Lemon Crumb Bars (Tangy, Sweet, and Irresistibly Buttery!)

These Lemon Crumb Bars are a delightful treat that combines a buttery, crumbly crust and topping with a tangy, sweet, and creamy lemon filling. I love how this recipe is both easy to make and incredibly satisfying. The bright lemon flavor is perfect for spring and summer, but these bars are delicious any time of year. Get ready for a dessert that’s sure to become a new favorite!

Why You’ll Love These Lemon Crumb Bars

• Tangy and Sweet: The combination of a sweet, buttery crust and a tangy lemon filling is perfectly balanced.
• Crumbly and Creamy: You get the best of both worlds – a crumbly crust and topping with a smooth, creamy filling.
• Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: These bars are great for potlucks, picnics, bake sales, or a simple weeknight dessert.

Ingredients for Lemon Crumb Bars

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious bars. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Crust

• All-purpose flour (Dry Ingredient)
• Granulated sugar (Sweetener)
• Light brown sugar, packed (Sweetener)
• Salt (Seasoning)
• Baking powder (Leavening Agent)
• Unsalted butter, melted and cooled (Fat)

Lemon Filling

• Sweetened condensed milk (Dairy)
• Large egg yolks, room temperature (Binder)
• Heavy cream (Dairy)
• Salt (Seasoning)
• Fresh lemon juice (Acid/Flavoring)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love these Lemon Crumb Bars as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

• Different Citrus: Use lime juice or orange juice instead of lemon juice.
• Add Zest: Add some lemon zest, lime zest, or orange zest to the filling for extra citrus flavor.
• Add Berries: Stir in some fresh or frozen raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries to the filling.
• Make it a Glaze: Drizzle a simple glaze (powdered sugar mixed with lemon juice) over the cooled bars.
• Add Nuts: Add some to the crumb topping.

How to Make Lemon Crumb Bars

Let me show you how easy it is to make these Lemon Crumb Bars:

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan

1. I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. I line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper.

Make the Crust

1. I mix the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl.
2. I pour in the melted and cooled butter and mix until crumbly.

Press Crust into Pan

1. I press ⅔ of the crumb mixture into the prepared pan.
2. I bake for 15 minutes.

Make the Lemon Filling

1. While the crust bakes, I whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, heavy cream, and salt in a large bowl.
2. I gradually whisk in the lemon juice until smooth.

Assemble and Bake

1. I pour the filling over the hot crust.
2. I sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top.
3. I bake for 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is set.

Cool, Chill, and Serve

1. I cool the bars completely.
2. Then, I refrigerate for at least 4 hours before cutting and serving. This chilling time is important for allowing the filling to set completely.

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Lemon Bars

Here are my secrets for making these bars truly exceptional:

• Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice has the best flavor.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature egg yolks helps them to emulsify properly with the other ingredients.
• Don’t Overbake: The filling should be set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
• Chill Thoroughly: Chilling the bars for at least 4 hours allows the filling to set completely and makes them easier to cut.
• Parchment Paper: Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it easy to remove the bars.

How to Serve

These Lemon Crumb Bars are delicious served:

• Chilled: They’re best served chilled, straight from the refrigerator.
• With a Dusting of Powdered Sugar: Add a dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness and a pretty presentation.
• With Whipped Cream: Top with a dollop of whipped cream.
• With Fresh Berries: Serve with fresh berries for a pop of color and flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

These bars are perfect for making ahead! You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

FAQs about Lemon Crumb Bars

• Can I use a different type of citrus?
  • Yes, you can use lime juice or orange juice instead of lemon juice.
• Can I make these without the crumb topping?
  • Yes, you can omit the crumb topping and just bake the crust and filling.
• Can I freeze these bars?
  • Yes

Enjoy these tangy, sweet, and incredibly delicious Lemon Crumb Bars! They’re a perfect treat for any occasion.

Lemon Crumb Bars

• Author: Caoimhe Byrne
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Chill Time: 4 hours
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
• Yield: 9–16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert, Bars
• Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

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Description

These Lemon Crumb Bars are a bright and delicious treat with a buttery shortbread crust, a creamy, tangy lemon filling, and a crumbly topping. They’re perfect for a dessert, snack, or potluck.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Crust and Crumble Topping:

• 2 1/3 cups (292g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks, 170g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

For the Lemon Filling:

• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4–5 lemons)

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Instructions

• Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to help lift the bars out later.
• Make Crust/Crumble Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, packed light brown sugar, salt, and baking powder until well combined.
• Add Melted Butter: Pour the melted and slightly cooled butter over the dry ingredients. Stir with a fork or your hands until the mixture is crumbly.
• Press Crust into Pan: Reserve about 1/3 to 1/2 of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining 2/3 of the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
• Bake Crust: Bake the crust for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
• Make Lemon Filling: While the crust is baking, prepare the lemon filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, room-temperature egg yolks, heavy cream, and salt until well combined.
• Add Lemon Juice: Gradually whisk in the fresh lemon juice until the mixture is smooth.
• Pour Filling over Hot Crust: Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven. Carefully pour the lemon filling evenly over the hot crust.
• Add Crumble Topping: Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the top of the lemon filling.
• Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is set (it should jiggle only slightly when the pan is gently shaken).
• Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and let the lemon bars cool completely at room temperature.
• Chill: Once cooled to room temperature, cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the filling to set completely.
• Cut and Serve: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the chilled bars out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve.

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Notes

• Melted Butter: Make sure the melted butter is cooled slightly before adding it to the dry ingredients. This prevents the crust from being too greasy.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room-temperature egg yolks helps them emulsify properly with the other ingredients.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for the best flavor.
• Baking Time: The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
• Cooling and Chilling: It’s important to let the lemon bars cool completely at room temperature and then chill them thoroughly in the refrigerator. This allows the filling to set properly and makes them easier to cut.
• Serving Suggestions: These lemon crumb bars are delicious on their own, or with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream.
• Storage: Store Leftovers.