Vegan Banana Lemon Bars

Coconut Oil is a must have ingredient in a South Indian kitchen. We use it widely in our day to day cooking. Also it acts a great moisturizer to your skin and has a lot of healing capabilities. Coconut Oil & Shredded Coconut has become a new fad in recent days and it is used from breakfast smoothies to breads and various other recipes. Glad people all over the world are realizing the nutritional values of this oil.

When I saw the #SwearbyIt challenge by Vita Coco hosted at Foodies 100 website, the first thing that came to mind was to prepare a coconut based Indian stew 🙂
But then I decided to come out of my comfort zone and try something different yet delicious. Hence prepared these Vegan Banana Lemon Bars.

I have read recipes about banana being used as a substitute for eggs but personally never tried it. So this is the first time I am baking a vegan bar with short bread base using Vita Coco Coconut oil and eggless banana based lemony layer. It tasted so divine and am glad that the debut attempt turned out well. Next time if you have any leftover over ripe bananas do try this recipe. Also it has no butter or eggs and can be prepared under 40 minutes.

This recipe is an entry into the #Swearbyit challenge with Vita Coco. Find more great coconut oil recipes and tips on using coconut oil at www.swearbyit.com

Free Organic Vita Coco coconut oil sample bottle that I received to use for this contest

Print Recipe

Vegan Banana Lemon Bars

Course

dessert

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Servings

piece

Ingredients

For the Base :

• 1 cup Self Raising Flour
• 1/4 cup Sugar Powdered
• 1/2 tsp Cardamom Powder
• 4 tbsps Coconut Oil Melted

For the topping :

• 2 Bananas Over Ripe
• 2 tbsps Lemon Zest
• 1 pinch yellow food color (I used turmeric, an Indian spice to give that light yellow color. This step is optional)
• 1/4 cup Lemon Juice
• 4 tbsps Corn Starch or Arrow Root starch
• 1/2 tsp sugar powdered
• 1 tbsp Plain Flour Self raising flour or

Course dessert Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 30 minutes Servings piece Ingredients For the Base : 1 cup Self Raising Flour 1/4 cup Sugar Powdered 1/2 tsp Cardamom Powder 4 tbsps Coconut Oil Melted For the topping : 2 Bananas Over Ripe 2 tbsps Lemon Zest 1 pinch yellow food color (I used turmeric, an Indian spice to give that light yellow color. This step is optional) 1/4 cup Lemon Juice 4 tbsps Corn Starch or Arrow Root starch 1/2 tsp sugar powdered 1 tbsp Plain Flour Self raising flour or

Instructions

Preparation of Base Layer :

1. For a good lemon bar, the base has to be perfect to hold the topping. It shouldn't get too soggy. Vita Coco virgin coconut oil acts as a perfect binding agent between flour and sugar. Addition of cardamom powder gives a nice aroma to the short bread layer. You definitely don't need butter to achieve this texture. I think i can #SwearByIt 🙂

   
2. In a widebowl add flour,powdered sugar and cardamom powder.
3. Pour the melted coconut oil and mix with your hands to form crumble.

   
4. Later grease a square tray with little oil and then fill it tightly with flour mixture

   
5. Preheat the oven at Gas Mark 4 and then bake until the edges turn golden brown Remove the tray from oven

   

Preparation of the Topping:

1. Mash the bananas using a fork

   
2. Add in lemon juice, corn starch and powdered sugar

   
3. Using a hand mixer mix it well

   
4. Add the lemon zest and turmeric/food coloring at the end

   
5. Again mix it at low speed for a minute

   
6. Now pour this over the shortbread layer

   
7. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes

   
8. Remove from oven and wait for atleast 45 minutes before you slice them

   
9. 
10. The bananas and lemons make a divine combination. The addition of lemon zest is really important since it enhances the flavor.

    
11. Before serving drizzle some powdered sugar and serve it

    
12. I had fresh basil leaves and raspberries. So thought of garnishing the vegan lemon bars with these beauties.

    
13. After one or two hours the banana layer will be well set and you can serve these delicious little piece of heaven to your guests. Am sure they will love it.