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    Home » recipes » dessert » Vegan Lemon Bars

    by Kathy Patalsky · updated: Jun 14, 2021 · published: Jun 14, 2021 · About 5 minutes to read this article. 1 Comment

    Vegan Lemon Bars

    Jump to Recipe
    Vegan Lemon Bars

    These Vegan Lemon Bars are super zesty and sweet with a tender custard-like texture, layered with buttery shortbread crust. The basic ingredients include butter, eggs and fresh lemon juice — all vegan versions of those ingredients of course!

    This recipe looks so fancy and delightful when served at a summer party, yet they are super easy to make. These from-scratch lemon bars have so much brightness and character. They are sure to liven up any and every dessert table or platter!..

    Vegan Lemon Bars

    Lovers of Lemon

    Lemon bars were always one of my favorite desserts when I was a kid. I would find them at bakeries or party platters or big buffets. They were also a bake sale and potluck favorite!

    I have made them a few times over the years, but this week I wanted to really make some super classic, super tangy and bright bars. The kind that really bite you in the best way possible when you taste them.

    Vegan Lemon Bar yellow

    These bars are not shrinking violets when it comes to lemony flavor.

    I used fresh lemon juice and zest in these vegan lemon bars and you can really taste a big difference between if you were to use a pre-squeezed, store-bought lemon juice. Squeeze your own lemons! Not only will these bars taste better, you will get all perky and cheery-eyed from those lemony smells humming through your kitchen.

    Vegan Lemon Bars from oven

    Vegan Lemon Bar Ingredients

    For the butter, I simply used vegan butter, aka Earth Balance is my favorite.

    For the eggs I used JUST Egg product. I sub about ½ cup per egg.

    Those are the only two ingredients you have to veganize. The flour, sugar, lemon juice etc is all good to go.

    lemon Bars

    Classic Lemon Bar Recipe

    This is a very classic recipe. I have been making a variation of these for years using silken tofu. But this time I went all in on “vegan subs” and used JUST Egg product as the egg substitute. The result was a bit more flavort and even better texture than I remember from my vegan lemon bars of the past.

    I referenced Sally’s Baking Addiction classic lemon bar recipe when crafting these. She has a really lovely and simple crust recipe which I veganized. Sally has such an awesome dessert blog. It is one of my favorites to browse when I am looking for something new to make in the dessert arena. I sometimes fall into a chocolate chi cookie and peanut butter cookie baking rut!

    lemon squares

    Another fun spin on bars… pink flamingo bars!

    pink bars

    Shortbread Crust

    I love a realy tender and buttery crust to contrast the sharp lemon flavor of these vegan lemon bars. My crust actually went a bit thicker than I would normally do, but it still worked well. Just be aware that if you want a thinner crust, you can use a slightly larger pan than me. Your lemon layer will be slightly less thick too.

    Baking Time for Vegan Lemon Bars

    For these vegan lemon bars, I found I had to bake a bit longer than anticipated. I actually did around 35 minutes just to really make sure my bars were cooked through. Some recipes say 25 minutes is enough, but for the vegan version with 1 ½ cups of vegan egg, go for at least 30 minutes at 325 degrees.

    And check in on your bars around the 25 minute mark. You should start to see them glossing over and browning a bit on the sides.

    Vegan Lemon Bars

    Summer Dessert Recipe

    These bars are such a lovely summer dessert recipe! They pair so well with a warm day. Sometimes chocolate desserts can feel heavy when the temperatures start to rise. But vegan lemon bars are perfect for a summer wedding, birthday party, baby shower or graduation event.

    If you want a lime twist, substitute key lime juice for the lemon juice!

    You could even add some coconut whip on top to serve.

    Vegan Lemon Bars

    Bright, zesty and sweet, these lovely vegan lemon bars are the perfect dessert treat for warm weather or cheerful celebrations. Buttery shortbread crust.
    4.50 from 8 votes
    click the stars to rate
    Print Pin
    Prep: 15 mins
    Cook: 55 mins
    Cool Time: 2 hrs
    Total: 3 hrs 10 mins
    Servings: 9 bars

    Ingredients

    Crust

    • ½ cup vegan butter, melted
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 1 ½ cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Lemon Filling

    • 1 ½ cups vegan egg (JUST Egg used)
    • 1 cup cane sugar
    • ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
    • ¼ teaspoon fresh lemon zest
    • 2 teaspoon corn starch
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ⅔ cup flour

    Topping

    • 2 tablespoon powdered sugar

    Instructions

    • Line an 8×8 or 9×9 square baking dish with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 325.
    • For crust: Mix together the melted vegan butter, sugar, flour, vanilla and salt. Pour into the baking dish. Using floured fingeres press the crust evenly into the dish.,
    • Bake the crust at 325 for 15-20 minutes. You want the edges lightly browned. The crust will be tender coming out, that's ok.
    • In a large mixing bowl, which together the lemon, vegan butter, vegan eggs, sugar, starch, salt and flour. Pour the lemon mixture over top the baked crust.
    • Bake lemon bars for 25-35 minutes at 325 degrees. I baked mine for about 35 minutes just to be sure, but 30 minutes is really the sweet spot for baking these.
    • Pull from oven and allow to cool for at least an hour – ideally two hours or overnight.
    • Just before serving, sprinkle powdered sugar over top and then slice into squares.

    Equipment

    • square casserole dish
    • mixing bowl
    • parchment paper
    recipe author: Kathy Patalsky

    nutrition estimate | per serving

    Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 181mg | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 481IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 2mg
    Dessert
    American
    dessert, lemon
    Did you make this?Snap a pic + tag me! @KathyPatalsky
    Vegan Lemon Bars pin

    More dessert

    • Simple Vegan Baklava Recipe
    • Jumbo Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Chocolate Chunk Hazelnut Cookies
    • Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

    About Kathy Patalsky

    Hey there! I'm Kathy, lover of kitty cats, weekend baking, 90's movies, travel, beach fog and foamy lattes. Since 2007, I have been sharing my vegan recipes and photos. My goal is to make your cooking life a little easier, delicious - and plant-loaded - while sharing some LIFE and conversation along the way.

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      s: Absolutely one of the best things I've ever baked. Used dairy butter…

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    2. JanetS

      JanetS: Neither of those non-grain flours will substitute for oats or wheat. As…

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