Butter: You’ll also need 1/2 cup of softened butter. I sometimes use vegan butter, like Earth Balance buttery sticks, when making a dairy-free option.

ingredients for lemon bars

(2) For the lemon filling, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Eggs: This recipe requires three large eggs. My prior recipe only called for two eggs, but I noticed that adding an extra egg made the filling more complete and delicious. I don’t have an egg-free version of this recipe, however. Lemon bars are an egg-heavy recipe, so they do not fit well within a vegan diet.

Sugar: You’ll need one full cup of granulated sugar. This is 1/4 cup more than my original recipe and accounts for the extra egg and additional flour required to make an extra tall custardy filling.

Gluten-Free Flour: You’ll need three tablespoons of gluten-free flour. I used Bob’s Red Mill’s 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend.

Lemons: For this recipe, you’ll use two large lemons or three small lemons. You’ll use both the zest and juice, and you can adjust how much zest and juice you add depending on how lemony you like it. Always use fresh lemons.

Some people use Meyer lemons instead of regular lemons. A regular lemon gives the recipe a tart and tangy taste, while a Meyer lemon is more sweet than tart. You can use either type of lemon in this recipe.

How To Make the Lemon Bar Crust

To make the lemon bar crust, combine all the crust ingredients (flour, sugar, and softened butter) in your standing or handheld electric mixer. Mix the ingredients well using your mixer for about 1-2 minutes. You’ll wind up with a crumbly crust that, when pressed together, will form the solid base for your lemon bars.

Add the crumbly mixture to a greased 8×8″ square glass baking dish. If using a metal 8×8 baking pan, line the bottom with parchment paper and coat the bottom and sides with cooking oil.

crumbly crust in pan

Press the mixture in place with your fingers to form an even layer of crust. Use the palms of your hands to help flatten the crust. Below is what the mixture looks like once the crumbs are pressed into a solid foundation.

Before adding the custard filling, par-bake the crust for 17-18 minutes until it’s set, as pictured below.

parbaked crust

How to Make the Lemon Bar Filling

While the crust is baking, prepare the lemon bar filling. To do this, combine all the filling ingredients (sugar, eggs, flour, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice) in a medium or large bowl and whisk until well combined.

Once the crust is par-baked, pour the egg mixture on top of it. Although unnecessary, you can lightly bang the dish against the countertop to eliminate any air bubbles in the egg mixture.

Place the dish back into the oven to continue baking for another 18-20 minutes until the lemon topping is set and the edges are slightly golden brown.

pouring lemon filling on top of crust

Allow the mixture to cool completely before cutting into it and definitely before topping it with powdered sugar (optional). Remember, if you put powdered sugar on top of warm lemon bars, the lemon bars will absorb the sugar, and they won’t look as pretty.

Sprinkle the powdered sugar on top only when the lemon bars are fully cool and just before serving.

sprinkling lemon bars with powdered sugar

To speed up the cooling process, allow the lemon bars to come to room temperature for about 30-60 minutes, then cover them with aluminum foil or plastic wrap before placing them in the fridge. The cold air from the refrigerator will help the custard filling to firm up and set. Leaving them in the fridge overnight nets the best results, ensuring they cut more beautifully.

cut lemon square inside baking pan

Another strategy for cutting the lemon bars so they look clean is to use a sharp knife that you run under hot water for 10 seconds. Dry the knife, then cut into the cold lemon bars. You’ll get a clean cut every time. Clean and reheat your knife between cuts.

lemon square on board

You can cut them into nine large squares or 16 small bite-sized squares. The ones pictured are cut into large squares.

Tip! Trim off the edges to ensure the lemon bars are evenly shaped and pretty when cutting them. You can eat the edges as a reward for your hard work.

Leftover lemon bars should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They will last for 5-6 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them for more extended storage. Do not add the powdered sugar until just before serving.

Why I Love These Lemon Bars

These gluten-free lemon bars have a lot going for them, and they, indeed, are one of my favorite non-chocolate desserts.

Flaky and Buttery Crust: These lemon bars boast a flaky and buttery crust that melts in your mouth. The crust holds together just enough to keep the lemon bars stable but falls apart once you put them in your mouth. Perfection!

stack of lemon bars

Ultra-Lemon Flavor: One of the best parts of these lemon bars is the creamy lemon bar filling, which boasts a vibrant lemon flavor. You can taste the fresh-squeezed lemon and lemon zest. Some lemon bars use artificial lemon extract, but these lemon bars are flavored with natural lemon flavors.

Smooth Custard Filling: The lemon bars’ filling offers a smooth and velvety texture that almost melts on your tongue. It’s slightly tart and slightly sweet, and the whole concoction works harmoniously together.

They’re Beautiful: These gluten-free lemon bars are bright and beautiful. The irresistible combination of a lemony custard filling atop a flaky shortbread crust makes me feel like I’m eating a little piece of sunshine.

stack of lemon bars on yellow plate

I hope you enjoy this ultimate gluten-free lemon bar recipe, which is for lemon lovers only. I know it will delight your taste buds without compromising your gluten-free diet or health.

Enjoy them at a picnic, baby shower, wedding shower, potluck party, summer barbecue, holiday party, for Valentine’s Day, and more!

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The Best Gluten-Free Lemon Bar Recipe You’ll Ever Make

These gluten-free lemon bars boast a flaky, buttery shortbread crust and a vibrant, velvety smooth lemon filling. They're also incredibly easy to make!
4.26 from 27 votes
Print Pin
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: gluten-free lemon bars, lemon bar recipe, lemon bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 36 minutes minutes
Cooling time: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 9 squares
Calories: 297kcal
Author: Jenny Levine Finke

Equipment

  • 1 standing or handheld electric mixer
  • 1 8×8 square glass baking dish
  • 1 lemon zester

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 1/3 cups gluten-free flour blend I used Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup softened butter room temperature

Filling

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 Tbsps gluten-free flour blend I used Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend
  • 2-3 lemons, zest and juice 2 large / 3 small lemons, adjust depending on how citrusy you like it

Topping

  • 2 Tbsp powdered sugar reserve for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350º degrees F and grease an 8×8 glass baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Set aside.
  • Combine all the crust ingredients in the bowl attached to your standing mixer (or use your hand mixer). Use the low setting on your mixer to mix the ingredients for about 1-2 minutes until well combined. You will end up with a crumbly mixture. Add the crumbly mixture to your baking dish and press the mixture firmly to form an even layer crust.
  • Par-bake the crust for 17-18 minutes until the edges start to lightly brown. Remove it from the oven.
  • While the crust is baking, combine all the filling ingredients in a medium or large bowl and whisk until well combined.
  • Pour the egg mixture over the par-baked hot crust and continue baking the lemon bars for 18-20 minutes until the filling is set and the edges just begin to brown.
  • Allow the lemon bars to fully cool in the baking dish before slicing, preferably overnight in the fridge. It's easier to cut the lemon bars when they're cold. I usually allow them to come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes, then cover them with plastic wrap and put them in the fridge. The cold air will help the filling set in place and make them easier to slice.
  • Cut into 9 large or 16 small squares and top with powdered sugar just before serving (optional).

Notes

Properly Cooling the Lemon Bars: Cutting into your lemon bars when warm will result in a disaster. When you remove the lemon bars from the oven, allow them to cool at room temperature for about an hour. Cover with plastic wrap and then put the baking dish in your fridge to continue cooling. The cooling process is key for the custard filling to firmly set in place. I typically refrigerate my lemon bars overnight or for at least two hours before cutting them into squares. 
Cutting the Perfect Square: To get the perfect square cut, trim off the edges with a knife. Run the knife under hot water for 10 seconds, dry off the knife, then cut into the cold bars. Repeat these steps until you’ve cut all the lemon bars. 
No Eggs? I have not tested an egg-free version of this recipe (and I’m not sure if it would work). I don’t recommend making this recipe if you can’t eat eggs.
Make It Dairy-Free?  You can use dairy-free butter or palm shortening to make this recipe dairy-free.
Metal Pan: If using a metal 8×8 baking pan, line the bottom with parchment paper and coat the bottom and sides with cooking oil.
Use Fresh Lemons: Always use fresh lemon juice and zest. Avoid using lemon extract.  You can use sweet Meyer lemons or plain old grocery store lemons.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 406IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @GoodForYouGlutenFree or tag #goodforyouglutenfree!

Filed Under: Brownies & Bars, Dessert

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Hi, I'm Jenny Levine Finke and am passionate about the gluten-free lifestyle. I'm a certified integrative nutrition coach and self-taught expert on [most] gluten-free things. I have celiac disease and know the struggles you're going through first-hand. This is why I've dedicated this blog to serving the celiac and gluten sensitive communities with important information, product and restaurant reviews, and simple recipes I hope you'll love. Read More…

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