Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe
If you’re searching for a dessert that’s equal parts zesty, creamy, and delightfully crumbly, Lemon Crumb Bars are about to become your new favorite treat. Imagine a buttery oat crumble sandwiching a sunshine-bright, tangy lemon filling — every bite melts in your mouth and leaves you reaching for another square. These bars strike the perfect harmony between sweet, tart, and rich, with just the right hint of nostalgia baked in. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or an ordinary afternoon pick-me-up, Lemon Crumb Bars always deliver a slice of pure joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The stars of this recipe are simple pantry staples and a couple of lemons — nothing fancy, just the good stuff! Each ingredient brings its own flair, ensuring every bar is perfectly textured, flavorful, and absolutely irresistible.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure to both the base and crumble, balancing out the creamy lemon layer.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: Adds a lovely chew and rustic texture to the crumb layers.
- Salt: Just a touch enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
- Baking soda: Helps the crumb layer bake up with a golden, light crunch.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens up the oats and flour while keeping the crust crisp.
- Packed light brown sugar: Brings extra moisture and a subtle caramel note to the crumble.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Binds the crumb mixture together and lends that irresistible buttery richness.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the crumb with a warm, fragrant background flavor.
- Sweetened condensed milk: The secret to the luscious, creamy lemon filling.
- Finely grated lemon zest: Delivers unbeatable citrus fragrance and depth (make sure to zest only the yellow part!).
- Fresh lemon juice: Provides tartness and vibrant flavor; bottled juice just can’t compete here.
- Large egg yolks: Thicken the filling, giving it a smooth, custard-like texture.
How to Make Lemon Crumb Bars
Step 1: Prep the Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab an 8×8-inch baking pan and give it a thorough greasing with baking spray. This prevents sticking and makes for easy bar removal later — no wrestling with stubborn corners!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, salt, and baking soda. Stir them together until everything looks well mixed. This dry base sets the foundation for both the crispy bottom and the crumbly top layers of your Lemon Crumb Bars.
Step 3: Add the Sugars
Next, add both the granulated sugar and the light brown sugar to your bowl. The duo of sugars ensures the crumble is sweet, but also has that lovely hint of caramel flavor from the brown sugar.
Step 4: Mix in Butter and Vanilla
Pour the melted butter and vanilla extract into the dry mixture. Stir until everything is homogenous and the mixture starts to clump together nicely. You should be able to press some together in your hand and have it hold its shape, which means it’s perfect for pressing into the pan.
Step 5: Form the Crust
Scoop out half of the crumble mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup for even pressure, making sure there are no gaps. This base is what supports that gloriously creamy lemon filling!
Step 6: Bake the Bottom Layer
Slide the pan into the oven and bake the crust for 15 minutes. It should come out lightly golden and just set, the perfect canvas for your lemon layer.
Step 7: Whisk the Lemon Filling
While your crust is baking, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and egg yolks. The lemon zest is where so much bright, fragrant lemony flavor hides, so don’t skip it! Whisk until completely smooth and well blended.
Step 8: Assemble the Bars
Once the base is baked, pour the lemon filling evenly on top. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the lemon layer — this creates that signature “crumb” topping that browns beautifully in the oven.
Step 9: Final Bake
Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 20–22 minutes, until the topping is lightly golden and the filling gently jiggles in the center. The aroma will be absolutely mouthwatering!
Step 10: Cool and Chill
Let the Lemon Crumb Bars cool completely at room temperature. Then transfer them to the fridge to chill until very firm — at least a couple of hours. This crucial step sets the filling and makes slicing a breeze.
Step 11: Slice Like a Pro
For the cleanest, most photogenic squares, chill the bars thoroughly (or even freeze briefly) before cutting. This helps prevent the lemon filling from oozing out and ensures picture-perfect edges every time.
Step 12: Optional White Chocolate Dip
Feeling fancy? Dip the bottom half of the frozen bars in melted white chocolate, then lay them on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Pop them back in the fridge until the chocolate is set. Hello, Lemon Crumb Bars upgrade!
How to Serve Lemon Crumb Bars
Garnishes
To make your Lemon Crumb Bars look extra special, sprinkle a bit of fresh lemon zest or a dusting of powdered sugar on top just before serving. A thin twist of lemon peel or a few fresh raspberries add a pop of color and make each bar look bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
A refreshing cup of hot tea or iced coffee brings out the tang of the lemon, but if you want something a bit more decadent, a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside warm bars turns them into an unforgettable dessert. For a casual brunch, pair the bars with mixed berries or a fruit salad.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn Lemon Crumb Bars into a dessert platter centerpiece by arranging them on a cake stand and interspersing with lemon slices, edible flowers, or candied citrus peel. For parties or picnics, wrap each square in parchment and tie with baker’s twine for a charming grab-and-go treat. Why not stack a few on a plate, drizzle with a bit of extra lemon glaze, and serve like a tower of tangy goodness?
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After your Lemon Crumb Bars have cooled and been cut, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to five days, making them the perfect treat to snack on all week long.
Freezing
Lemon Crumb Bars freeze beautifully! Arrange the bars in a single layer (or separated by parchment paper) in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well for up to two months. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge when you’re ready for another taste of sunshine.
Reheating
These bars are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, but if you love a bit of warmth, microwave individual squares on low for about 10–15 seconds. This softens the crumble and brings those citrusy aromas wafting back to life.
FAQs
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
While bottled lemon juice is convenient, fresh lemon juice is key for that vibrant, tangy flavor in Lemon Crumb Bars. You’ll notice the difference, especially alongside the bright zest. Whenever possible, reach for fresh lemons!
Can these bars be made gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend and use certified gluten-free oats. The texture stays delightfully crumble and the citrus filling remains luscious.
Why do my Lemon Crumb Bars sometimes come out runny?
If your filling doesn’t set up, it might be due to underbaking or not chilling the bars long enough. Be sure to bake until just set and let the bars chill completely in the fridge before slicing.
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yes! You can easily double all the ingredients and bake them in a 9×13-inch pan. Just keep an eye on baking times, adding a few extra minutes if needed to ensure the bars are set and the top is a light golden brown.
Do I have to use white chocolate for dipping?
The white chocolate dip is totally optional, but it adds a fun twist! If you want to skip it, your Lemon Crumb Bars will still be full of flavor and totally craveable. Dip or not, they’re always a hit.
Final Thoughts
Nothing brightens a table (or your mood!) quite like a batch of Lemon Crumb Bars. They’re easy, crowd-pleasing, and packed with cheerful, sunshiny flavor. Gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a dessert that’s as joyful as it is delicious. Happy baking!
Print
Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 52 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Lemon Crumb Bars are a delightful combination of zesty lemon flavor and buttery crumbly goodness. Perfect for citrus lovers!
Ingredients
Crumble:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Lemon Filling:
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 large egg yolks
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with baking spray.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, salt, and baking soda.
- Add Sweeteners: Stir in the granulated sugar and brown sugar.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Mix the melted butter and vanilla extract, then add them to the dry ingredients. Stir until well combined.
- Prepare Crust: Press half of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Make Lemon Filling: While the crust is baking, whisk together the condensed milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, and egg yolks.
- Layer and Bake: Once the crust is done, pour the lemon filling over it. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the top. Bake for an additional 20–22 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Allow the bars to cool completely, then refrigerate until firm.
- Optional Chocolate Dip: For an extra treat, dip the bottom half of the frozen bars in melted white chocolate. Place them on a wax paper-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until set.
Notes
- For cleaner slices, chill the bars thoroughly or freeze briefly before cutting to prevent the filling from oozing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 37 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Lemon Crumb Bars, Lemon Bars Recipe, Citrus Dessert
