Description
These Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars are a delightful no-bake, gluten-free treat made with a rich cashew and coconut cream filling on a vegan pie crust. Sweetened naturally with maple syrup and brightened with fresh lemon juice and zest, these bars offer a healthier alternative that’s bursting with tangy lemon flavor and creamy texture. Perfect for a refreshing dessert or snack, they require no baking and set beautifully in the fridge or freezer.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups raw cashews
- 1/2 cup canned coconut cream*
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Crust
- 1 recipe No-Bake Vegan Pie Crust (see notes)
Instructions
- Soak Cashews: Place the raw cashews in a heat-safe bowl and cover with boiling water. Let them soak for 1 hour to soften. Alternatively, soak cashews in room-temperature water overnight for convenience.
- Prepare Crust: While cashews soak, prepare the No-Bake Vegan Pie Crust as directed in the linked recipe. Press the crust mixture evenly into an 8 or 9-inch pan lined with parchment paper, making sure the paper extends up the sides to allow easy removal.
- Blend Filling: Drain the soaked cashews and add them to a blender along with the canned coconut cream, maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the smooth lemon filling over the prepared crust in the pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top evenly.
- Set Bars: Refrigerate the bars overnight to let them firm up completely. Alternatively, freeze for at least 3 hours for a quicker set. The bars can be enjoyed chilled, frozen, or thawed to desired texture.
Notes
- Use the No-Bake Vegan Pie Crust recipe linked in the article to make the crust for these lemon bars.
- *Coconut cream is different from coconut milk. If canned coconut cream isn’t available, refrigerate a can of full-fat coconut milk and scoop out the solid cream that rises to the top, discarding or saving the liquid for another use.
