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Zesty Lemon Burst Protein Bars

Craving something sweet, tangy, and refreshing? These no bake Zesty Lemon Burst Protein Bars are the ideal treat! With just a handful of ingredients and no baking required, they make for the perfect any time snack or dessert.
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating
Keyword clean eating dessert or snack, creamy lemon protein bars no bake, healthy lemon protein bars, healthy no bake lemon protein bars, lemon protein bars no bake, zesty lemon burst protein bars
Servings 12

Ingredients

Base Crust

  • 1 1/2 cups almonds, cashews, walnuts or a mix
  • 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
  • 1/2 cup desiccated coconut

Lemon Cream Filling

  • 2 cups cashews, soaked 3+hours and drained
  • 1 13.5 oz can coconut cream,full fat (solid part only) *see note below
  • 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 2-3 lemons, juice and zest (depending on how lemon-y you like it)

Toppings Optional

  • Lemon slices or zest
  • Shredded coconut
  • Chopped nuts

Instructions

  • Note: Place the can of coconut cream in the fridge or freezer for at least 1-2 hours before making these bars to allow coconut cream to separate.
    Line an 8 x 8-inchbaking pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting.

Base Crust

  • Place almonds into a food processer and process until broken down and crumbly. Add dates and coconut and continue to process until mixture is sticky and well combined.
    Be careful not to over process as its nice to have texture variance and different sized “bits” in your base crust.
    Press the base mixture into the bottom of your lined pan or dish evenly with a spatula or back of a spoon. Refrigerate while you prepare the filling.  

Lemon Cream Filling

  • Open chilled can and scoop out the cream that has separated and set hard on the top. Save the remaining coconut water to use in a smoothie, drink, or discard.
    Place all filling ingredients, cashews, hardened coconut cream, protein powder, honey, lemon juice and zest into the food processor and process until smooth and creamy.
    Depending on the power of your blender this might take a few minutes. Stop blending to scrape the sides and continue to blend until very smooth. Taste test add more honey or lemon if you think it needs it.
    Pour the filling over the chilled crust and spread evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
    Top with your chosen toppings then place in freezer for 2–3 hours or until firm, then slice into 12 bars or more smaller squares.
    Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 3 months.
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