ChefSteps is a team of chefs, writers, and food lovers who develop recipes, techniques, and guides to help people cook better at home.

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When you think of a tart and zesty silky-smooth custard set upon a tender cookie-like crumb, what do you picture? Lemon bars, right? A classic, they’re like edible sunshine. But we wondered if it was possible to create a similarly enjoyable eating experience with different flavors and colors. It turns out, the answer is yes! We’re raising the bar and unlocking the future of lemon squares with a juicer and garden-fresh produce. Bright and tender carrots and zingy ginger combine in these tangy-sweet and stunning bars. Malic acid pumps up the flavor and boosts the color. This acidulant has a pH higher than citric acid but, surprisingly, offers a stronger and more sustained sourness. This flavor palate trickery is beneficial for these carrot bars, which aren’t as acidic as the traditional version made with lemon juice. Whether or not you start every day with a fresh green juice, these bars are the perfect springtime-y, sunshine-y, juicy dessert!