Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars

Name: Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars
Prep time: 5 h
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 5 h 45 min
Yield: 9 (bars)
Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashews; 1 cup coconut cream*; 2 Tbsp arrowroot or cornstarch; 1/2 cup lemon juice; 1 heaping Tbsp lemon zest; 1 pinch sea salt; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 2 Tbsp organic powdered sugar; 1 cup rolled oats; 1 cup raw almonds; 1/4 tsp sea salt; 2 Tbsp coconut sugar; 1 Tbsp maple syrup; 4-5 Tbsp coconut oil

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4.8

798 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
5 hrs
Cook Time
mins
Total Time
5 hrs 45 mins
Servings
9 (bars)
Calories
326 kcal
Course
Dessert
Cuisine
Vegan

Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars

Valerie Marks

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Creamy, naturally sweetened vegan lemon bars made with 10 simple ingredients and a delicious gluten-free crust.

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Ingredients

Servings

FILLING

1 cup raw cashews
1 cup coconut cream* (the hardened portion at the top of full-fat coconut milk)
2 Tbsp arrowroot or cornstarch
1/2 cup lemon juice (2 large lemons yield ~1/2 cup or 120 ml)
1 heaping Tbsp lemon zest (1 large lemon yields ~1 heaping Tbsp or 4 g)
1 pinch sea salt
1/4 cup maple syrup (plus more to taste)
2 Tbsp organic powdered sugar (optional // for topping)

CRUST

1 cup rolled oats (certified gluten-free as needed)
1 cup raw almonds
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 Tbsp coconut sugar
1 Tbsp maple syrup
4-5 Tbsp coconut oil (melted)

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Instructions

Add raw cashews to a mixing bowl and cover with boiling hot water. Let rest for 1 hour (uncovered). Then drain thoroughly.
In the meantime, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Add oats, almonds, sea salt, and coconut sugar to a high-speed blender and mix on high until a fine meal is achieved.
Transfer to a medium mixing bowl and add maple syrup and melted coconut oil, starting with lesser end of range (4 Tbsp or 60 g as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) and adding more if it's too dry. Stir with a spoon to combine until a loose dough is formed. You should be able to squeeze the mixture between two fingers and form a dough instead of it crumbling. If too dry, add a bit more melted coconut oil.
Transfer mixture to parchment-lined baking pan and spread evenly. Then place parchment paper on top and use a flat-bottomed object, such as a drinking glass, to press down firmly until it’s evenly distributed and well packed.
Bake for 15 minutes, then increase heat to 375 F (190 C) and bake for 5-8 minutes more, or until the edges are golden brown and there is some browning on the surface. Remove from oven to cool slightly, then reduce oven heat to 350 degrees F (176 C).
Once cashews are soaked and drained, add to a high-speed blender with coconut cream, arrowroot starch, lemon juice, lemon zest, sea salt, and maple syrup. Mix on high until very creamy and smooth.
Taste and adjust flavor as needed. I added a bit more lemon zest and maple syrup. It should be very lemony, and not overly sweet.
Pour filling over the pre-baked crust and spread into an even layer. Tap on counter to remove any air bubbles.
Bake for 20-23 minutes or until the edges look very slightly dry and the center appears “jiggly” but not liquidy.
Let rest for 10 minutes, then transfer to refrigerator to let cool completely (uncovered) - at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
To serve, slice and sift with powdered sugar (optional). Store leftovers in the refrigerator, covered, up to 4 days, though best within the first 2 days.

Notes

*If you open your can of coconut milk or cream and the cream is not separated from the liquid, that’s ok! Just try and tip out as much of the rich, firm white part and leave the liquid behind. It’s not crucial that it’s entirely cream. But the more cream, the richer the bars will be!*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without organic powdered sugar.*Crust adapted from my Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars.

Nutrition Information

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Serving 1lemon bar Calories 326 (16%) Carbohydrates 24.3g (8%) Protein 5.9g (12%) Fat 24.6g (38%) Saturated Fat 13.7g (69%) Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 61mg (3%) Fiber 3.3g (13%) Sugar 11.4g (23%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9(bars)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 326 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1lemon bar
Calories	326	16%
Carbohydrates	24.3g	8%
Protein	5.9g	12%
Fat	24.6g	38%
Saturated Fat	13.7g	69%
Trans Fat	0g	0%
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	61mg	3%
Fiber	3.3g	13%
Sugar	11.4g	23%