These Mediterranean Creamy Lemon Squares have a silky and refreshing texture. We prepare these lemon squares with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, Greek yogurt, honey or maple syrup, olive oil, eggs, vanilla extract, cornstarch, and a light buttery almond-flour crust. These lemon squares contain about 185 calories. We make these lemon squares in under 50 minutes. These Mediterranean Creamy Lemon Squares are perfect for summer desserts, healthy sweet cravings, afternoon tea, family gatherings, festive dinners, meal prep treats, and elegant party platters. We refrigerate these lemon squares for almost 6 days and freeze them for longer than 2 months, so you can prepare them earlier. You can serve these Mediterranean Creamy Lemon Squares with fresh berries, herbal tea, mint yogurt dip, honey drizzle, or light whipped cream.
STATS:
- Course: Dessert
- No. of Calories: 185
- Diet: Vegetarian
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Portion size: 1 square
- Cooking mode: Baking
- Total servings: 12 squares
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Total time: 50 minutes
TOOLS:
- Bowls
- Whisk or Pan
- Baking paper
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Zester or grater
- Spatula
- Oven
INGREDIENTS:
CRUST:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup butter 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Salt
LEMON FILLING:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ¾ cup lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 eggs
- â…“ cup honey
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Salt
INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:
GREEK YOGURT:
- We use Greek yogurt to provide a slight tanginess to the lemon filling. As a substitute, you can use skyr.
HONEY:
- Honey is utilized to naturally sweeten the lemon squares. Alternatively, you can use date syrup.
OLIVE OIL:
- We add olive oil to include a subtle Mediterranean richness to the dessert. You may also use avocado oil as another option.
ALMOND FLOUR:
- Almond flour helps to create a tender crust with a light and nutty flavor. As an alternative, you can use oat flour or additional all-purpose flour.
CORNSTARCH:
- Cornstarch is used to thicken and stabilize the lemon filling for a smooth consistency. Instead, you can use tapioca starch.
LEMON JUICE:
- Lemon juice provides the signature bright texture and tangy flavor of these lemon squares. Alternatively, fresh lime juice can be used for a different citrus taste.
BUTTER:
- Butter is added to create a rich and tender crust with excellent texture. As another option, you can use vegan butter.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Warm the empty oven to 350° Fahrenheit and put the baking paper on a pan.
- Stir the melted butter, flour, vanilla, almond flour, honey, and salt in a dish till they are crumbly.
- Equally blend the crust mixture in a pan.
- Bake till it becomes slightly golden, for about twelve minutes.
- Mix the vanilla, eggs, cornstarch, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and lemon zest.
- Spread the filling on the warm crust.
- Bake till the middle is perfectly set, for about eighteen minutes.
- Bring them out of the oven and fully cool them.
- Before making slices of the squares, chill these lemon squares for almost two hours.
- Garnish with lemon zest or powdered sugar and then serve them.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
DAIRY & CREAMY:
- Whipped Cream
- Greek Yogurt
- Vanilla Yogurt
- Mascarpone Cream
- Clotted Cream
- Crème Fraîche
- Lemon Yogurt
- Honey Yogurt
TOPPINGS:
- Pistachios
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Pine Nuts
- Candied Almonds
- Toasted Hazelnuts
- Sesame Brittle
DRIZZLES:
- Honey
- Berry Compote
- Raspberry Sauce
- Blueberry Sauce
- Lemon Curd
- Vanilla Sauce
- Orange Blossom Syrup
- Date Syrup
HOT DRINKS:
- Mint Tea
- Chamomile Tea
- Green Tea
- Earl Grey Tea
- English Breakfast Tea
- Espresso
- Cappuccino
- Latte
COLD DRINKS:
- Sparkling Water
- Lemon Mint Water
- Iced Tea
- Fresh Lemonade
- Orange Juice
- Pomegranate Juice
- Iced Coffee
- Fruit Spritzers
DESSERT:
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Lemon Sorbet
- Berry Sorbet
- Coconut Ice Cream
- Shortbread Cookies
- Almond Biscotti
- Butter Cookies
- Meringue Cookies
GARNISH:
- Lemon Zest
- Fresh Mint Leaves
- Edible Flowers
- Powdered Sugar
- Candied Lemon Peel
- Micro Mint
- Pistachio Dust
- Toasted Coconut Flakes
TIPS:
- Avoid baking the filling for an extra time to retain a silky texture.
- Include a tbsp. of cream cheese in the filling to get an additional rich texture.
- Before cutting, completely refrigerate to make sharp and clean squares.
- We utilize freshly squeezed lemon juice for a perfect flavor.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Keep these lemon squares in a box for more than six days.
FREEZER:
- Store these lemon squares for longer than two months.
FAQs:
How can I prepare this dish vegan?
- Use coconut yogurt & vegan butter.
Why is my filling cracking?
Avoid overbaking or cooling right before baking.
How can I reduce sugar content?
- Use sugar-free syrup as a good alternative.
Should I utilize bottled lemon juice?
- Yes, although using fresh lemon juice will give you a perfect taste.
NUTRITIONAL FACTS:
Calories: 185 kcal
Sodium: 90 mg
Net carbs: 20 g
Fiber: 1.5 g
Sugar: 13 g
Fats: 9 g
Proteins: 4 g
Portion Size: 1 square
Total carbs: 21.5 g