Lemon Cottage Cheese Bars (Print Version)

Lemon zest and cottage cheese create moist, tender bars with a bright, tangy flavor and creamy texture.

# Ingredients:

→ Base

01 - 1 cup cottage cheese, drained
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
04 - 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
05 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
06 - 1/2 cup raw cane sugar
07 - 1 cup almond flour
08 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Topping (optional)

10 - 1/4 cup melted white chocolate
11 - 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line and lightly grease an 8x8-inch square baking pan.
02 - Melt white chocolate if using and set aside to cool slightly.
03 - In a blender or food processor, combine cottage cheese, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, lemon juice, and cane sugar. Blend until silky smooth.
04 - Add baking powder, salt, and melted white chocolate to the blended mixture. Blend briefly to incorporate.
05 - Add almond flour and gently fold in by hand or use a spatula to avoid overmixing.
06 - Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
07 - Scatter white chocolate chips over the surface, if desired.
08 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the center is just set and the edges are lightly golden.
09 - Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into uniform squares.

# Notes:

01 - For a lighter option, oat flour may be used in place of almond flour. Ensure cottage cheese is well-drained to achieve a dense, creamy texture.