Description
These Lemon Cream Crumb Bars feature a buttery oat and flour crumb crust topped with a tangy, creamy lemon filling. Baked to golden perfection and chilled for the ideal texture, these bars are a delightful balance of sweet and tart, perfect for a refreshing dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Crust and Crumb Mixture
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1¼ cups old-fashioned oats (not quick oats)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 12 tablespoons salted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
Lemon Filling
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (about 2 large lemons)
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3 large lemons)
- 2 large egg yolks
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray a 9×9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal and cutting. Set aside.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and baking soda until evenly combined.
- Add wet ingredients to crumble: Stir in the melted butter and vanilla flavoring until the mixture is evenly moistened and resembles coarse wet sand.
- Form crust: Firmly press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Reserve the other half of the mixture for the topping and set it aside.
- Bake crust: Bake the crust layer for 11-12 minutes until slightly firm. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly while preparing the filling.
- Make lemon filling: In a separate bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and egg yolks. Stir until well combined and smooth.
- Assemble bars: Pour the lemon filling evenly over the slightly cooled crust layer. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the lemon filling and gently press it down to adhere.
- Bake assembled bars: Bake for 22-25 minutes. The center will appear pale and slightly jiggly while the edges turn golden brown. This is expected as the filling will firm up while cooling.
- Cool bars: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan at room temperature.
- Chill for best texture: Once cooled, cover the pan with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow the bars to set and thicken before cutting.
- Serve and store: Cut into 12 bars and serve chilled. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator to maintain firmness and freshness.
Notes
- Use old-fashioned oats, not quick oats, to maintain the crumb texture.
- Lemon juice and zest must be fresh for the best bright flavor.
- Do not overbake the lemon filling; it will set as it cools and chills.
- Refrigerate bars before cutting to ensure clean slices and a firm texture.
- These bars are best served chilled but can soften if left at room temperature for long periods.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 37 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
