• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Pure and Simple Nourishment

  • About
    • Meet Dr. Erin Carter
    • My Food Philosophy
    • Press and Publications
    • Contact
  • Free Resources
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Main Course
    • Dessert
    • Sauces and Dips
    • Side Dish
    • Drinks
    • Vegetables
    • Snack
    • Meat and Fish
    • Recipe Wrap-Ups
    • SCD
    • GAPS
    • Whole30
    • AIP
    • Vegan
    • Paleo
    • Dairy-Free
    • Gluten-Free
    • Low FODMAP
    • Refined-Sugar-Free
  • Health
    • Health Information
    • Book Club
  • Nutrition
  • Beauty
    • Beautycounter
    • Skin Care
  • Fitness
    • Fitness Information
    • Weekly Workouts
  • Favorites
    • Books
    • Tools
    • Food
    • Skincare
  • My Books
    • Healthy Living 101
    • Pure and Simple Paleo Desserts
    • The Complete Paleo Food Guide
    • How To Save Money On The Paleo Diet
  • Work With Me
    • Services
    • Meal Plans
    • Skin Care Quiz
    • Contact
Home / Course / Dessert / Gluten Free Lemon Bars with Cranberry

Gluten Free Lemon Bars with Cranberry

March 16, 2019 3 Comments

647 shares
  • Share65
  • Yummly
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
The best gluten free lemon bars with cranberry recipe. These lemon bars are easy, healthy and paleo. They are dairy free and made with coconut instead. #lemonbars #paleo

This Gluten Free Lemon Bars with Cranberry recipe is the best! This treat is easy to make and has such a delicious flavour. The sweetness of the lemon bar combined with the tartness of cranberries combines beautifully. These bars are also gluten free, dairy free and paleo. 

Pieces of gluten free lemon bars with cranberry on a wire rack

Why you will love this recipe:

  • The gluten free lemon bar crust is so, so delicious! Moist and crumbly it has a shortbread like texture that you are going to love. 
  • The contrast of the sweet lemon crust with the slightly tart cranberries makes the perfect flavour combination.
  • These dessert bars are surprisingly easy to make and also freeze really well. 
  • These lemon bars are not only gluten free but are also dairy free and paleo. 
  • They are a healthy alternative to most other lemon bars that are filled with refined sugar, while these bars are sweetened naturally with honey.  
  • They are filled with healthy fats from the coconut flour, coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut butter or coconut manna. 
  • These bars are great to serve any time but they are also great for events like Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, baby showers or bridal showers. 

Equipment and ingredients needed:

  • A standing mixer (this Kitchenaid one is the one I have and love) – if you don’t have a standing mixer that’s alright. Just mix the ingredients in a bowl by hand instead. 
  • 8″ x 8″ glass baking dish 
  • Coconut flour – One of my favourite grain free flours. The sweetness of the coconut blends so well with the lemon to give these bars the best taste. 
  • Almond flour – This gluten free flour is one of my favourites to bake with. You could use cashew flour instead. Just be sure you don’t use almond meal. 
  • Coconut milk – this helps add moisture and healthy fats to these lemon bars. I recommend using full fat coconut milk. 
  • Coconut oil – this plant based oil helps give these bars the most perfect dreamy texture. 
  • Coconut butter or coconut manna – to help add natural sweetness to these cranberry lemon bars. 
  • Lemons – you will use lemons for both lemon zest and lemon juice to add the most refreshing lemon flavour to these bars. 
  • Baking soda – to help the lemon bars rise when they bake. I do not recommend swapping for baking powder. 
  • Eggs – to help bind the dessert bars and help them rise.
  • Cranberries – for the delicious cranberry topping on these bars. I recommend using fresh rather than frozen cranberries if possible. 
  • Honey – one of my favourite natural sweeteners to give these dessert bars the perfect sweet lemon taste. You could use maple syrup instead. 

A stack of gluten free lemon bars with cranberry

How to make: 

To make the lemon layer: 

Step one: first you will preheat your oven to 350F.

Step two: next, add all the ingredients for the lemon crust into your standing mixer. Blend on low until the batter is smooth.

Step three: then transfer the ingredients to a greased 8″ x 8″ glass baking dish and spread the batter evenly with a knife or a spoon. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 17-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted inside comes out clean. 

To make the cranberry layer: 

While the lemon layer is baking, you can make the cranberry layer. 

Step one: place a medium sized pot on the stove on low heat. Add the cranberries, coconut milk, coconut oil, honey and sea salt to the pot and bring the ingredients to a boil. Turn down the heat and allow the ingredients to simmer for ~15 minutes. 

Final assembly: 

Step one: when the lemon crust is done baking, pour the cranberry topping on top and spread evenly with a spoon or knife. Then place the dish in the fridge and allow the cranberry layer to set (takes about 60 minutes). 

Optional step two: you have the option of adding a little coconut manna to the top of your bars (this is the white part that you see in the photos). If you would like to do that, melt 3 tablespoons of coconut manna in the microwave (heat on high for 20-30 seconds). Then simply drizzle the coconut manna on top of the cranberry layer when you remove the bars from the fridge. 

Step three: next, cut the bars into desired sized pieces, then serve and enjoy! 

Chef’s tips and variations: 

  • Store these lemon bars in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 7 days. 
  • Be sure to use almond flour and not almond meal for this recipe. 
  • I do not recommend trying to swap the coconut flour for another flour. 
  • If you can’t have almond flour I recommend using cashew flour instead. 
  • Instead of honey you could use maple syrup. 

Many gluten free lemon bars with cranberry on a wire rack

Frequently asked questions: 

Do lemon bars need to be refrigerated?

Yes I would suggest keeping these gluten free cranberry lemon bars in the fridge. I actually prefer them served cold rather than warm. 

Are these lemon bars sugar free? 

These lemon bars are sweetened naturally with honey but no they are not sugar free meaning they are also not low carb or keto. 

Can you substitute almond flour for the coconut flour?

No! Almond flour and coconut flour are not interchangeable. 

Can I substitute coconut flour for the almond flour?

Again, definitely not! 

Can I omit the eggs?

I have never tried this recipe without eggs so I can’t guarantee they would work out. If you do try making them vegan by using an egg replacer please let me know how it goes.  

Is it OK to freeze lemon bars?

Yes! These lemon bars freeze really well so feel free to make a double or triple batch and freeze some for later. 

Other recipes you will love: 

  • Dairy Free Brownies with Caramel
  • Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
  • Chocolate Avocado Torte
  • Chocolate Raspberry Cups 
  • Paleo Carrot Cake Donuts 
  • Paleo Cookie Dough

SINCE YOU MADE IT THIS FAR WE ARE BASICALLY BEST FRIENDS SO BE SURE TO FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, TIKTOK AND FACEBOOK WHERE I SHARE EVEN MORE RECIPES AND HEALTHY LIVING TIPS! AND DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE THIS RECIPE A STAR REVIEW BEFORE YOU GO!

4.7 from 20 votes
Print

Gluten Free Lemon Bars with Cranberry

These are the best gluten free lemon bars with cranberry that you will ever make. Easy and quick these lemon bars are also paleo and refined sugar free. 

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword cranberry dessert, healthy lemon bars, lemon dessert
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 277 kcal

Ingredients

Lemon Crust Ingredients

  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • pinch sea salt
  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (plus a little more for greasing the pan)
  • 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 large eggs

Cranberry Topping Ingredients

  • 227 grams fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • pinch sea salt

Optional Coconut Manna Drizzle

  • 3 tbsp coconut manna

Instructions

Lemon Crust Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350F.

  2. Place all the ingredients into your standing mixer and blend well until smooth.

  3. Grease an 8″x 8″ glass baking dish with coconut oil.

  4. Pour the batter into the pan and spread evenly with a spoon or knife.

  5. Place in the oven and bake for 17-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted inside comes out clean.

Cranberry Topping Directions

  1. While the lemon crust is baking start the cranberry topping.

  2. Place a medium pot on the stove on low heat and add the cranberries, coconut milk, coconut oil, honey and sea salt to the pot and bring to a boil.

  3. Allow the ingredients to simmer for ~15 minutes.

  4. Once the lemon crust is finished, pour the cranberry topping on top and spread evenly with a spoon or knife.

  5. Place the pan in the fridge to allow the topping to set. This will take ~60 minutes.

Optional Coconut Manna Drizzle Directions

  1. Place the coconut manna into a microwave safe dish and microwave on high for 20-30 seconds, until melted.

  2. Drizzle the melted coconut manna on top of the squares once you remove them from the fridge.

  3. Cut the squares into desired sized pieces and serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  1. This recipe yields 12 desert bars. 
  2. Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients you use. 
  3. Store these bars in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 7 days. 

 

 

Nutrition Facts
Gluten Free Lemon Bars with Cranberry
Amount Per Serving
Calories 277 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 27mg9%
Sodium 65mg3%
Potassium 69mg2%
Carbohydrates 18g6%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 52IU1%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 51mg5%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pin this recipe for later: 

The best gluten free lemon bars with cranberry recipe. These lemon bars are easy, healthy and paleo. They are dairy free and made with coconut instead in an 8x8 pan. #lemonbars #paleo #glutenfree

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDED RECIPES

Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Turtle Cookie Bars

Whole30 and Paleo Sloppy Joes

DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

Previous Post: « Why I Became a Beautycounter Consultant as a Doctor
Next Post: Vegan Sour Cream »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathy

    September 3, 2019 at 11:33 pm

    Hi Erin:
    I made this today with our local partridgeberries, instead of cranberries, and it was delicious. Thank-you for your recipes!
    Cathy5 stars

    Reply
  2. Joan Ann Liberty

    September 13, 2019 at 2:37 pm

    Would I need to adjust the recipe in any way to use frozen cranberries?5 stars

    Reply
    • Erin Carter

      October 5, 2019 at 3:02 pm

      I’ve honestly not tried them with frozen cranberries so I am not sure. You will probably have to heat them longer but if you try it let us know!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi friends! I'm Dr. Erin Carter

I'm a physician by day and health and wellness blogger by night. I believe that real food and healthy living are medicine and that eating healthy shouldn't be boring or restrictive. Here you'll find many easy and delicious recipes and tons of healthy living tips! Meet Dr. Erin Carter

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Reader Faves

How To Heal Keratosis Pilaris With Diet

Slices of gluten free chocolate chip banana bread stacked on top of one another

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Whole30 Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce (Paleo, AIP, Vegan, GAPS, SCD, low carb)

Why You Should Soak And Dehydrate Nuts And Seeds (And How To Do It)

Whole30 Cilantro Lime Dressing

How I Healed My Keratosis Pilaris (KP) Naturally

Join the List

Leave your email to be sent subscriber exclusive deals, recipes and other goodies

We won't send you spam.
Unsubscribe at any time.

My Ebooks

My Ebooks

My Favorite Safe Beauty Products

My Favorite Safe Beauty Products

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2022 Pure & Simple Nourishment

  • 65
647 shares
647 shares
  • 65