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Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe

Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe

5.1 from 28 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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 45 lemons)

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Keywords: Lemon bars, crumb bars, lemon dessert, lemon crumb bars recipe, easy lemon bars, sweet lemon bars