Delicious Gluten-Free Lemon Bars

In today's foodie world, gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular as more people seek to manage their health and well-being through dietary changes. If you're one of them or just looking for a tasty treat that is both gluten-free and delicious, these lemon bars are perfect. These bars combine the freshness of lemons with a crisp, gluten-free crust, creating an irresistible dessert that can be enjoyed by anyone.

Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 16

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1¾ cups almond flour
• ⅓ cup coconut sugar
• ½ teaspoon xanthan gum (for gluten-free thickening)
• ⅓ cup melted butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1¼ cups granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Fresh mint for garnish (optional)

To Prepare the Crust:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, coconut sugar, and xanthan gum. Mix until well combined.
3. Add melted butter to the mixture and stir again until everything is evenly distributed and the dough starts to clump together slightly.
4. Pour this crumbly mixture into an 8x8-inch baking pan (preferably greased or lined with parchment paper). Press down firmly on the bottom of the pan using the back of a spoon, ensuring that the crust spreads evenly. You want it to be about ½ inch thick at the center.
5. Bake for approximately 15 minutes until golden brown around the edges but still slightly soft in the middle when pressed with your finger. Remove from oven and let cool completely on wire rack before adding the lemon filling.

Preparing the Lemon Filling:

6. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat eggs until frothy using an electric mixer or whisk thoroughly by hand.
7. Add granulated sugar and continue beating until it becomes pale yellow in color. This step helps aerate the mixture which results in fluffier bars later on.
8. Mix in lemon juice, zest, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
9. Pour this mixture over the pre-cooled crust carefully so as not to disturb its structure too much during transfer.
10. Return the prepared pan back into the oven and bake for another 25 minutes. The center should set up enough that it no longer feels runny when touched lightly in places where you pressed your finger earlier.
11. Take out again and allow cooling completely before cutting into squares or bars; this usually takes around two hours depending on ambient temperature conditions but might vary slightly from place to another.

Tips for Success

• The key is getting the crust nice and golden brown while maintaining its integrity. Don't overbake it as that can lead to crumbling issues when adding the filling. If you prefer a flatter bar rather than a slightly rounded one, press down more firmly on top of your dough before baking.
• When adding the lemon juice and zest, make sure they are fresh because this will affect both taste and texture significantly.
• Cooling completely ensures that all parts have had time to set properly. You could even chill them in refrigerator briefly if desired for faster firmness but not necessary unless serving immediately after preparation.

Decorating Options & Serving Suggestions

Fresh mint is a lovely garnish option as it adds freshness and color contrast against the golden brown crust and pale lemon filling. However, this step isn't essential - you can enjoy these bars just as they are without any additional decoration if preferred.

These delicious gluten-free lemon bars make great snacks or desserts for gatherings. They pair wonderfully with a cup of tea, coffee, or even ice cream on top. Consider serving them at breakfast time for something different and special during the weekend mornings when you want to treat yourself but still keep it healthy.

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p>Chefs recommend experimenting by adjusting proportions slightly based on personal preferences regarding sweetness level and tartness intensity. Enjoy crafting this delightful dessert recipe!