Vegan Lemon Bars

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9-inch square pan with foil. Give the foil a light coating of vegetable spray.

Step 2

Combine flour, butter, and powdered sugar in a food processor and pulse for several seconds, until combined, but still crumbly. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Top with either the Tofu Lemon Curd OR the Simple Lemon Curd.

Step 3

If you're making your lemon bars with the tofu lemon curd: In the same food processor bowl (no need to wash it out), add the tofu, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, and turmeric. Pulse until completely smooth. Pour the lemon filling over the crust and evenly distribute across the pan.

Step 4

Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the sides are golden brown and the filling is firm (if it's still overly jiggly, you should cook it a few more minutes).

Step 5

Remove from the oven and allow to cool. After it's cooled, transfer to the fridge and chill for 1–2 hours. Once chilled, grab both sides of the aluminum foil and remove it from the pan.

Step 6

If you're making your lemon bars with the simple lemon curd, in a bowl combine the lemon juice, sugar, milk, and cornstarch. Stir to combine the cornstarch. Pour into a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly to dissolve the sugar and to prevent lumps as the mixture thickens. Bring it to a low boil, then reduce heat to simmer and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly. The mixture should get fairly thick. If you get lumps, simply pulse the curd in a food processor or use an immersion blender.

Step 7

Once the mixture thickens, remove from heat, add the lemon extract, coconut oil, and turmeric. Stir to combine. Spoon out the lemon curd over the prepared crust.

Step 8

Bake for 30 minutes, until the sides are golden brown and the filling is slightly firm. It may be a little jiggly.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and allow to cool. After it's cooled, transfer to the fridge and chill for 2–3 hours. Once chilled, grab both sides of the aluminum foil and remove the bars from the pan.

Step 10

Sprinkle the tops of the bars with powdered sugar. Slice into bars and serve.

Step 11

Store lemon bars in the fridge. They will keep up to 5 days.