Can you believe it’s almost the 4th of July?! I can’t. This summer needs to pump the brakes. While it’s still warm and wonderful, how about we celebrate ‘Merica in style and enjoy these Patriotic Lemon Cream Bars!
Lemon. Cream. Bars. Just let that soak in for a second. Ok all good?!? Now let me blow your mind and tell you that these are totally vegan, gluten free, refined sugar free, AND paleo.
Say what, say whatttt?!?
I used this recipe as inspiration because Vanessa’s recipes are no-fail and totally easy. I wanted to add a little red, white, and blue because… America. Amiright?
I was so so SO blown away by how wonderful these turned out. I have been keeping them in the freezer and then setting one on the counter for a bit before devouring eating it. If you’re taking these to a cookout or celebration, just keep them in the freezer until you’re ready to go and they’ll be perfectly creamy and soft by the time you get to your party. If they’re going to be out for a while, you might want to pop them in the fridge so they don’t completely melt.
Real quick, let’s do a run-down on coconut products. The more you know, right?!
Coconut Products
- Coconut butter: Coconut butter is to coconut as peanut butter is to peanuts. Simply ground coconut meat.
- Light coconut milk: Full-fat coconut milk diluted with water. Does not separate when chilled like full-fat or coconut cream.
- Full-fat coconut milk: 1 part coconut to 1 part water. About ½ the can is coconut cream, the rest coconut waer.
- Coconut cream: 4 parts coconut to 1 part water. About ¾ of the can is coconut cream, the rest coconut water.
- Coconut oil: Just the oil extracted from the coconut meat.
Full-fat coconut milk and coconut cream contain enough of the saturated fat solids that they separate when refrigerated. For this recipe, you’ll want to use JUST the coconut cream part being careful not to add any of the water. (But don’t throw it out!! Save it in a jar in the fridge for smoothies!)
If you’re not wild about coconut, you may consider swapping the coconut flour for oat flour (aka oats wizzed in the blender).
I went for the “rustic” swirled effect because I knew there was no way I’d get perfect flag stripes. Wise choice. As you can see they’re… imperfect. Even with their imperfect look, the taste is TO. DIE. FOR. Make these for your 4th of July celebrations and impress everyone with this vegan and paleo treat!!!
These Patriotic Lemon Cream bars are so creamy and dreamy you won't believe that they're vegan, paleo, gluten free, and refined sugar free! A sure hit at any 4th of July cookout!
Ingredients
- ½ heaping cup coconut flour (or oat flour)
- ½ heaping cup almond flour/ meal
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
- 1 Tbs. pure maple syrup or agave
- 2 cups coconut cream, solids only (from 1 can coconut cream or 2 cans full-fat coconut milk)
- 1 ½ Tbs. lemon zest
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbs. pure maple syrup or agave
- 2 cups fresh raspberries
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 Tbs. lemon zest
- 2 Tbs. pure maple syrup or agave
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
- The night before making these, add coconut milk or cream cans to the fridge to allow the solids and liquids to separate.
Make the crust:
- Preheat oven to 350° F and line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
- Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Add to pan and use fingers to press the dough into a smooth layer.
- Prick dough with a fork all over to prevent air bubbles. Add to oven and bake 8-10 minutes until lightly browned around edges. Let cool.
Make the filling:
- Add all ingredients to stand mixer and whip for 5 minutes to incorporate air. You could do this in a food processor or by hand as well.
- Once crust is cool, pour in filling and lightly smooth out the top.
Make the raspberry swirl:
- Add all ingredients to a small saucepan over medium-high heat and heat until all berries have burst.
- Strain liquid over a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds and return the liquid only to the saucepan.
- Return the liquid to a boil and cook for 10 minutes until reduced and thickened.
- Pour liquid into a glass bowl or measuring cup and chill in the fridge or freezer until completely cold.
Assemble:
- Once the raspberry sauce is completely cool, drizzle it over the coconut cream layer and swirl with a toothpick. You may not use all of the sauce.
- Put the pan in the freezer and allow it to chill until firm, about an hour.
- Remove from freezer, use the parchment to lift it out of the pan, and place on a cutting board. Cut into 16 bars and top with a few blueberries per piece.
- Return the bars to the freezer if not eating immediately. To serve, allow them to soften slightly in the fridge for a few hours or on the counter for 30 minutes.