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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Desserts

    Published: May 21, 2020 · Modified: May 4, 2021 by Jen Wooster

    Strawberry Lemon Bars (GF, DF)

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    lemon squares pinterest graphic

    Sweet and tart, these Strawberry Lemon Bars are gluten-free and dairy-free AND delicious. This lemon bar recipe starts with a buttery but healthy shortbread crust and is topped off with a citrusy strawberry lemon custard topping.

    five lemon bars on counter

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Recipe Instructions
    • Lemon Bars Tips and Tricks
    • More Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • ⭐Reviews

    I love these lemon bars. Not just because they are pink, but that is a bonus. I love them because I fed them to a crowd and not one person realized they were gluten and dairy free. In my opinion, that is the best measure of any gluten-free baking recipe.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Gluten-Free Shortbread Crust

    • Gluten-Free Flour Blend- For baking something easy like cookies, bars, or brownies I recommend using a dairy-free cup for cup variety that already includes xanthan gum. I used the Namaste Brand gluten-free flour which can be purchased from Costco. Because gluten-free flour blends can be made up of a variety of flours I find it helpful to go by weight if you have a small kitchen scale. This recipe needs about a cup and a half of flour. If your flour blend doesn't contain xanthan gum add a ¼ teaspoon.
    • Sugar- You can use granulated or coconut sugar in this recipe. Both work equally well.
    • Kosher Salt- Never underestimate the power of salt in baking. Always use kosher salt, not table salt.
    • Vegan Butter Sticks-When baking with vegan butter I use Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks. I find they bake very similar to butter. I tried coconut oil in the shortbread but found it was too oily and the bars didn't hold.

    Strawberry-Lemon Custard

    • Strawberries- I use fresh strawberries when in season and frozen during the winter. Both work equally well. But you can also substitute any berry. Blackberry lemon bars? Yes, please!
    • Lemons- Use fresh-squeezed juice and zest. You will need 2 to 3 lemons for this recipe.
    • Eggs- This recipe uses 2 whole eggs plus 2 yolks. Because we are using gluten-free flour I find the extra yolks help keep things together.
    • Sugar
    • Kosher Salt
    • Gluten-Free Flour Blend- No additional xanthan gum is needed if your blend doesn't contain it.
    • Powdered Sugar- For dusting the top. Always verify your brand is gluten-free.

    Recipe Instructions

    There are are two parts to lemon bars- the crust and the custard. While the crust is cooling I prepare my custard.

    Prepare the Gluten-Free Crust

    To start this recipe preheat the oven to 350 F degrees and prepare an 8x8 pan for baking. Place two sheets of parchment paper into the baking pan, perpendicular to each other, and brush with melted vegetable or coconut oil.

    Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment briefly mix the dry ingredients. Then at low speed add the butter a piece at a time. Slowly mix until a dough forms and begins to pull away from the side. This typically takes about 2 minutes.

    Press the dough into the bottom of prepared pan and about ½" up the sides. Chill at least 30 minutes. Don't skip this part!

    Prick bottom of crust with a fork and bake until light golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Turn down the oven to 300 F degrees. The crust needs to cool on the counter (not in the fridge) for 15 minutes or so. This is when I start my custard.

    Prepare the Strawberry Lemon Custard

    This recipe uses a strawberry puree that has been strained through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the pulp and seeds. You need about ⅓ of a cup. If you have extra reserve for another use like a smoothie or lemonade.

    To make the lemon custard whisk eggs, granulated sugar, and lemon juice and zest in a mixing bowl. This may take a few minutes so a mixer can be helpful. Pour in strawberry puree and whisk until smooth. At this point add your gluten-free flour blend and whisk until just combined. I always hand mix in my flour as it can get very frothy when using a hand mixer.

    Pour the filling into crust and bake until filling is set and slightly golden at the edges, usually around 25 minutes. Although I find the humidity in my kitchen really affects the baking time of this recipe.

    Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Then refrigerate until chilled usually 2 ours. Using the parchment paper pull the entire pan of bars out at once. Dust lightly with powdered sugar and cut into squares.

    gluten free lemon bars with powdered sugar

    Lemon Bars Tips and Tricks

    • Don't underestimate chilling the crust before baking. This will give the gluten-free flour time to hydrate which is very important in GF baking.
    • Roll and press lemons on the kitchen counter before cutting them. This will soften them and make hand juicing easier.
    • Lined your pan with parchment paper that overhangs on either side. This will make removing the finished lemon bars a breeze. I use two pieces that are laid perpendicular to each other.
    • For a thicker lemon bar, double the recipe but use a 9x13 pan.
    • Don't skip parbaking the crust, this will prevent a gummy center.
    • Don't worry about bubbles on top, the powdered sugar will cover. If you really want to pour the custard through a mesh strainer to remove them.
    • Out of powdered sugar? Add one tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 cup of sugar to a spice grinder. Grind until powdery- 2-3 minutes.
    • Be careful when checking on the bars, my center wasn't set and it splashed everywhere when I pulled the rack out (see terrible mess below). No worries the powder sugar hid my mistake!
    • Not gluten-free? Not dairy-free? Both regular all-purpose flour and butter work for this recipe without any other changes.
    strawberry lemon bars stacked up

    More Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes

    Thanks for stopping by and trying our strawberry lemon bar recipe. Here are a few more of our favorite sweet treats. Check them out and save them for later.

    • Gluten-Free Peach Crisp
    • Strawberry Tahini Milkshake
    • Individual Carrot Cakes with Dairy-Free Maple Frosting

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    lemon bars stacked

    Strawberry Lemon Bars

    The best sweet and tart strawberry lemon bars recipe that is gluten and dairy free. A simple shortbread crust with a strawberry lemonade custard topping.
    Servings: 16 bars
    Prep: 10 mins
    Cook: 45 mins
    Chilling Time 2 hrs
    Total: 55 mins
    5 from 27 votes
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    Equipment

    • 8x8 baking pan
    • Parchment Paper
    • Stand Mixer with paddle attachment

    Ingredients
      

    Gluten-Free Crust

    • 6 ounces gluten-free flour blend cup for cup variety
    • 2 ⅓ ounces granulated sugar
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 8 tablespoon vegan butter, cut into chunks

    Strawberry Lemon Custard

    • 1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved
    • 2 whole eggs plus 2 egg yolks
    • 8 ounces granulated sugar
    • ⅓ cup lemon juice + zest from 2 lemons
    • ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ cup gluten-free flour blend cup for cup variety
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    Instructions
     

    Prepare the Gluten-Free Crust

    • Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 F degrees. Place two sheets of parchment paper into the baking pan, perpendicular to each other. Brush with vegetable oil or melted butter.
      baking pan lined with parchment paper
    • Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment mix on low all the dry ingredients, about 5 seconds.
      measuring out dry ingredients for lemon bars
    • On low speed add the butter a piece at a time. Slowly mix until a dough forms and begins to pull away from the side. About 2 minutes.
      gluten free dough in mixing bowl
    • Press dough into the bottom of prepared pan and about ½" up the sides. Chill at least 30 minutes.
      hand pressing dough into baking pan
    • Prick bottom of crust with a fork and bake until light golden brown, about 15 minutes.
      dough being docked with fork
    • Allow the crust to cool for 15 to 20 minutes before adding the filling. Turn down the oven to 300 F degrees.
      dairy free crust cooling on rack

    Strawberry Lemon Custard

    • Purée strawberries in a blender until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl until you get ⅓ cup of puree. Reserve any remaining liquid for another use.
      straining strawberry puree
    • Whisk eggs, granulated sugar, and lemon juice and zest in a medium bowl. Pour in strawberry puree and whisk until smooth.
      lemon custard being whisked in a bowl
    • Whisk in the flour until just combined.
    • Pour filling into crust and bake until filling is set and slightly golden at the edges, about 25 to 30 minutes.
      strawberry lemon filling in pan
    • Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Then refrigerate until chilled through. About two hours.
      strawberry lemon bars cooling in a pan
    • Using the parchment paper pull the entire pan of bars out at once. Dust lightly with powdered sugar and cut into squares.
      lemon bars cut into squares and topped with powdered sugar
    Rate this Recipe

    Video

    Notes

    • Xanthan gum- If your flour blend does not contain xanthan gum add ¼ teaspoon to the shortbread crust. none is needed for the filling.
    • Storing Instructions:  The bars can be refrigerated in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. Bars should be in a single layer and not stacked.
    • Freezing Instructions: Bars can be frozen for up to 2 months. Cut the cooled bars into squares, then place onto a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour. Separate each bar with parchment and place them into a large freezer bag. Thaw the lemon bars in the refrigerator overnight. Dust with powdered sugar before serving (i.e. don't do this before freezing). 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 170kcal | Carbs: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Fiber: 1g
    Author: Jen Wooster
    Course:: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword bars, lemon, lemon bars, lemonade, slice, strawberry
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

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    391 shares
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Ginny says

      June 08, 2020 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      My husband loved these. The combination of strawberry and lemon was spot on. Thanks for the nice recipe.

      Reply
      • Jen says

        June 09, 2020 at 6:31 am

        5 stars
        Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for trying them.

        Reply
    2. Daniela says

      June 08, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      5 stars
      These strawberry lemon bars looks so precious! I love your image - such a rad shot when they're cut up and some have lemons and some have strawberries on top! And the recipe sounds delish :).

      Reply
      • Jen says

        June 09, 2020 at 6:31 am

        5 stars
        I appreciate the compliment.

        Reply
    3. Jo says

      June 08, 2020 at 6:55 am

      5 stars
      This is the kind of dessert I need in my life! How pretty and delicious it looks! I love strawberry lemonade, but never thought of make lemon bars with it. Must try soon.

      Reply
    4. Marwin Brown says

      June 07, 2020 at 9:11 pm

      5 stars
      Love the strawberry-lemon combo in this recipe! These bars look the like perfect texture and like a great summer treat

      Reply
    5. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

      June 07, 2020 at 6:53 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! I love strawberries and lemons paired together. This is such a great summer time recipe! Thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply
    6. Jenny Graves says

      June 07, 2020 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      There are some things I can not resist in life and one of them is strawberry-lemon bars. Lots of extra points for your gluten-free and dairy-free delicious recipe, thanks so so much for sharing it. I love it.

      Reply
      • Jen says

        June 07, 2020 at 4:32 pm

        So glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    7. Denise says

      June 07, 2020 at 9:37 am

      5 stars
      I love traditional lemon bars, I never thought of adding strawberry to them. I can't wait to try your recipe, I bet it must taste amazing!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        June 07, 2020 at 4:32 pm

        They are great. Definitely give them a try!

        Reply
    8. Paige says

      June 05, 2020 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      These were really good...I'll definitely make them again!

      Reply
    9. Sharon says

      June 02, 2020 at 9:46 am

      5 stars
      These bars are the perfect summertime dessert to take to cookouts. I love that it's gluten-free too so every diet can enjoy them.

      Reply
    10. Bernice Hill says

      June 01, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      5 stars
      These are amazing looking bars...we just bought more strawberries too so I'd love to give these a try. Pinning for later!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        June 02, 2020 at 7:57 am

        5 stars
        Let us know how they turn out!

        Reply
    11. Taylor Kiser says

      June 01, 2020 at 10:35 am

      5 stars
      You had me at strawberry lemon custard topping! These are amazing!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        June 02, 2020 at 7:57 am

        5 stars
        Thanks for sharing. Glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    12. Toni says

      June 01, 2020 at 10:31 am

      5 stars
      This was a huge hit with my kids! Such an amazing summer dessert!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        June 02, 2020 at 7:57 am

        5 stars
        Excellent.

        Reply
    13. Gloria says

      June 01, 2020 at 10:30 am

      5 stars
      What a great recipe for brunch, picinics, or taking to bbq parites. Love the combination of lemon and strawberries. This is s summer hit for sure.

      Reply
    14. Angela says

      June 01, 2020 at 10:26 am

      5 stars
      I love the flavor of strawberries and lemons together. Your custard looks absolutely amazing. I can't wait to try this recipe.

      Reply
    15. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

      June 01, 2020 at 10:24 am

      5 stars
      Love the sound of these strawberry lemon bars -- not too sweet, not too tangy. I appreciate your tips - especially par baking the shortbread. Nothing worse than soggy crust!

      Reply
    16. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

      June 01, 2020 at 10:08 am

      5 stars
      I was looking for a recipe like this, thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    17. Paige says

      May 21, 2020 at 1:32 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Hard to stop at just one.

      Reply
    18. Mindy says

      May 21, 2020 at 1:15 pm

      5 stars
      These were delicious. A tasty fresh dessert with a crisp, flaky crust. A nice refreshing not heavy dessert - perfect for summer.

      Reply

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    Greetings!

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    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

    More About Me...

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