If you adore the bright, zesty flavor of lemon paired with a satisfyingly crumbly texture, this Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe is about to become your new favorite. Imagine a buttery oat-crumble base, topped with a luscious, tangy lemon filling and finished with a crisp, golden crumb topping that makes each bite a divine balance of tart and sweet. Perfect for afternoon tea or as a refreshingly indulgent dessert, these bars bring sunshine to your kitchen no matter what the season is.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a vital part, from creating the perfect crumbly crust to adding that refreshing lemon punch. These simple staples come together in harmony, giving your lemon bars a delightful texture and irresistible flavor, all while being easy to find in your pantry.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the crust and crumb topping, providing structure and tenderness.
- Old-fashioned oats: Adds a wholesome chewiness and a rustic texture to the crumb.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances the sweetness and balances the tartness of the lemon.
- Baking soda: Helps to lighten the crumb texture without overpowering the lemon filling.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Infuses richness and moisture for that perfect crumbly texture.
- Light brown sugar, packed: Brings warmth and a subtle molasses note that complements the lemon beautifully.
- Pure vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and adds a lovely aromatic touch.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Creates a creamy, smooth lemon filling that’s decadently sweet yet balanced.
- Sour cream (or plain yogurt): Adds tang and creaminess, enhancing the lemon’s brightness.
- Large egg yolk: Binds the lemon filling together for a silky texture.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice: The star of the show, delivering fresh tartness that awakens the taste buds.
- Finely grated lemon zest: Intensifies the lemon flavor and adds a vibrant, fragrant punch.
How to Make Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure your bars don’t stick and to make cleanup effortless. This simple prep sets you up for success from the very beginning.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients for the Crust and Crumb
Whisk together the flour, oats, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. This combination creates the textured base and crumb topping that give these bars their signature rustic crunch and subtle nuttiness.
Step 3: Prepare the Wet Mixture for the Crust
In a larger bowl, beat the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture thickens slightly and becomes velvety smooth. This step infuses the crust with rich, buttery flavor and helps bind the dry ingredients together.
Step 4: Combine and Bake the Crust Base
Add the dry mixture to your butter mixture and stir until just combined, reserving about ¾ cup of the crumb mixture for topping later. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes, allowing the crust to start setting with a hint of golden color.
Step 5: Whisk the Lemon Filling
In a clean bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, egg yolk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a splash of vanilla until completely smooth. This luscious filling is rich, silky, and bursting with tangy lemon flavor that’s balanced perfectly by the creamy base.
Step 6: Assemble and Finish Baking
Pour the smooth lemon filling over the warm crust base, spreading it out evenly. Then, sprinkle the reserved crumb topping over the filling for that classic crunchy finish. Bake everything together for another 17 to 20 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden shade and the filling is just set.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This step is key for clean cutting and letting the flavors meld perfectly. Once cooled, slice into squares and get ready for some serious snacking bliss.
How to Serve Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a garnish can elevate your lemon crumb bars from simply delicious to downright irresistible. A light dusting of powdered sugar looks beautiful and adds a sweet touch, while a few fresh mint leaves or thin lemon slices bring a pop of color and an extra hint of freshness.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a truly indulgent dessert. For a lighter approach, serve alongside a cup of hot herbal tea or chilled sparkling water with a slice of lemon to complement the bright citrus flavor perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe on a wooden board or rustic platter with fresh berries scattered around for a charming presentation. You could even dip the edges of each bar in melted white chocolate for a show-stopping sweet twist that everyone will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store these lemon crumb bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for about a week. Just be sure they’re fully cooled before storing to maintain that perfect crumbly texture.
Freezing
Want to enjoy these bars later? Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready for a treat, simply thaw them in the fridge overnight.
Reheating
If you prefer a warm lemon crumb bar, just pop a piece in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds. Warm bars taste heavenly, especially when paired with a cold scoop of ice cream or a steaming cup of tea.
FAQs
Can I use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled?
Absolutely! Freshly squeezed lemon juice is actually recommended for the best flavor in this Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe. It adds a vibrant brightness that bottled juice can’t quite match.
What if I don’t have old-fashioned oats?
If you only have quick oats, you can use those, but the texture will be less chewy and more fine. Old-fashioned oats provide the ideal rustic crumb texture that distinguishes this recipe.
Can I substitute yogurt for sour cream?
Yes, plain yogurt works beautifully in this recipe and adds a pleasant tanginess to the lemon filling, making it a great alternative if you prefer or only have yogurt on hand.
How do I prevent the crumb topping from burning?
Keep a close eye on the bars during the second baking stage. If the crumb topping is browning too quickly, you can loosely cover the pan with foil halfway through baking to protect it without sacrificing crispness.
Are these bars gluten-free?
This Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make a gluten-free version, substitute with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something so comforting and joyful about making a batch of this Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe. It’s like capturing a little sunny moment in every bite with layers of buttery crust, creamy lemon filling, and crisp crumble on top. I truly hope you give this recipe a try and find yourself reaching for these bars again and again, sharing them with friends and family who appreciate a deliciously fresh citrus treat as much as you do.
Print
Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars feature a buttery oat crumb crust topped with a creamy, tangy lemon filling. Baked to golden perfection, these bars are a perfect balance of sweetness and citrus zing, ideal for a refreshing dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Crust and Crumb Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Lemon Filling
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons sour cream (or plain yogurt)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, salt, and baking soda to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Prepare Crumb Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until the mixture is thick and well combined.
- Combine Crust and Crumb: Add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, stirring to combine. Reserve 3/4 cup of this mixture for the topping, then press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake this crust layer for 10 minutes to set.
- Make Lemon Filling: In another bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, sour cream (or plain yogurt), large egg yolk, freshly squeezed lemon juice, finely grated lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the lemon filling evenly over the pre-baked crust in the pan. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly on top of the lemon filling. Bake the assembled bars for an additional 17 to 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is set.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice into 16 squares and serve.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner edges when slicing.
- Sour cream can be substituted with plain yogurt for a slight variation in texture and flavor.
- Ensure the bars are fully cooled before slicing to prevent them from falling apart.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a more intense lemon flavor, increase the lemon zest by an additional teaspoon.
