Busy moms, this Lemon Crumb Bars recipe gives you bright flavor with very little fuss. It uses pantry staples and comes together fast, so you can pull a fresh dessert from the oven while dinner cooks or after soccer practice.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe uses a buttery crumb crust and a tangy lemon filling that kids and adults both like. Prep takes just a few minutes and most of the work is baking time. You do simple mixing, press the crust, pour the filling, and bake.
It travels well for school events or potlucks. The bars slice neatly after cooling. They hold up in a lunchbox and taste great at room temperature.
If you love simple bar desserts, you might also enjoy this classic apple crumble cheesecake for a different fruit-forward treat.
How to Make Lemon Crumb Bars
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 large eggs, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, Powdered sugar for dusting
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix 1 cup flour, powdered sugar, softened butter, and salt until crumbly. Press mixture into the bottom of the prepared dish to form the crust.
- Bake crust for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, the remaining 1/4 cup flour, and baking powder until smooth.
- Pour the lemon mixture over the baked crust.
- Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set.
- Allow to cool, then dust with powdered sugar before cutting into bars.
Lemon Crumb Bars
Bright and tangy Lemon Crumb Bars with a buttery crust, perfect for school events or as a quick dessert.
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix 1 cup flour, powdered sugar, softened butter, and salt until crumbly. Press mixture into the bottom of the prepared dish to form the crust.
- Bake crust for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, the remaining 1/4 cup flour, and baking powder until smooth.
- Pour the lemon mixture over the baked crust.
- Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set.
- Allow to cool, then dust with powdered sugar before cutting into bars.
Notes
Serve warm or at room temperature, dusted with extra powdered sugar. Can pair with vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
How to Serve Lemon Crumb Bars
Serve these bars slightly warm or at room temperature. Dust with extra powdered sugar right before serving for a pretty finish.
Pair a bar with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for a weekend treat. For a lighter option, serve with plain Greek yogurt and a few fresh berries. If you want another apple option for gatherings, try these easy caramel apple cheesecake bars.
How to Store
Cool the bars completely before storing. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Let chilled bars sit at room temperature 15 minutes before serving so the texture softens.
You can freeze cut bars in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for a few hours.
Tips and Variations
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best bright flavor. Bottled juice will work in a pinch but tastes flatter.
- Press the crust firmly into the pan so it bakes evenly and supports the filling.
- To check doneness, gently jiggle the pan. The center should be mostly set with a tiny wobble.
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the filling for extra depth.
- Swap half the granulated sugar for honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
- For a streusel top, reserve a few tablespoons of the crust mixture and sprinkle it over the lemon filling before the second bake.
FAQs
Q: Can I make these in a bigger pan?
A: Yes. Use a 9×13 pan and increase baking time by 5 to 10 minutes. Check for a set filling.
Q: Can I reduce the sugar?
A: You can cut granulated sugar by up to 25 percent. The bars will be tangier but still tasty.
Q: Do I need to chill the bars before cutting?
A: Chilling helps make clean slices, but you can cut them once they cool to room temperature.
Conclusion
These Lemon Crumb Bars give you bright, homemade flavor without a lot of fuss. They work for after-school snacks, dessert after dinner, or a quick bake for a playdate. Try the recipe, save it for later, and enjoy a simple, sunny treat your family will ask for again.
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