Print

Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 129 reviews

These Lemon Crumb Bars feature a buttery, crumbly crust topped with a tangy and creamy lemon filling, creating the perfect balance of sweet and tart in every bite. Ideal for dessert lovers who appreciate a refreshing citrus twist, these bars are easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 2 ⅓ cups (291 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • 12 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled until no longer hot to the touch

Lemon Filling

  • 1 14 oz (396 g) can sweetened condensed milk (do not use evaporated milk)
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ⅔ cup (157 ml) fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, salt, and baking powder. Mix well until evenly distributed.
  2. Add butter: Pour in the melted and cooled unsalted butter, then mix thoroughly using a spatula or hands until the mixture becomes crumbly and holds together when pressed.
  3. Press crust: Reserve about 1 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining crumbs firmly and evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×9 inch baking dish to form the crust layer.
  4. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the crust and filling.
  5. Make lemon filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, heavy cream, salt, and fresh lemon juice until smooth and well combined.
  6. Assemble bars: Pour the lemon filling evenly over the prepared crust in the baking dish.
  7. Add topping: Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the lemon filling to create the crumb topping.
  8. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the filling is set and the crumb topping is golden brown.
  9. Cool and chill: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set fully before slicing.
  10. Serve: Cut into squares and serve chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing dessert.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor in the filling.
  • Do not substitute evaporated milk for sweetened condensed milk as it will affect the sweetness and texture.
  • Make sure the melted butter is cooled before mixing with dry ingredients to prevent melting the sugars too much.
  • Allow bars to chill thoroughly in the fridge to ensure clean slices and proper firmness.
  • These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Keywords: lemon crumb bars, lemon bars, crumbly crust dessert, citrus dessert, sweetened condensed milk dessert

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/lemon-crumb-bars-recipe/