Keto Lemon Bar Cookies

Bright, zesty, and perfectly sweet without the carbs, these Keto Lemon Bar Cookies transform the classic lemon bar experience into convenient cookie form while keeping things low-carb friendly.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Keto Lemon Bar Cookies combine the bright, tangy flavor of traditional lemon bars with the convenience of cookies. They’re perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, with a soft, buttery texture that melts in your mouth. Best of all, they’re completely keto-friendly with just 150 calories per serving and minimal net carbs. Whether you’re following a ketogenic lifestyle or simply looking for a healthier sweet treat, these cookies deliver all the flavor without the guilt. They’re quick to prepare with simple ingredients you likely have on hand if you’re familiar with keto baking.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Almond flour forms the foundation of these keto cookies, providing a tender crumb and nutty flavor while keeping carbs low. It’s the perfect grain-free alternative to traditional wheat flour and gives these cookies their satisfying texture.

Swerve sweetener offers all the sweetness without the sugar or carbs. This erythritol-based sweetener measures cup-for-cup like regular sugar and doesn’t have the aftertaste some sugar alternatives can leave behind.

Butter brings richness and helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes these cookies irresistible. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for proper incorporation into the dough.

Egg acts as a binder in this recipe, helping to hold everything together while adding moisture and structure to the cookies.

Lemon juice provides the signature tangy flavor that makes these cookies special. Fresh is best, but bottled will work in a pinch.

Lemon zest is where much of the vibrant lemon flavor comes from. The essential oils in the zest deliver bright, aromatic notes that really make these cookies pop.

Vanilla extract balances the tartness of the lemon with its warm, sweet notes, creating a more complex and satisfying flavor profile.

Baking powder gives these cookies just the right amount of lift without making them cakey or too soft.

Salt enhances all the flavors in the recipe and provides balance to the sweetness and tartness.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together almond flour, sweetener, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add in butter, egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, mixing until dough forms.
4. Scoop spoonfuls of dough and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Flatten the dough into cookie shapes and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden on the edges.
6. Let cool before serving.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 12 servings, perfect for satisfying a family’s sweet tooth or for meal prepping your keto treats for the week. Each cookie contains approximately 150 calories. The preparation time is quick and straightforward at only 10 minutes, with a cooking time of 15 minutes. From start to finish, you can have these delicious keto cookies ready in just 25 minutes.

Variations

Coconut Lemon: Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened shredded coconut to the dough for a tropical twist.

Lemon Blueberry: Gently fold in 1/4 cup of fresh blueberries to the dough before baking for a fruity burst in every bite.

Lemon Poppyseed: Add 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds to the dough for that classic lemon poppyseed flavor and added texture.

White Chocolate Lemon: For those who can accommodate a few more carbs, fold in some sugar-free white chocolate chips for added sweetness and texture.

Lemon Lavender: Add 1/2 teaspoon of culinary-grade dried lavender to the dough for a sophisticated floral note that pairs beautifully with lemon.

Frosted Lemon Cookies: Create a simple keto-friendly frosting using cream cheese, a bit of Swerve, and lemon zest to spread or drizzle over cooled cookies.

Storage/Reheating

These Keto Lemon Bar Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator where they’ll stay fresh for up to a week. The cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months – simply place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

To restore freshness after storage, you can warm the cookies in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, a few seconds in the microwave will soften them nicely. If frozen, allow the cookies to thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying, or gently warm them in the oven to refresh their texture.

FAQs

Can I use coconut flour instead of almond flour?

Coconut flour is not a direct substitute for almond flour as it absorbs significantly more moisture. If you want to use coconut flour, you would need to adjust the recipe considerably, using only about 1/3 the amount and increasing the eggs and liquid ingredients.

How can I make these cookies more lemony?

For an extra lemon punch, you can increase the lemon zest to 2 tablespoons or add 1/4 teaspoon of lemon extract. You could also create a lemon glaze using powdered Swerve and lemon juice to drizzle over the cooled cookies.

Can I use a different keto-friendly sweetener?

Yes, you can substitute other keto-friendly sweeteners like monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, or allulose. Just be aware that different sweeteners have varying levels of sweetness, so you may need to adjust the amount to taste.

Why did my cookies spread too much during baking?

If your cookies spread too much, your butter might have been too warm or the dough wasn’t chilled enough. Try refrigerating the dough for 30 minutes before baking, or add an additional tablespoon or two of almond flour to firm up the consistency.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Allow it to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before scooping and baking.

Are these cookies crunchy or soft?

These cookies have a tender, slightly chewy texture with crisp edges when freshly baked. They’ll become softer over time in storage, especially if kept in an airtight container.

How can I tell when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies are ready when they’re lightly golden around the edges but still somewhat soft in the center. They will firm up as they cool, so be careful not to overbake them.

Can I make these dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute the butter with coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative. The texture might be slightly different, but the cookies will still be delicious.

How many net carbs are in each cookie?

While the exact net carb count isn’t specified in the original recipe, typical keto lemon cookies made with these ingredients generally contain around 2-3 net carbs per cookie, making them suitable for a ketogenic diet.

Can I add a glaze to these cookies?

Absolutely! For a keto-friendly glaze, mix powdered Swerve with a small amount of lemon juice until you reach your desired consistency, then drizzle over the cooled cookies for an extra touch of sweetness and lemon flavor.

Conclusion

These Keto Lemon Bar Cookies offer the perfect solution for anyone following a low-carb lifestyle who still craves a bright, zesty treat. With their perfect balance of tangy lemon and subtle sweetness, they satisfy dessert cravings without derailing your dietary goals. The simplicity of the recipe makes it accessible even to novice bakers, while the quick preparation time means you’re never more than 25 minutes away from enjoying a freshly baked keto treat. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or explore one of the suggested variations, these cookies are sure to become a regular in your keto baking rotation. Enjoy them as an afternoon pick-me-up with tea, as a post-dinner treat, or anytime you need a little something sweet to brighten your day.

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