Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Lemon Crumb Bars—a perfect balance of tart lemon filling and buttery crumb topping:
Ingredients
For the Crust and Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Filling:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
- Zest of 1 lemon
Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the Crust
- In a bowl, cream butter + sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in flour + salt until crumbly.
- Press about 2/3 of the mixture evenly into the pan to form the crust.
3. Bake the Crust
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until lightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let it cool slightly.
4. Make the Lemon Filling
- In a bowl, whisk together sugar + eggs + flour + lemon juice + zest until smooth.
- Pour over the baked crust.
5. Add the Crumb Topping
- Crumble the remaining 1/3 of the crust mixture over the lemon filling.
6. Bake Again
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until the top is lightly golden and the filling is set.
- Let it cool completely, then refrigerate for 1–2 hours for clean slicing.
7. Serve
- Dust with powdered sugar (optional).
- Cut into squares or bars and enjoy!
💡 Tips for Perfect Lemon Bars
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for bright, tangy flavor.
- For extra buttery crumbs, chill the topping before baking.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days—flavor improves after a few hours.
If you want, I can also give a “one-bowl shortcut version” that makes these bars even faster with less cleanup. Do you want me to do that?
