Oh, friends, prepare to meet your new favorite dessert! Imagine this: a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust, topped with a tangy, vibrant lemon filling, and finished with a perfectly crumbly, golden-brown topping. That’s the magic of these Crumb Bars. The first bite is a symphony of textures and flavors – the smooth, bright tang of lemon playing against the rich, buttery sweetness of the crust and crumble. It’s pure sunshine on a plate!
These Lemon Crumb Bars are inspired by childhood summers spent baking with my grandmother. She always had a knack for creating simple desserts that tasted like pure love, and this recipe is my ode to her. It’s the kind of treat that instantly brightens your day, perfect with a cup of tea on a lazy afternoon or as a sweet ending to a summer barbecue. These Crumb Bars are always a hit wherever I bring them!
This recipe is truly special because it’s surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers. The ingredients are simple, the steps are straightforward, and the results are divine. Whether you’re craving a bright and citrusy treat, need a crowd-pleasing dessert, or want to relive the joy of baking with grandma, these Lemon Crumb Bars are calling your name.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Ready in under an hour – perfect for when that dessert craving hits!
- The bright and tangy lemon Crumb Bars filling is utterly irresistible.
- The contrast of textures – smooth filling, crumbly topping, and crisp crust – is heavenly.
- Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or simply enjoying at home.
- This recipe utilizes simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry.
- They’re easily customizable with different citrus fruits or extracts.
- It is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that everyone will rave about!
Ingredients Breakdown:
The secret to amazing Lemon Crumb Bars lies in using high-quality ingredients.
- All-Purpose Flour: This forms the foundation of both the crust and the crumble. For the best results, use unbleached all-purpose flour. You can substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crust and crumble. Use regular granulated sugar; avoid powdered sugar in the crust.
- Unsalted Butter: Essential for creating that rich, buttery flavor and tender texture in both the crust and crumble. Make sure your butter is cold for the crumble and crust but softened for easy mixing in the lemon filling.
- Lemons: The star of the show! Freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest provide the signature tangy flavor. Look for lemons that are firm, heavy for their size, and have a bright yellow color. Store them in the refrigerator to help them last longer. Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, but the flavor won’t be quite as intense.
- Eggs Help bind the lemon filling together, creating a smooth, custard-like texture. Use large eggs at room temperature.
- Baking Powder: Ensures a light and tender lemon filling.
- Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the acidity of the lemon.
- Vanilla Extract: Optional, but adds a touch of warmth and complexity to the overall flavor. Use pure vanilla extract for the best results.
Kitchen Tools Needed:
Before you begin, make sure you have these essential tools on hand to bake the perfect Crumb Bars.
- 8×8 inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Pastry blender or fork
- Microplane (for zesting lemons)
- 3 in 1 Pastry Cutter Set: You can get 3 sets (5 pcs cookie cutters, a dough blender and a pastry scraper) of different b…
- Non-Slip Design: Stainless steel pastry scraper and dough blender have a rubber non-slip handle that is ergonomically de…
- Accurate Measurements: The “inches/cm” measurements marked clearly on the surface of each cutter. No more guess when you…
How to Make This Lemon Crumb Bars:
Follow these simple steps to create your batch of irresistible Lemon Crumb Bars.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. This will prevent the crumb bars from sticking.
- Make the crust: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press crust into the pan: Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remember the baking time may vary due to your oven.
- Make the lemon filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt. Add melted butter to the mixture.
- Pour filling over crust: Pour the lemon filling evenly over the pre-baked crust.
- Make the crumble topping: In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, and cold butter. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle crumble over filling: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the lemon filling.
- Bake the assembled bars: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is set. The edges should be slightly pulled away from the pan.
- Cool completely: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. This is essential for preventing the filling from being too soft.
- Lift and slice: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve! Perfect with a dusting of powdered sugar to add a final touch of sweetness.
Pro Tips for Success:
- Use cold butter in both the crust and crumble for the best texture. This will ensure those crumbly Crumb Bars retain their crispness.
- Don’t overbake the crust or the topping. Overbaking will result in dry Crumb Bars.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting to allow the filling to set properly.
- For a more intense lemon flavor, add an extra tablespoon of lemon zest to the filling.
- If the topping starts to brown too quickly, tent the pan with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Make these Crumb Bars ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for easy entertaining!
Variations and Dietary Swaps:
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in both the crust and crumble.
- Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free butter alternative in the crust and crumble. For the filling, replace the melted butter with coconut oil.
- Lime Crumb Bars: Substitute lime juice and zest for the lemon juice and zest for a refreshing twist.
- Berry Crumb Bars: Add a cup of fresh or frozen berries (such as blueberries or raspberries) to the lemon filling before topping with the crumble. The sweetness of the berries makes a wonderful contrast with the Lemon Crumb Bars’ tanginess.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve the bars chilled with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Dust with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
- Pair with a refreshing glass of iced tea, lemonade, or even a crisp white wine.
- These Lemon Crumb Bars are perfect for serving at picnics, potlucks, or afternoon tea parties.
Storage and Reheating:
Store leftover Crumb Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. Freezing is also an option – wrap squares individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Reheat from frozen in a low oven. The topping may lose some of its crispness after being stored, but the flavor will still be delicious!
I hope you love these Lemon Crumb Bars as much as I do! They’re the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and buttery, and they’re sure to become a new favorite in your household. I would love to hear what you think of these sunny Crumb Bars! Let me know in the comments below if you try my recipe and don’t forget to tag me in your culinary creations on Instagram or Facebook. What are you waiting for? Get baking!
Related Recipes:
- Raspberry Almond Cake: A moist and flavorful cake with a hint of almond and sweet raspberries.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Classic chocolate chip cookies but in bar form – perfect for a crowd! Much like the Crumb Bars, these are baked in a pan and easy to slice and serve.
- Apple Crumble: The ultimate warm and comforting dessert, filled with tender apples and topped with a buttery crumble.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Lemon Crumb Bars
Ingredients
Crust/Crumble:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Lemon Filling:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice from about 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest from about 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press crust into the pan: Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Make the lemon filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, melted butter, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour filling over crust: Pour the lemon filling evenly over the pre-baked crust.
- Make the crumble topping: In the same bowl, combine flour, sugar, and cold butter. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle crumble over filling: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the lemon filling.
- Bake the assembled bars: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is set.
- Cool completely: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
- Lift and slice: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve!
