HEMP LEMON BARS

Brighten up your day with our Vegan Hemp Lemon Bars, a delightful treat perfect for anyone with a surplus of lemons! This family-friendly recipe combines the zesty tang of lemon with the nutritious goodness of hemp, creating a dessert that's as healthy as it is delicious. 

 

Ingredients:

For the Filling:
  • 1 cup cashews 
  • 1 cup coconut cream 
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch 
  • ½ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed for the best flavour) 
  • 1 heaped tbsp lemon zest 
  • A pinch of salt ¼ cup 
  • Maple syrup (for natural sweetness) 
  • For the Crust: 
  • 1 cup oats 
  • ½ cup hemp seeds (a great source of plant-based protein) 
  • 1 cup raw almonds A pinch of sea salt 
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar 
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup 
  • 4-5 tbsp coconut oil, melted 

 

Directions:

  1. Begin by soaking the cashews, place them in a mixing bowl with boiling water and let them soak for about 1 hour. Then drain thoroughly. 
  2. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with baking paper. 
  3. In a blender, combine oats, almonds, hemp seeds, and coconut sugar. Blend until you achieve a fine meal texture. Transfer this mixture to a bowl. Stir in maple syrup and melted coconut oil until the mixture resembles a dough. If it's too crumbly, feel free to add a bit more coconut oil. 
  4. Pour this crust mixture into your lined baking dish. Spread it evenly and press it down with your fingers or a cup to ensure it's well distributed. 
  5. Bake the crust for 15 minutes. If it's not lightly browned, increase the temperature to 190°C and bake for another 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature back to 180°C. 
  6. For the filling, blend the soaked and drained cashews with coconut cream, cornstarch, lemon juice, lemon zest, and maple syrup until smooth. 
  7. Pour this creamy lemon filling over the crust, spreading it evenly. 
  8. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes. The filling should look slightly dry and set, not liquid. 
  9. Allow the bars to cool down, then refrigerate for about 3 hours to set completely. 
  10. Optional: Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch of sweetness. 

 

 

Enjoy these Vegan Hemp Lemon Bars as a delightful snack or a refreshing dessert, perfect for sharing with friends and family. They're a testament to the versatility and deliciousness of plant-based ingredients, especially when combined with the natural goodness of hemp! 🍋🌿