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    Home » Recipes » Cookies + Bars

    Low-Fluoride Lemon Meringue Pie Bars (GF)

    Jun 28, 2022 · 2 Comments

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    So there’s this rumor out there that lemon juice removes fluoride from water, but it’s not true. But that’s ok because these lemon bars steer clear of all high fluoride ingredients like raisins and low-quality dairy, which makes this a great fluoride-free recipe. Plus, they’re gorgeous and way easier to make than a pie.

    Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube🙂

    low-fluoride-lemon-meringue-pie-bars

    I developed this recipe when I was just craving a lemon meringue pie, but I didn't feel like going through the hassle of rolling out the crust, etc. Instead, I made a simple shortbread crust, topped it with a lemon curd that firms up in the oven, and topped it with basic meringue. 

    If you're looking for more lemon recipes, check out my recipe for lemon scones and lemon meringue pie.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • The Flour
    • FAQ
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • Low-Fluoride Lemon Meringue Pie Bars (GF)

    Ingredients

    low-fluoride-lemon-meringue-pie-bars
    • Unsalted butter
    • Gluten-free flour (I use King Arthur's)
    • Granulated sugar
    • Cornstarch
    • Eggs
    • Lemon juice
    • Cream of tartar
    • Non-fluoridated salt (I use Redmond Real Salt)

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.

    low-fluoride-lemon-meringue-pie-bars-process-shot

    In a food processor, pulse the butter, flour, granulated sugar, and corn starch together.

    low-fluoride-lemon-meringue-pie-bars-process-shot

    Pour the mixture into the baking pan and press into the bottom. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.

    low-fluoride-lemon-meringue-pie-bars-process-shot

    Combine all lemon filling ingredients in a large bowl and whisk until there are no clumps.

    low-fluoride-lemon-meringue-pie-bars-process-shot

    Pour over the shortbread mixture after it is done cooking in the oven for 30 minutes.

    Put the pan back in the oven for 30 minutes.

    Fill a medium saucepan with two inches of water and bring to a simmer.

    Combine all ingredients in a medium metal bowl that fits over the saucepan without touching the water.

    Place the metal bowl over the saucepan and whisk constantly for six minutes.

    low-fluoride-lemon-meringue-pie-bars

    Transfer the mixture to a big metal bowl and use an electric mixer at medium speed to mix until stiff peaks form. The electric mixer should be fitted with a whisk attachment.

    Fill a piping bag fitted with the tip of your choice with meringue. Set aside.

    Once the bars have cooled completely, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan.

    low-fluoride-lemon-meringue-pie-bars

    Slice the bars into squares and use the meringue piping bag to pipe the meringue on top of each bar.

    Use a butane torch to make the top of each meringue golden. 

    Hint: If you don’t have a blowtorch, you can line the bars on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for no more than 5 minutes. 

    Substitutions

    • Lemons - instead of lemons, you can use fresh oranges or limes.

    The Flour

    I used King Arthur's gluten-free flour for this recipe. It's a great go-to gluten-free flour that works on almost any non-yeast recipe. For yeast recipes, I use Caputo's gluten-free flour.

    low-fluoride-lemon-meringue-pie-bars

    FAQ

    What makes this recipe low in fluoride?

    I used high-quality organic eggs, organic lemons, and all organic ingredients. This recipe does not contain any high-fluoride foods like raisins, wine from California, or fluoridated water.

    Can I make this recipe into a pie?

    I would not recommend making this recipe into a pie because the crust will not cover the entire pie pan. If you're looking for a lemon meringue pie recipe, click HERE.

    What is non-fluoridated salt?

    Some salts contain anti-clumping agents that contain fluoride. Redmond Real Salt is a non-fluoridated salt that I use for all my salting needs.

    Can I make these lemon meringue pie bars ahead of time?

    You can make these lemon meringue pie bars ahead of time. I suggest making the bars one day in advance and storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Then, the day of, make the meringue and pipe it on top of each bar. That way, the meringue stays fresh.

    Equipment

    • Butane torch
    • 8x8 baking pan
    • Piping bag
    • Pre-cut parchment paper
    • Medium saucepan
    • Electric mixer and whisk attachment
    • Metal bowl
    low-fluoride-lemon-meringue-pie-bars

    Storage

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Top tip

    Line the baking pan with parchment paper to easily lift the bars out of the pan.

    low-fluoride-lemon-meringue-pie-bars

    Low-Fluoride Lemon Meringue Pie Bars (GF)

    I developed this recipe when I was just craving a lemon meringue pie, but I didn't feel like going through the hassle of rolling out the crust, etc. Instead, I made a simple shortbread crust, topped it with a lemon curd that firms up in the oven, and topped it with basic meringue. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9 bars

    Equipment

    • Butane torch
    • 8x8 baking pan
    • Piping bag
    • Pre-cut parchment paper
    • Medium saucepan
    • Electric mixer and whisk attachment
    • Metal bowl

    Ingredients
      

    Shortbread

    • 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter softened
    • 1 ½ cups gluten-free flour I used King Arthur’s
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 3 tablespoons cornstarch

    Lemon Filling

    • 4 eggs
    • 2 egg yolks
    • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • ½ cup gluten-free flour I used King Arthur’s

    Meringue

    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
    • 4 egg whites
    • ¼ teaspoon non-fluoridated salt

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.

    Shortbread

    • In a food processor, pulse the butter, flour, granulated sugar, and corn starch together.
    • Pour the mixture into the baking pan and press into the bottom.
    • Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.

    Lemon Filling

    • Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and whisk until there are no clumps.
    • Pour over the shortbread mixture after it is done cooking in the oven for 30 minutes.
    • Put the pan back in the oven for 30 minutes.

    Meringue

    • Fill a medium saucepan with two inches of water and bring to a simmer.
    • Combine all ingredients in a metal bowl that fits over the saucepan without touching the water.
    • Place the metal bowl over the saucepan and whisk constantly for six minutes.
    • Transfer the mixture to a big metal bowl and use an electric mixer at high speed to mix until stiff peaks form.
    • Fill a piping bag fitted with the tip of your choice with meringue. Set aside.

    Putting it together

    • Once the bars have cooled completely, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan.
    • Slice the bars into squares and use the meringue piping bag to pipe the meringue on top of each bar.
    • Use a butane torch to make the top of each meringue golden. If you don’t have a blowtorch, you can line the bars on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for no more than 5 minutes.

    Video

    Notes

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    Keyword berry meringue nests, fluoride, fluoride free recipe, french gluten free recipes, gluten free lemon bar, gluten free lemon bars, lemon bars, lemon meringue pie, lemon meringue pie bars, low fluoride recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jean says

      July 15, 2022 at 4:38 pm

      5 stars
      These turned out so well!

      Reply
      • Kate says

        July 15, 2022 at 8:47 pm

        So happy to hear!

        Reply

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    Hi there!

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