Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe
Delicious and tangy Lemon Crumb Bars featuring a buttery crumb crust topped with a smooth, creamy lemon filling and finished with a golden crumb topping. Perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, these bars are an irresistible treat for any occasion.
- Author: Isla
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Crust
- 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
For the Lemon Filling
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup fresh lemon juice (about 4–5 lemons)
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- Make the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press two-thirds of the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Prepare the Lemon Filling: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, heavy cream, and salt. Gradually whisk in the lemon juice until the filling is smooth and fully combined.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the lemon filling over the hot crust. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the top. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is set.
- Cool and Chill: Let the bars cool completely at room temperature. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor; bottled lemon juice lacks brightness.
- Allow melted butter to cool slightly before mixing to prevent a greasy crust.
- Use room temperature egg yolks to ensure smooth blending into the filling.
- Line the pan with parchment paper with an overhang to easily lift out the bars after baking.
- Chill bars for at least 4 hours to allow the filling to fully set for clean slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/16th of recipe)
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Lemon bars, crumb bars, lemon dessert, lemon crumb bars recipe, easy lemon bars, sweet lemon bars