Easy No-Bake Lemon Bars with Creamy Filling and Crunchy Crust

No-Bake Lemon Bars Recipe

These No-Bake Lemon Bars are a delightful dessert that combines the tangy flavor of lemon with a creamy, smooth filling and a buttery, crunchy base. Ideal for hot summer days or any occasion when you want a refreshing and easy-to-make treat, this recipe eliminates the need for baking while still delivering a flavorful dessert that’s sure to impress. With a simple yet satisfying preparation, these lemon bars come together with minimal effort and time, making them the perfect go-to recipe when you’re in need of a quick and elegant dessert.

Ingredients

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 2

Cuisine: Continental

Course: Dessert

Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Preparing the Base:

1. Crumb Base:
   Begin by preparing the graham cracker base. In a blender, add the graham cracker crumbs (or powdered Marie biscuits) and blend until they are finely ground. Transfer the crumbs to a wide mixing bowl.

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2. Mixing the Base:
   To the crumbs, add the melted butter, caster sugar, and lemon zest. Mix everything together thoroughly using your fingers or a spoon until the mixture is well combined and crumbly.

3. Pressing into Pan:
   Line a rectangular tart pan with parchment paper for easy removal after setting. Press the crumb mixture into the pan, ensuring an even, firm layer. Once pressed, place the pan in the fridge for about 30 minutes to set. This will form the base of your No-Bake Lemon Bars.

Making the Lemon Filling:

4. Dissolving the Agar Agar:
   In a saucepan, add the agar agar powder and 1/2 cup of water. Place the pan on the stove over low to medium heat and stir continuously until the agar agar dissolves and begins to thicken.

5. Sweetening the Mixture:
   Once the agar agar has thickened, add the sugar, continuing to stir until it fully dissolves into the mixture.

6. Adding Lemon Juice and Corn Flour:
   In a separate bowl, mix the corn flour into the lemon juice, ensuring that there are no lumps. Add this mixture to the agar syrup in the pan. Stir the mixture well, and cook while stirring frequently until it thickens to a consistency that coats the back of a spoon.

7. Creamy Touch:
   Add the fresh cream (or milk) to the mixture and whisk well to combine. If you’d like a more vibrant yellow hue, add a pinch of yellow food coloring at this stage, but this is completely optional.

8. Pouring the Filling:
   Remove the tart pan with the set crumb base from the fridge. Carefully pour the creamy lemon mixture over the crumb base. Using a flat spatula, smooth the top to ensure it is even.

Setting the Lemon Bars:

9. Chill and Set:
   Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before transferring the pan back into the fridge. Let it chill for about 2 to 3 hours, or until the lemon filling has completely set and become firm.

Serving:

10. Cutting and Garnishing:
    Once the No-Bake Lemon Bars are fully set, remove them from the fridge. Using a sharp knife, cut the bars into squares or rectangles, depending on your preference.

11. Finishing Touch:
    Dust the top of each bar with a light coating of icing sugar for an elegant finish. Garnish with fresh mint leaves (pudina) for a touch of color and freshness.

12. Serving:
    Serve the bars chilled for a refreshing and tangy treat, perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the creamy texture, refreshing lemon flavor, and the delightful crunch of the graham cracker base.

Tips and Variations:

• Customizing the Base: If you prefer a different flavor, you can swap out the graham cracker crumbs with digestive biscuit crumbs or even coconut flakes for a different texture.
• Making It Vegan: To make this recipe vegan, substitute the fresh cream with coconut cream or almond milk, and use a plant-based butter for the crust.
• More Zesty Flavor: For a more intense lemon flavor, feel free to add an extra tablespoon of lemon zest to the filling.
• Coloring Options: While the yellow food coloring is optional, you can also use natural food coloring for a more organic approach to adding color.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on the specific ingredients used.

This No-Bake Lemon Bars recipe is not only a delicious treat but also an easy one to prepare. It combines the brightness of lemon with a creamy filling and a crunchy base, creating a refreshing dessert that’s perfect for summer or any special occasion. Whether you’re serving it at a party, a family gathering, or simply treating yourself, these lemon bars will definitely be a hit!