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Lower Sugar Lemon Bars Recipe

Craving a burst of sunshine? These Lower Sugar Lemon Bars deliver bright, zesty lemon flavor with significantly less sugar than traditional recipes! Inspired by Cook's Illustrated's key lime pie, we've cleverly used sugar-free lemon pudding mix for a delightful, guilt-free treat. Easily customizable – swap the lemon for your favorite pudding flavor, or omit the lemon zest for a simpler version. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without the sugar overload!

Prep Time 45 mins
Cook Time 160 mins
Calories 94.9 kcal
Protein 3g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Lower Sugar Lemon Bars 13

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Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Lower Sugar Lemon Bars

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How to Make Lower Sugar Lemon Bars

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the bars out later.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt. Cut in ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
  4. Meanwhile, prepare the lemon filling. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 (3.4 ounce) package sugar-free instant lemon pudding mix, 1 ½ cups cold milk, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional). Whisk until smooth and creamy.
  5. Pour the lemon filling evenly over the baked crust.
  6. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set. The edges should be slightly golden.
  7. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.
  8. Enjoy your light and refreshing, lower sugar lemon bars!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

2 g

Sugar

11g

Fat

14g

Carbs

3g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Preparation For Large Groups Desserts Cookies And Brownies Puddings And Mousses Bar Cookies Number Of Servings 4 Hours Or Less