Lemon Crumb Bars are a refreshing, sweet-tart dessert with a buttery crumbly crust, a creamy lemon filling, and a golden, crumbly topping. They’re the perfect balance of zesty lemon and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Here’s how you can make these delicious treats!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg yolk (reserve the egg white for the topping)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Lemon Filling:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2-3 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional for extra lemon flavor)
For the Crumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup rolled oats (optional, for added texture)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Make the Crust:
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt for the crust.
- Add the softened butter, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix until the dough comes together and forms a crumbly mixture.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a smooth layer.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until it is lightly golden brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and set aside.
3. Prepare the Lemon Filling:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest (if using) until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
- Pour the lemon filling evenly over the baked crust layer.
4. Make the Crumb Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, rolled oats (if using), and salt for the topping.
- Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter, fork, or your hands to work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. This will create the crumbly texture.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the lemon filling.
5. Bake the Bars:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the topping is golden brown.
- The bars will firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if the filling looks slightly jiggly when you remove them from the oven.
6. Cool and Serve:
- Let the lemon crumb bars cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, cut into squares or bars.
- For extra sweetness, you can dust the bars with powdered sugar before serving.
Tips:
- Make ahead: You can make these bars a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate them for longer shelf life.
- Zesty variation: For a more intense lemon flavor, increase the amount of lemon zest or add a splash of lemon extract to the filling.
- Freezing: These bars freeze well! Cut them into squares and freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Enjoy!
These Lemon Crumb Bars are sweet, tart, and satisfyingly crumbly—perfect for any lemon lover! They make for a great dessert at a gathering or a refreshing treat to enjoy during the warmer months. Would you like any more suggestions for lemon-inspired desserts?
