Whether you’re ready for a party or in need of a boost, you cannot go wrong with citrus. The bright aromas are a natural mood enhancer! We’ve been drooping this week, with fluctuating weather, my husband not feeling well, and the kitchen in chaos. So as I suggested before, when life gets you down, make lemon bars. Amen?
Last time I created Citrus Swirl Lemon Bars, which were more like a cookie bar, but with ribbons of marmalade and orange icing. Delicious. But I thought that this time I would make some lemon bars with a more traditional custard texture. Of course I had to tweak the standard version. What I added was a healthy tropical twist–mango! Also, I adapted these creamy bars from a recipe for GAPS lemon bars, so they are sweetened with pure honey. Sweet mangoes. Lemon zing. No refined sugars. How could I not try them?
Mango lemon bars would make a great dessert for Cinco de Mayo, mango-loving moms, or other festive gatherings on your calendar. Or maybe you want to make them just because mangoes are one of the world’s finest fruits. My reasons could easily be all of the above!
Lemon Filling:
1/2 cup Organic Lemon Juice
3 eggs
1/4 cup organic honey
1/4 cup melted butter or ghee <– coconut oil would work too
– See more at: http://www.mygutsy.com/gaps-lemon-bars/#sthash.YQMzAnNE.dpuf
Mango Lemon Bars
Ingredients:
For the crust
- 1 and 3/4 cups unsweetened fine coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
For the filling
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup fresh or frozen mango, cubed
- 1/3 cup pure honey
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup, optional
- pinch of sea salt
- 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil, melted, optional
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 300 F (150 C). Mix crust ingredients together in a medium bowl. Into a 9-inch (23 cm) square glass baking dish, spread crust mixture and press down firmly. Bake for 25 minutes or until crisp and golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, turn oven temperature up to 350 degrees F (180 C).
- Place filling ingredients into a blender jar and pulse until smooth. Pour filling over pre-baked crust. Bake at 350 degrees F (180 C) for 20 minutes or until middle is nearly set. Remove from oven and let cool completely before cutting. Store in the refrigerator.
I’m bringing these bars to Fiesta Friday this week. I also enjoy sharing recipes at Allergy Free Wednesdays and here.
I’m linking this to Savoring Saturdays too.
Swirls and Spice 
This is right up my alley, Julia. Mangoes, lemons, what’s not to like? They look so bright and happy, it’d be hard to resist them. Thanks for bringing these to the fiesta! 🙂
The fiesta has been great! I love the interaction. Great people and good food. Thanks for making it all possible.
Mangoes really add a lot to recipes, whether it is a dessert, salad, salsa and so on. I definitely would add the maple syrup 🙂 Thanks for your post as it is another delicious way to add mangoes to a recipe 🙂
Mangoes are one of my favorite fruits! Glad you like the recipe! Have you seen my Mango Chicken Curry? You might enjoy that too.
Mangoes and lemon! Yes please! The colors of your bars are so bright and cheery. 🙂
Thanks! They certainly made me happy. 🙂
Wow! These sound wonderful! Thanks!
Glad you liked them! The filling makes a nice fruit dip too. I just turned it into a custard sauce via the microwave.
Looks so tasty with mango and lemon 🙂
Thanks!
Love lemon bars! Loving the coconut crust- amazing flavours!
Thanks! I think almost any crust would work, but I’m partial to coconut. 🙂
I love mangoes! Great idea for lemon bar twist 🙂
The lemon is a strong flavour, but the mango smoothes it out somewhat. If you are really into mangoes, I think you could up the mango content just a bit and maybe add another egg yolk.
Ooh, these sound delicious!! The coconut crust is an especially nice touch. I’ll have to make some of these the next time I get some mangoes!
Enjoy! Next time I might see how they are with slightly less crust. The mango lemon filling is my favourite part. 🙂
These are so happy and sunny, I’m loving your baked creations Julia! And using mangoes instead of lemons is so creative, I’ll have to try find frozen mangoes to make this bar, since we won’t have mango season in Australia until Christmas time… What a great recipe to share with Fiesta Friday! 😀
I think frozen mangoes will work just fine, especially since they will be pureed anyway. Our mangoes are imported from Mexico, so it’s a little unpredictable when fresh ones are available. Thanks for visiting!
These are like sunshine! So pretty! They sound scrumptious and I love that you used honey to sweeten them.
Thanks, Reeni!
These look great! What a great combo!
It’s nice when an idea turns out so well. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m guessing canned mangoes would work okay with this. As I don’t like their texture by themselves. Loving the combination of flavours here. And must, must start baking with coconut! I even have a large bag of the stuff in my baking drawer. Possibly not even opened.
Go for it!
OMG, mango, lemon and coconut in one bite? Mmm thanks for this beauty of a recipe! Very yummy indeed! 😀
Enjoy!
coconut, mango, lemons–does life get any better?? I think not! Yummy.
My taste buds concur.
I love lemon bars and the addition of mango is just raising the love quotient. Love how bright these turned out!
Thanks! They definitely succeeded in cheering me up. 🙂
Oh, these are SO gorgeous! I love all things mango so these bars make me so happy!
Mango lemon bars are meant to do just that!
These look really yummy. I love lemon bars but I love mango taste even better. Pinning for later.
The mango lemon filling is so good that I am going to have to make more soon. Thanks for the pin!
These look fabulous! Love mangoes and coconut anyway! 🙂
They are a perfect match in my opinion… 🙂
These look fabulous! Cannot wait to try–just need to get some coconut! 🙂
Is this a recipe for my family!! WE LOVE lemon, coconut and mango..and I’m gluten free..Thank you thank you.. Pinning this right now. I’m visiting from the Pinterest blog carnival and it’s my first time on your blog. Your recipes look amazing .I’m following your social media and subscribing.. Can’t wait to browse through your blog.
I’m so glad you like the recipe. Thanks for following me on my adventures in the kitchen! It’s a pleasure to have you. 🙂
Mango and lemon sound like a great combination, these bars look very yummy. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
Mango, coconut and lemon are three of my favorite things. I can only imagine how good they are in combination.
Thanks, Lulu. I really think you’ll like them.
I love a good slice, and these bars look like my idea of absolute heaven.
Mmm, pass me one please! These sounds simply delicious!
I’m happy to share! 🙂
I LOVE mangoes, and lemon bars. Never thought of putting them together. 🙂 Definitely featuring these at Savoring Saturdays. 😉 Can’t wait to see what you share this weekend!
Well, that news certainly makes my day brighter! Thanks, Raia! 🙂