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close up image of a healthy cottage cheese lemon bar on a plate with a lemon slice on top.
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Healthy Cottage Cheese Lemon Bars

These healthy lemon bars are creamy, perfectly tart, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup - made with a secret ingredient (cottage cheese!) that keeps them higher in protein and silky smooth without any refined sugar. Built on a buttery graham cracker crust and baked to custardy perfection. These healthy lemon bars taste just as indulgent as the classic version but with healthier ingredients.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 9 servings

Equipment

  • 1 9x9-inch baking pan
  • 1 food processor or high speed blender

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 1 cup graham cracker or cookie crumbs
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil

For the lemon filling:

  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) cream cheese softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 4 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice (fresh is best!)
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325° Fahrenheit and line a 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, then lightly grease the inside.
  • Make the crust by mixing together the graham cracker or cookie crumbs and melted butter or coconut oil in a bowl, then press the mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes.
  • While the crust bakes, make the filling by adding all filling ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the filling over the crust, then bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bars are just set in the middle. (See Notes below on how to bake in a water bath to avoid any cracks).
  • Remove the bars from the oven and leave them to cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then transfer them in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours (or overnight).
  • Once the bars have chilled, remove them from the pan and cut into squares. Enjoy the lemon bars right away, or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days!

Notes

  • Blend the filling until completely smooth for the best texture.
  • Do not skip the chill time — the bars need at least 3 hours to fully set.
  • Top with a dusting of powdered sugar or fresh lemon zest before serving for a beautiful finish.
  • Water bath (optional, prevents cracking): Place your 8x8 pan inside a larger roasting pan and fill the roasting pan with about 1 inch of hot water before placing in the oven. The steam creates gentle, even heat that prevents the filling from cracking on top.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 12g | Sugar: 13g