These Triple Layer Paleo Lemon Bars with Coconut Whipped Cream are surprisingly easy to make and taste incredible – sweet and creamy with the perfect blend of textures and flavor. A great dessert for any occasion! Grain free, dairy free, and Paleo.
I’m all about coconut whipped cream lately! From my coffee, to these dreamy Paleo lemon bars, to sandwich cookies, to cookie cupcakes (coming soon!) it’s sort of my favorite thing to have on hand. Next stop might be ice cream, but for now I’m enjoying all the uses for this delicious dairy free whipped cream.
Honestly, I wasn’t even completely sold on the lemon layer of these triple layer bars before I made them, but I wanted something to complement the other two layers, and ’tis the season for lemon. Besides, once I actually made them, I was shocked and surprised at how simple and insanely delicious the lemon layer turned out!
Lemon bars, where have you been all my life? In someone else’s mouth I guess, but that’s all in the past. I’m just waiting for Mother’s Day now to make these again for whoever can get to them the fastest. Which will be me, because I’m the one making them. That’s how it works, y’all!
Always something to look forward to. But enough about me, the little guy (Drew) has a birthday tomorrow and he’s turning 5. My youngest and last child is 5 years old – this should be a real and legit milestone to cross, don’t you think? That, and when your oldest child grows taller than you. I’m thinking I have at least 2-3 more years before that happens, but I know it will. Diana is already wearing some of my old tops and continues to dominate the height chart for her age – she’ll be 9 this summer and is 55 inches already.
Drew is surprisingly keen on this coconut whipped cream too, which makes me wonder if I put a bit too much maple syrup in it. Although, for his birthday cupcakes, he’s requested to make real buttercream frosting with real powdered sugar (Youtube teaches him these things) on top of chocolate cupcakes. They can be gluten free but not Paleo, he says, and you can tell I’ve taken notes. The shopping trip took place this morning, and the cupcakes are just hours from creation.
But back to the lemon bars, here’s the deal. The bottom layer is actually a spin on a cookie recipe from months back that uses coconut flour and nut butter. I used cashew for its mild flavor and it came out perfect. For the lemon layer, I used Meyer lemons, but I’m certain you can use any lemon juice you like for this to turn out well. It’s sweetened with raw honey but maple syrup would also be a great option. Okay, you don’t want a narrative for a recipe, so let’s get down to the details, then – go make it!
Triple Layer Paleo Lemon Bars with Coconut Whipped Cream
Triple Layer Paleo Lemon Bars with Coconut Whipped Cream
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup organic coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup smooth cashew butter or almond butter
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp coconut flour
- 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
For the Filling
- 3 eggs + 1 yolk room temp
- 6 Tbsp raw honey
- 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp grated lemon zest
- 1 Tbsp tapioca flour
- 1 tsp coconut flour
For the Coconut Whipped Cream
- 1 can coconut cream or the thick part of full fat coconut milk
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup or raw honey
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice*
Instructions
Make the Crust First:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- In one bowl, whisk the egg, coconut sugar, nut butter, lemon juice, zest and vanilla until smooth. Then stir in the coconut flour until a sticky cookie dough forms.
- Grease the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch baking dish to prevent sticking, or line with parchment paper on the bottom and up the sides. Spread the crust out evenly on the bottom of the dish and just slightly up the sides. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes until just set, then remove.
For the Filling:
- While the crust bakes, whisk together the tapioca and coconut flour in a small bowl. In a larger bowl, combine the honey and lemon, then slowly add the flour mixture to incorporate until well combined and smooth. Whisk in each of the eggs one by one, do not overbeat the eggs to avoid the top cracking after baking.
- Pour this mixture over the baked crust, then bake another 20 minutes in the preheated oven until the lemon layer is set and just beginning to turn light brown**
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely at room temp before refrigerating to prevent the lemon layer from cracking.
For the Coconut Whipped Cream
- To make the whipped cream layer, in a large bowl, beat the coconut cream (or thick part of separated canned coconut milk) until light and creamy, then beat in the maple syrup or honey, vanilla, and lemon juice (if using)
- Refrigerate the whipped cream until ready to use. Once the lemon bars are totally cooled, spread the whipped cream evenly over the top of the bars, then cut into squares and serve, garnishing with a bit of grated lemon zest if you want. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*Optional but recommended for extra flavor
**Watch around 15 minutes to make sure you don't overbake
What’s your ultimate triple (or more) layer dessert?
Have you had lemon bars? Do you like them?
What are your weekend plans?
Typically I don’t go for lemon desserts if I am eating out and have options, but these actually look really good! My dad is really picky about desserts but he loves this kind of thing, so I will need to keep this recipe in mind for his birthday and fathers day next month!
I think you’d like them! I was pleasantly surprised 🙂
I love citrus in desserts. I went through a stage where I was obsessed with key lime pie. And coming from the South, you know that I adore lemon bars!
Your kids are funny! I don’t think I knew any of those food things growing up. Anything citrus I’m all about and that coconut frosting is one I use all the time!
I never thought I’d be making coconut whipped cream and putting it on everything but it’s SO good!
Lemon bars are THE BEST. Thank you for making this healthier version! Seriously obsessed!
Didn’t know what I was missing, I’m obsessed now too 🙂
You know I don’t think I’ve ever had a lemon bar :O Need to make vegan ones!!! I do love lemon sweets!
Vegan ones would be great! I still haven’t made that raw cheesecake I’ve been thinking about for a year..
Love all the coconut whipped cream! Dreaming of strawberries and cream now… And I think it’s hilarious that your 5 year old knows the GF vs. Paleo difference.
Lol I’m not sure he actually knows the difference but he thinks he does! Or at least he tastes it, lol 🙂
I’ve never had a lemon bar! Or actually any lemon-focused dessert. These look fantastic! Happy birthday to Drew!
Yum! This would make a good mother’s day dessert! I love lemon bars!
That’s totally what I’m thinking!
Pinned! I love lemony desserts- when I need a break from chocolate that is 😉
Totally agree, lemon and now key lime pie is on my radar 🙂
yum!!! love lemon bars.. my grandma used to make them all the time. I love that you did coconut whipped cream on top!!! these are definitely on my list to make!! have a great weekend!
Love the coconut whipped cream so you’ll be seeing it again! And same to you 🙂
I am looking forward to making these. We’re still loving those banana chocolate squares!
A huge milestone for me this year was when my baby, who is 14 and a half, passed me up in height. I am 5’9″ so that took some growing on his part. I knew the day would come and by all estimates he will be well into the 6’3″ mark by the time he’s done. I am surprised by the fact that it even affected me. He still hugs his mama at bedtime and it so bizarre to look UP at him or to see him leaning DOWN to hug me. He, of course, is thrilled to have passed up me AND his sister (almos 18) as she is about an inch taller than me!
That must be the most bizarre feeling and I can’t even imagine! Glad you’re still loving the banana bread 🙂
I love lemon anything so these are a definite win for me.
’tis the season! or so it feels like it 🙂
these look like lemon meringue pie!!! Drooling over these beauties <3
Thanks! I love lemon meringue too 🙂
These look like the perfect Mother’s Day brunch dessert! I don’t know how I’m just finding you (from the BGB Facebook group), but am so happy! I’ve been paleoish for the past couple years to heal some SIBO issues and have found it hard to keep it up since I’ve been pregnant, but these will definitely help with those 3rd trimester cravings 🙂
Hi! I can’t even imagine eating Paleo while pregnant since I ate tons of junk way back when during my pregnancies, BUT I definitely think there are so many great healthy options when cravings hit! Hope you try these out!
i feel like you know all our dessert obsessions. Yes, lemon is a winner in this house. and whipped cream! and um —> PALEO PERFECTION! i adore you for this. Pinning
Can’t go wrong with coconut whipped cream, it’s on everything lately!
YUM! These look so amazing. I’m a big fan on lemon desserts, but I never actually choose them, if that makes sense. I’m usually pulled away by chocolate chip cookies or cheesecake or chocolate.
I know what you mean, I had to push myself to make these but I’m so glad I did!
In the filling, can maple syrup substitute for the honey in this recipe? Thanks!
Yup, that would work just the same, possibly darker color though.
Hi There,
What would be a good alternative to cashew butter? Would almond butter or sunflower seed butter work? We have nut allergies in the home and almonds are the only nuts my son can have.
Can’t wait to try this recipe!! 🙂
Any creamy nut or seed butter will work for the crust texture wise but I would go with almond for the mildest flavor! Lmk how it goes:)
Thank you Michele! I can’t wait to try it!! 🙂
Any sub for tapioca flour? I don’t have any in the house and trying to figure out if i can sub or if i need to run out for it?
Thanks!
I haven’t tried the recipe without it so I’m not sure. Arrowroot is the only sub I know for tapioca that typically works!
Hi there! I don’t have cashew butter and was wondering if I could use vegan butter instead? Also, where do you buy your coconut cream in the can? I have only seen canned coconut milk. Thanks!
I haven’t used vegan butter in a recipe so not sure how it would compare. As for the coconut cream I purchase the small cans on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nbghoL although the thick part of the coconut milk can (when chilled, it separates) is the same thing, so either one will do.
Can you use regular honey instead of raw honey ?
Yes, that should work just fine 🙂
Hello! I am AIP so I can’t have nut/seed butters. Would coconut butter work as a substitute?
Thank you!
Yes I think that would work fine.
Am I missing a spot where I can jump to the recipe?
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Thanks