A superb recipe for sugar free lemon bars with a sugar free lemon drizzle. Low carb and gluten free.
It's the perfect lunchbox filler and healthy baking treat.
What are lemon bars?
Lemon bars are wonderfully zingy baked cake bars that are sugar-free, gluten-free and lower carb.
They're fabulous to pack in school lunch boxes because they are sturdy, yet still soft like regular cake and have that wonderful lemon zest taste.
On the top of each lemon bar, is drizzled with a sugar free syrup made with lemon juice and sweetener.
With only 2.7g net carbs per bar, they will easily fit into your low-carb diet or keto diet.
Sweeteners
How much to use
Lemons vary considerably in their sweetness, sour taste and depth of zest. So the amount of sweetener I suggest may need to be adjusted. Always add the minimum amount of sweetener then add more for your favourite sugar replacement until you reach the desired sweetness.
Which sweetener to use
It may take some trial and error to find a low-carb or keto sweetener that you really love to use. If you are a beginner, you need to read the Ultimate Guide to Sweeteners.
Some sweeteners such as stevia need to be added very slowly. This is because stevia has a bitter aftertaste if you use an excessive amount.
Some sugar alcohols give you a slight cooling effect in the mouth.
Whichever sugar replacement you use, always check to see if it affects your blood sugars. While most do not have any effect, some such as maltitol, do raise blood sugar, so stay away from those.
More lemon recipes
If you love all things lemon (and I do) then take a look at my lemon cupcakes, lemon meringue pies and lemon coconut cake. I love my lemon dessert recipes to be quite tart and sharp in flavour, but you can easily adjust how much lemon and how much sweetener you use to your taste and your sweet tooth (or lack of).
If you don't want to bake, then you can quickly whip up a strawberry and lemon syllabub or an Instant Pot lime cheesecake.
📖 Recipe
Sugar Free Lemon Bars
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Ingredients
Sugar free lemon bars
- 110 g (1 stick) butter softened
- 4 tablespoon granulated sweetener of choice or more, to taste
- 4 eggs - medium
- 24 g (¼ cups) coconut flour
- 50 g (½ cups) almond meal/flour
- 80 ml (¼ cups) natural yoghurt unsweetened
- pinch salt to taste
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Lemon drizzle
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 tablespoon powdered sweetener or more, to taste
Instructions
Sugar free lemon bars
- Cream the softened butter and sweetener until pale and fluffy.
- Slowly add the eggs one at a time, mixing well before adding the next egg.
- Fold in the coconut flour and almond flour/meal.
- Fold in the yoghurt, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest. Stir gently until thoroughly mixed.
- Pour into a greased lined baking dish and bake at 180C/350F for 15-20 minutes, or until baked in the centre.
- While the lemon bars are still warm (but not hot) add the lemon drizzle before cutting it into slices.
Lemon drizzle
- In a small glass, mix the lemon juice and the sweetener until dissolved. It won't dissolve completely, but make sure there are no lumps.
- Drizzle/spoon the sweetened lemon juice over the warm sugar free lemon bars. You can poke the cake with a fork to allow the drizzle to really sink in to the middle of the cake.
- Cut into slices/bars once it is cold and the lemon drizzle has soaked in.
Debbie
Far too eggy and omelette like for me. It wasn’t at all like a cake and I’m afraid it went in the bin.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Hi Debbie. I'm sorry to read this, let me help and see where it went wrong. Did you add enough sweetener? Did you add enough lemon zest and juice? Did you use coconut flour? The reason I ask is that some readers think desiccated coconut can be used but they both work in completely different ways. This is super popular bars and it can be made as cupcakes also so I think something went awry with the ingredients.
Ellis
I made this today. Mmmmmmmm with some whipped cream
Dee Lynn
Yummy lemon scrambled eggs!
Seriously, I see I'm not the only one who this happened to, I just wish I read the reviews before I started cooking. It sounded so nice but mine ended up like a lemony omlette. Barely rose and no "cake" texture whatsoever.
It would also help to specify the tin size.
Pam
Me too! It didn’t rise, so I put one square on top of another, sandwiched with sugar free butter cream, and I think I got away with it, but maybe there should’ve been some raising agent in there?
Andre Kanyinda
not sure where i am going wrong, My cake always comes out too wet, i have removed one egg and used less yoghurt yet its still too wet?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
It sounds like the brand of coconut flour may be affecting the cake batter. If there is too much humidity in the air or the brand hasn't been dehydrated correctly, it will affect how much moisture the coconut flour can absorb. Next time, add an extra tablespoon at a time of coconut flour and almond flour. I'm sure it will thicken. Sometimes these new flours (which aren't standardised) need a bit of experimentation to get them just right.
Kate
I ended up with lemon flavoured omelette! A very odd texture indeed. Any ideas what went wrong?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
It sounds like your coconut flour wasn't behaving properly 🙁 Various brands can behave quite differently from one another and their ability to make a decent cake batter can depend on the humidity in the air. More coconut flour may sometimes need to be added to ensure a proper cake batter consistency. Don't give up, just get great coconut flour.
Sarah
I have been baking cakes for years and years. I promised a friend who is followings keto, that I was attempt a cake for her. We decided on this one. For some reason, I’ve fallen at the first hurdle and my batter split before I even got to add the flours. Normally, I would add some of the ordinary flour to bring it back but adding the coconut and almond mix didn’t work. I googled it and it said to go ahead and complete the batter. Against my better judgement, I stuck it in the oven. I too have ended up with an omelette, with melted butter all around the slab. Could it be the sugar substitute that made the batter curdle? I’m reluctant to try again, these ingredients are not cheap to keep throwing away. Would welcome any help and tips
NYCKEE
Could the coconut flour be substituted for more almond flour?
Debbie K Lakey
can I use all purpose flour instead of the coconut flour and almond meal flour?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Sorry no. It won't be low-carb and grain free and these flours all work in completely different ways. You may wish to read this article. Ultimate Guide To Low-carb Flours.
Nicole
Wow - I made them a copule of weeks ago to bring them along at a function where we all shared some desserts . They all loved my Lemopn Squares (I made them like small squares perfect size.... so they turn out to be more and everybody could try ?), I replaced the yogurt with sourcream, they were just amazing! Thank you for this great recepie! Greetings from south of Switzerland
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Brilliant Nicole! What lucky friends you have that you bake for them. Greetings from NZ 🙂
Shelley U
Made these today! Sooo delicious. My seven year old son loves it. Thank you for sharing!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Excellent! I love it when kids enjoy new healthy recipes here 🙂
ChrissyF
I added baking powder because I thought I had written the recipe down wrong. Never made cakes without it, does it matter?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
It will be fine if you added some baking powder, the eggs in this recipe should however, be enough to ensure it rises 🙂
Mary wood
Will be making these again ... they are so tasty ... i didn't bother with the drizzle just spread with butter as they have such a strong lemony taste and are so moist. Thanks so much.
Rebecca
Hi just wanted to ask about the sweetener. I have stevia but it very sweet so I don’t use it. I notice your using a different type. I was under the impression that artifical sweeteners weren’t good for you. Is this true?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
I use stevia and/or erythritol, both of which are natural (even though they may not sound natural). They is a good post to read "The Ultimate Guide To Sweeteners" where I explain what I use and what I don't. Which ones raise blood glucose, and which ones don't.
natalie
will oil work instead of butter as I am dairy free 🙂
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
I am sorry but I have never used oil in this recipe so can't say whether it would work or not, but I think it would change the texture and flavour. Can you tolerate ghee? Many readers who are dairy free can enjoy clarified ghee. Alternatively, try using coconut oil but you may have to add a pinch of salt and other flavours because the butter gives a creamy buttery punch.
Sylvia
I made it today and its fantastic!!! Thank you for sharing!!! They are so good. I used a 9x9 glass pan took a little longer to bake. So good!!!
Bec
Has anyone tried this with coconut yogurt? Or another dairy free option.
Danielle
I creamed the butter and sweetener, added the eggs and it turned into liquidy scrambled eggs consistency?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
This shouldn't happen, low carb recipe or not. Did you add the eggs one at a time and mix well? It should create lovely creamy batter.
Belen
The same thing happened to me. I creamed the butter and sugar and then added the eggs one at a time, mixing well everytime, but I still ended up with a “scrambled” look to it. Any ideas as to what might have gone wrong? The eggs were at room temperature.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Mine occasionally turns out like this, but it always seems to bake perfectly.
Christine (not a baker! ;)
I have just had the same thing happen two times in a row. What speed should the mixer be on for creaming, and does it matter whether you use the whisk attachment or the paddle? When you say add the eggs slowly one at a time - does that mean with the mixer on low? I know to beat each one in separately, but every time I add an egg, the whole mass turns to a gross clumpy broken mess. I thought my butter & Swerve were nicely creamed, but perhaps I had the mixer on too high? I thought the point was to beat air into the mixture to get it fluffy.
Claire Laurie
Me too. I had a lovely creamed butter mix and then a nasty scrambled egg mess. I added the flours anyway, because I had used the last of my sweetener so thought it was worth a try. It's in the oven now and after 15 minutes it is still 100% gloop
Sara
The cake was wonderful! But I managed to ruin it by accidentally using Pyure Organic Stevia EXTRACT powdered sweetener, which is insanely sweet. I only used 1 tbsp and mixed it with the lemon juice and it was too sweet. I thought it might be OK once it got into the cake.. and it wasn't. Don't make the same mistake as me!!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Oh dear. That is exactly why I don't use the pure stevia products, too much room for error. You can always add more sweetener, you can never take it out. I hope you managed to salvage it somehow.
Jennifer Beecroft
A delicious recipe, and so simple - thank you! I find that lemon works really well with stevia, will definitely be making these again. Took me less half an hour to make these, perfect.
Christi
I'm making this to take on a camping trip. My confusion is exactly what size pan are you using? Thank You, can't wait to try it. Sounds so good.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
This would be superb for a camping trip, and my raspberry fingers too. From memory I used my 20cmx20cm pan.
lynnpricewrites
I just made these, and I have to say that these are beyond amazing. They're so moist, and the lemon glaze takes this to a whole other dimension. Thank you so much for sharing!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
What a lovely review, thank you 🙂
Kathleen
When I copied recipe link over into my fitness pal it told me the carb value was 10.6 grams dietary fiber is 6.3 meaning it's 4.3grams of net carbs? It's saying carbs of which sugars is 1.2 g do I subtract that too? I don't usually make anything like this on keto. Also saying that calorie value was 255?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
I have stopped trusting MFP years ago. Their values are so inaccurate as many are "user added". In addition, some countries use total or net carbs and it is not clear which are represented. I use cronometer.com which is the most accurate database.
Shawn L. Bird
I am allergic to nuts, so I can't use almond flour. Can I just increase the coconut flour or should I look at another flour option to substitute for the almonds?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
You might want to read my article "Coconut flour vs almond flour". There is no easy substitution as you also have to vary the liquid quantities and number of eggs, so I would look at my cakes I already have developed using coconut flour - raspberry fingers, keto waffles for example. this one might be a bit tricky to adapt.
Robyn
These were great! Nice and moist and lemony. I only used 2 tbsp of Natvia in the mix and 3 tbsp in the lemon drizzle and that was sweet enough for me. I might actually use less sweetener in the drizzle next time or heat the lemon juice a bit so that it dissolves better. I used a 9 inch square pan but you could use a smaller one or add baking powder if you want them thicker.
Maureen
Thanks for the beautiful recipe Libby! It's so beautifully soft and delicious. I love lemon in anything and it's fantastic to find a spectacular low carb recipe I will use over and over again. So easy to make as well. Thank you so much!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Wow Maureen, I am delighted you love these. Enjoy 🙂
Kellie Rose
Is there any chance you could clarify the size of the baking tin for this please? Thanks
Tracey
Where does the vanilla come into play?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
I've amended it to make it clearer. It is added with the yoghurt, lemon etc.
Jan hodgson
No baking powder?
Jan
Libby - just checking because I made it too and it did not rise at all. It was delicious but seems other recipes do have some baking powder so just wondering? J
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
I don't use baking powder in this recipe as I like the bars to be slightly dense, rather than cake like, and the eggs should make it light enough. Saying that, feel free to add baking powder of you would like them a little risen. 🙂
Rachel
Can't have nuts, how can I substitute?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
If you can tolerate coconut flour, maybe try my flourless berry sponge?
Cindy Lyons
This is the first recipe I have tried from your website. Perfect! Easy & delicious! I'll be trying more of your recipes soon. Thanks!
Carol
Loved this recipe, so easy to make and rose up nicely, will be making again. Another great one for the Christmas table. Thank you for so many great recipes.
Kristy
Easy and delicious recipe! I've tried quite a few low carb dessert recipes from other sites and they never live up to expectations or even turn out like the picture. But this recipe is perfect! So delicious and satisfies that 3pm snack desire. My blood sugars didn't spike at all (I have type 1 diabetes), I used Natvia for sweetener. Will be making again and will definitely use this as my go-to recipe site 🙂
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Kirsty that is such a lovely review to read today, thank you so much and I'm glad you loved the lemon bars and the other recipes you are finding here.
Norma
Made these yesterday and they're delicious.
Moosch
Is almond flour the same as ground almonds? I'm in the UK
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Almond meal and ground almonds are the same thing. Almond flour is finer and has no almond skins in the mix.
kate
Hi all. I have just made this and is smells devine but I am struggling with tin size also. I have used a square medium baking tin but it has only risen barely 1/2". Is this right? The photo shows a proper piece of cake. Should I be using a smaller tin?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Hmm, the eggs alone should make the cake rise more than that.
Julie
The same thing happened with mine, only rose about 1/2", however it tasted great.
Carol
Sounds good. What size pan?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Gosh I cant remember and now my kitchen is packed up for my renovation so I can't go and measure for you. I do remember it was my ceramic rectangle baking dish. It was a medium size which allowed my to cut the tray down the centre then 5 rows across (hence it making 10 bars).
Alice Yucht
What size baking pan?
Doreen
Pictures below recipe show a 9 x 9" pan.