Vegan Lime Squares
Vegan Lime Squares get their green color from all plant based whole foods. Treat yourself this St. Patrick's Day to a naturally green sweet treat!
Servings: 16
Calories: 173kcal
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 cup raw shelled pistachios
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour (gluten free, if desired)
- ½ cup organic powdered sugar
- ⅔ cup coconut oil room temperature, NOT melted
Filling
- ½ block silken tofu
- 1 small avocado
- ½ cup organic powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder
- 2 tablespoons lime zest
- ½ cup fresh lime juice
- handful of spinach optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 8x8 baking pan with oil (or line with parchment paper) and set aside.
- In a food processor fitted with the S blade, pulse the pistachios until a flour like consistency.
- Add flour, sugar and coconut oil, and pulse until combined and starting to form a dough. Do NOT over process!
- Press dough into the bottom of your prepared 8x8 pan.
- Bake crust for 20 minutes or until starting to brown and firm up. Set aside.
- While your crust is baking, prepare the filling. Add tofu, avocado, powdered sugar, arrowroot powder, lime zest, lime juice and spinach (if using) in the food processor or blender. Process until completely pureed and smooth.
- Pour the filling over the pre-baked crust and bake 20 minutes or until filing is set.
- Transfer the baking dish to a wire rack to cool completely, about one hour. The filling will firm up as it cools.
- Cut into squares and enjoy!
Video
Notes
~ Use room temperature coconut oil, not melted!
~ Process the crust just until it comes together like a thick dough. If you over process, the coconut oil will warm up and melt and the crust will become too soft.
~ Use fresh squeezed lime juice for best flavor!
~ Remember to zest the limes before juicing them. This tool makes quick work of the zest. And this one is great for easily juicing citrus.
~ Do not replace the arrowroot powder with cornstarch. Cornstarch tends to break down when used with acidic ingredients like lime juice.
~ Blend the filling into completely smooth and no lumps remain.
~ Taste the filling and adjust for sweetness levels and lime flavor. If you prefer a sweeter dessert, add another tablespoon or two of powdered sugar. If you like a more tart dessert, add another squeeze of lime.
~ Cook until the filling is just starting to firm up. It will still be soft, but shouldn't be liquidy or wobbly.
~ Let the bars cool before cutting them as they will continue to firm up as they cool.
~ This recipe will work with any citrus. Try key limes, lemons, oranges or grapefruit!
~ Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge.
Nutrition
Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 166mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 5.8mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.7mg