This bright and zesty raspberry lemon bar is a treat you can enjoy without any gluten! The sweet-tart filling on a buttery crust makes for a perfect bite.
I love how the raspberry brings a pop of color and flavor. Just a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top, and you’re ready to impress your friends at tea time! 🍋💖
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: This is essential for a good texture in the crust and filling. Make sure it includes xanthan gum to help bind. If you don’t have it, you can use almond flour or a blend of rice flour and cornstarch, but it may change the texture slightly.
Butter: Unsalted butter is the best choice for controlling the saltiness. If you’re dairy-free, coconut oil or vegan butter works nicely too! Just ensure it’s cold for the crust to stay flaky.
Eggs: These add richness and help set the filling. For a vegan option, you can substitute 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water) for each egg.
Lemon Juice: Fresh juice adds a bright flavor that’s hard to beat! If lemons aren’t available, bottled juice works, but it won’t be quite as fresh. For extra zest, use the zest from organic lemons.
Raspberries: Fresh is best for the swirl, but frozen works too and is often more accessible. You can also try other berries like blueberries or strawberries for a fun twist.
How Do You Get a Perfect Swirl in the Raspberry Lemon Bars?
The swirling technique is key to creating a beautiful marbled effect! Here’s how to do it right:
- Once you pour the lemon filling into the crust, dot the top with spoonfuls of the raspberry sauce.
- Take a knife or wooden skewer and gently drag it through the lemon filling in a figure-eight motion to swirl.
- Don’t overdo it! A few swirls are enough for a pretty marbled look. Too much mixing can make it all look muddled.
Keeping the layers distinct shows off the beautiful colors, making your bars more appealing!
How to Make Gluten-Free Raspberry Lemon Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (make sure it contains xanthan gum)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
For the Lemon Filling:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
- 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons)
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
For the Raspberry Swirl:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
For Dusting:
- Powdered sugar
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep time and 30-35 minutes of baking time. After baking, you’ll want to chill the bars in the fridge for at least 2 hours, so they set properly. In total, you’re looking at about 3 hours for the perfect raspberry lemon bars!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grab an 8×8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Leave some overhang on the sides so you can easily lift out the bars later.
2. Make the Crust:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, granulated sugar, and salt. Then, take the cold butter pieces and cut them into the mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingers. You want it to look like coarse crumbs. It’s okay if there are some small chunks of butter; they’ll melt and create a flaky crust!
3. Bake the Crust:
Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake this for 15-18 minutes, or until you see the edges turning a light golden brown. This is where your bars will start to take shape!
4. Prepare the Raspberry Swirl:
While the crust is baking, put the raspberries and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, mashing the raspberries gently with a spoon until they form a jam-like consistency. If you prefer, strain it through a fine sieve to remove the seeds. Set this aside to cool.
5. Make the Lemon Filling:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, gluten-free flour, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until everything is smooth and well combined. This is what brings that zesty, refreshing flavor!
6. Combine and Swirl:
Once the crust is out of the oven, pour the lemon filling over the hot crust. Then, drop spoonfuls of the raspberry sauce evenly over the top. To create a beautiful swirl, use a knife or skewer to gently drag through the lemon filling, mixing in the raspberry without completely blending them.
7. Bake Again:
Put the bars back in the oven and bake for another 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the lemon filling looks set and doesn’t jiggle when you gently shake the pan.
8. Cool and Chill:
After baking, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, pop it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This step is important for the bars to set fully!
9. Serve and Enjoy:
Once fully chilled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang and cut them into squares. Dust the tops with powdered sugar before serving for a lovely finish!
Enjoy your bright and tangy Gluten-Free Raspberry Lemon Bars! They’re perfect for sharing or enjoying on a sunny day. 🍋✨
Can I Substitute the Eggs for a Vegan Version?
Absolutely! You can replace each egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water). This will help maintain the structure and moisture in the bars.
What If I Don’t Have Fresh Lemons?
If fresh lemons aren’t available, you can use bottled lemon juice. Just make sure to choose one that is 100% lemon juice without additives for the best flavor, although fresh juice is always preferred!
How to Store Leftover Raspberry Lemon Bars?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the squares! Just wrap them well in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before enjoying.
Can I Use Other Berries Instead of Raspberries?
Yes, feel free to swap in other berries like blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries. They all work well and can give a different flavor twist to the bars!
