Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe

Introduction

These homemade lemon crumb bars offer a delightful balance of tart lemon filling and a buttery oat crust. Perfectly sweet and tangy, they make a refreshing treat for any occasion. With simple ingredients and an easy method, you’ll have a crowd-pleaser in under an hour.

Ingredients

• 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
• 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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray it lightly with nonstick spray.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, salt, and baking soda. In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
3. Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients into the dry until evenly combined. Reserve 3/4 cup of this mixture for the topping, then press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: While the crust bakes, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, egg yolk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and an additional teaspoon of vanilla until smooth.
5. Step 5: Pour the lemon filling over the warm baked crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly on top. Return to the oven and bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is set.
6. Step 6: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 squares for serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a sharper lemon flavor, add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest to the filling mixture.
• Swap sour cream for plain yogurt for a tangier taste with a bit less fat.
• Use a food processor to pulse the crust ingredients together for a finer crumb texture.
• Sprinkle a pinch of powdered sugar over the cooled bars to add a pretty finishing touch.

Storage

Store the lemon crumb bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They also freeze well; wrap tightly and keep frozen for up to 1 month. To enjoy, thaw bars in the fridge overnight and bring to room temperature before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled?

Yes, fresh lemon juice is preferred for the brightest and freshest flavor in these bars.

Do I need to line the baking pan with parchment paper?

Lining the pan makes it much easier to lift the bars out for cutting and serving, but you can also lightly grease the pan if you prefer.

Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe

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These Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars feature a buttery oat crust topped with a tangy and creamy lemon filling, finished with a sweet crumb topping. Perfectly balanced with bright citrus flavors and a tender texture, these bars make a delightful dessert or snack for any occasion.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Crust and 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

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

1. Preheat oven and prepare pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray it lightly with nonstick spray to ensure easy removal of the bars.
2. Mix dry ingredients for crust and topping. In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, salt, and baking soda to create a dry mixture that will form the base and topping crumbs.
3. Combine wet ingredients and mix with dry. In a separate bowl, combine melted unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Reserve 3/4 cup of this mixture for the crumb topping.
4. Form and bake crust. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create an even crust layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to set the base.
5. Prepare lemon filling. While the crust bakes, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, sour cream (or yogurt), egg yolk, freshly squeezed lemon juice, finely grated lemon zest, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and well combined.
6. Assemble bars and bake. Pour the lemon filling evenly over the partially baked crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb topping evenly over the filling. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 17 to 20 minutes until the topping is golden and the filling is set.
7. Cool and serve. Allow the lemon crumb bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 12 squares. This resting time ensures the bars firm up for clean cuts and the flavors meld beautifully.

Notes

• You can substitute sour cream with plain yogurt if desired without significantly changing the texture.
• Make sure to fully cool the bars before cutting to prevent the filling from becoming too soft or runny.
• For a more intense lemon flavor, consider adding an extra teaspoon of lemon zest in the filling.
• Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright, citrus flavor impact.
• Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Keywords: lemon bars, lemon crumb bars, homemade lemon dessert, lemon dessert bars, oat crust dessert, citrus bars, easy lemon bars, baked lemon bars