Vegan Lemon Bars

By á-4939

These lemon bars are best eaten the same day, but they can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days

Ingredients

• Crust Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup non-hydrogenated, non-dairy butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• Filling Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup silken tofu (soft or firm)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Zest from 2 lemons
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (2 to 3 lemons)
• 2 Tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Confectioners' sugar, sifted

Preparation

Step 1

•1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
•2. Grease an 8 x 8 baking pan with canola oil (or use a cooking spray) and sprinkle with just a light dusting of all-purpose flour
•3. To make the crust, cream the butter and confectioners' sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the flour, and beat until the dough just comes together
•4. Press the crust mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan and bake for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned
•5. Remove crust from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool while you make the filling
•6. To make the filling, blend the tofu in a food processor or blender until creamy, about 1 minute
•7. Add the granulated sugar to the tofu, and blend until nice and smooth
•8. Blend in the lemon zest, lemon juice, flour, and cornstarch
•9. Pour the filling over the baked shortbread crust and bake for 30 minutes, or until the filling is set
•10. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool - if the filling isn't completely set, it will set as it cools
•11. To serve, cut into squares or bars and dust with the sifted confectioners' sugar

Allow the lemon bars to cool completely before serving - custard firms up more as it cools. Wait until you're just about to serve your lemon bars before you sprinkle them with the confectioners' sugar. Otherwise, it will soak into the bars and you'll miss out on the pretty presentation