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- Makes 16 2-inch squares
- Serving size: 1 square
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This vegan, no-bake variation on lemon bars is made with a fluffy sweet potato filling that sets over a layer of ‘hidden’ fresh berries. A date-sweetened crumble is used for both the crust and for a sweet, slightly crunchy garnish.
Ingredients
Crumble
- 2 cups dates or date paste
- 1½ cups whole grain bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 pinches sea salt
Cream Layer
- 2 pounds unpeeled sweet potatoes, baked until tender (about 3 cups mashed)
- 3–4 tablespoons pure cane sugar
- 1½ tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups mixed fresh berries, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Place the dates in the bowl of a food processor, and pulse to break into small bits. Add the bread crumbs, vanilla, and salt, and pulse to the texture of coarse sand.
- Reserve ¼ cup of the crumble for topping, and press the rest of it into the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish. Press down to make an even, compact base layer. Transfer dish to refrigerator to chill for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Scoop the interior of the sweet potatoes into the bowl of a food processor, and discard potato skins. Add sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla to the sweet potato. Purée to a smooth, creamy texture.
- Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator, and spread a layer of fresh berries over the base layer. Cover the berries evenly with all of the sweet potato puree, and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the reserved crumble on top.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until ready to serve. To serve, cut into 16 squares, and garnish with fresh berries.
Nutritional Information:
Per serving (1 square): 134 calories, 32 g carbohydrates, 2 g protein, 0.3 g total fat, 0.1 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 66 mg sodium, 4.2 g fiber, 19 g sugar
Note: Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only.
Comments (2)
(5 from 2 votes)Love this creative vegan twist on lemon bars! The sweet potato filling and hidden berries sound delightful. For more healthy and unique menu ideas, ExploreWatchMenus!
The filling didn't congeal, but the flavor was great! We ate it more like pudding than cut squares.