Another one of those ‘bet you can’t eat just one’ treats!

Its true, the buttery crust and tangy filling of a lemon bar can be so addicting…But the high amounts of butter, sugar, eggs, flour, sugar laden condensed milk used in a traditional recipe for these citrus-infused treats does not play along nicely with a healthy eating plan.

Good thing that my favourite thing to do is take an old fashioned ‘not-so-healthy’ recipe and healthify it – turning it into a healthier alternative.

If you are looking for the ultimate lemon bar recipe, then look no further. I promise you these are the best damn lemon bars you will ever taste. Bold claim I know!

But these bars are truly a minimum fuss dessert. They hit at only 10 ingredients! And the entire process goes like this: grind up the crust in the food processor, press the crust in, blend filling until smooth, pour filling, freeze, cut, done!

And for how easy they are, the flavour and richness are wild. So, SO good. I have the bars all cut up in a container in the freezer, and I just set one out to thaw a bit while we are cleaning up after dinner. Perfect sweet relief at the end of a busy day.

When life gives you lemons, you make lemon bars. It’s just what we do.

This version is made up of a nutty, oaty, coconutty bottom layer topped with a rich, creamy, tangy layer of lemon-y goodness. They are the perfect tart and tasty dessert for any occasion!

They are super easy to make (three cheers for no-bake treats!) and crammed with the perfect balance of tart-sweet flavour. I am quite certain this will be my new go-to item for pot lucks or family gatherings.

I love a good yummy something and it’s become a tradition that I make something for the weekend, almost every weekend. It’s just a nice way to reward yourself I think, and keep the sugar-intake at a minimum.

This recipe is a perfectly nutty and sweet base that is the foundation of the most epically creamy-dreamy, no bake lemon layer that’s wraps its bright and tangy self around thinly sliced strawberries for topping.

If you thought you were a “lemon person” before this post, just wait until you try the zippy-zingy flavor with sweet strawberries and rich, creamy cashew and coconut butter in these no bake lemon bars. Because these lemon bars are crazy amazing you can feel good about eating one or two of them, even for breakfast and not feel one piece of guilt about it!  🙂

Could there really be anything for magical and perfect and delicious to put into your mouth? I’m going with a hard NO on that one. They are little squares of heaven for the do-not-want-to-turn-the-oven-on-life that I live.

Add a few fresh, thinly sliced strawberries on top for that extra punch of flavor and you have got yourself a perfectly balanced lemon dessert with hints of tang, notes of sweet and creamy-cashew goodness to tie it all up in lemon LOVIN.

Just trust me on this… this is a no-bake, raw recipe for a dessert so delicious I think you should just make a double batch and call it a day!

Lemon Strawberry Bars

This healthy no bake lemon bar recipe has the flavor of sweet strawberries and creamy cashews with zippy lemon! Easy to make and beautiful to serve.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword clean eating dessert or snack, healthy lemon bars no bake, lemon strawberry bars, no bake lemon strawberry slice

Servings 10

Ingredients

Base Crust

• 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
• 1/2 cup almonds or walnuts
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• 1/2 cup rolled oats

Lemon Cream Filling

• 1 cup cashews, soaked 3+hours and drained
• 1/2 cup coconut butter, store bought or recipe below in notes
• 1/4 cup cashew (or any other nut or seed) butter
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 2 lemons, juice and zest

Topping

• 1 cup strawberries, thinly sliced

Instructions

Base Crust

• If you are going to make your own sugar free coconut butter make it first so its ready when you go to make the bars – recipe below in notes.

  Line an 7×5-inch loaf pan or dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to use as a handle.

  Place all base crust ingredients into a food processor and process for 2-3 minutes until a dough is formed. Its ok if some lumps remain as its nice to have texture variance in your base crust.

  Press the crust into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan and spread out evenly with the back of a spoon. Place into the fridge or freezer while you make the topping.

Lemon Cream Filling

• Place cashews into the food processor and process until broken down and crumbly. Add all the remaining ingredients, except the strawberries, and blend until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary.

  Pour over the crust and smooth out evenly. Top with the sliced strawberries and freeze until firm, about 2-4 hours. Cut into 10-12 bars or more smaller slices if preferred.

  DEVOUR! They don’t need any thawing 🙂

   

Notes

Homemade Coconut Butter

If you are anywhere near the health food or fitness circles, you have no doubt heard of coconut oil by now. But have you ever heard of coconut butter? Oh my gosh is it good.

It tastes like the most delicious, decadent, oh-so-bad-for-you treat.

Except, it’s not. It’s actually good for you. In fact, coconut butter packs a boatload of benefits:

It’s rich in lauric acid, which boosts immunity and destroys harmful bacteria, viruses, and funguses.

It actually boosts your metabolism, which aids in weight loss and increases energy levels.

Its a superb ingredient for protecting and replenishing the hair and skin

It’s packed with healthy fats, so you feel full longer.

It’s full of essential amino acids, calcium, and magnesium.

Basically, coconut butter is just plain awesome.

It’s so creamy, buttery, naturally sweet and full of nutrients, and it’s hard to believe that this tasty Homemade Coconut Butter from Scratch is made with one ingredient!

You may not know this, but a jar of high-quality coconut butter can be expensive.

Yes, that is one of the reasons that you should make you own - it’s unbelievably easy.

Besides being incredibly good for you, coconut butter greatly enhances the creamy texture of desserts, smoothies, ice creams, fudge and hot beverages. Even a spoonful out of the jar is not a bad thing.  😊

Once you start using it, you'll find many other ways to sneak it into your diet.

Homemade Coconut Butter recipe: 

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If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites