The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and your taste buds are crying out for something zesty and sweet. Enter the glorious world of Lemon Crumb Barsβa treat that brings sunshine right into your kitchen. Imagine biting into buttery crumbs that melt in your mouth, giving way to a tart yet sweet lemon filling that dances on your palate. Itβs like a mini-vacation in every bite!
Iβll never forget the first time I made these delightful bars. I was trying to impress my friends at a summer picnic. Letβs just say they ended up impressed and I became known as the βLemon Bar Lady.β Now, these bars are my go-to treat for any gathering or lazy Sunday afternoon.
My friend took one bite and exclaimed it was like βa party in her mouth!β
Essential Ingredients
Hereβs what youβll need to make this delicious dish:
- Unsalted Butter: Use high-quality butter for rich flavor; donβt skimp hereβyour taste buds will thank you!
- Granulated Sugar: Regular sugar works best for sweetness; it also helps achieve that lovely crumb texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: A must-have for structure; sift it well to avoid lumps and ensure even mixing.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the flavor; bottled juice just wonβt cut it!
- Lemon Zest: Adds an extra zing; make sure to zest only the yellow part of the peel!
- Baking Powder: Essential for helping those bars rise slightly and become fluffy.
- Eggs: Two large eggs bring moisture and help bind everything togetherβtrust me, theyβre essential.
- Powdered Sugar: Perfect for a light dusting on top; adds sweetness without being too overwhelming.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Letβs Make it together
Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C) while you gather your suppliesβthis is where the magic begins.
Create the Base: In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. You should see some serious air bubbles forming.
Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly mix in all-purpose flour and baking powder until everything comes together into a soft dough that resembles wet sand.
Press into a Pan: Grease an 8Γ8-inch baking pan lightly with cooking spray or butter. Press about two-thirds of the dough firmly into the bottomβthis will be your crust!
Prepare the Filling: In another bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt until smooth; this luscious mixture is what dreams are made of.
Add Filling to Base: Pour the lemon mixture over your crustβdonβt be shy! Spread it evenly so every bite gets that zesty goodness.
Crumble Topping: Take the remaining dough crumbles from earlier and sprinkle them generously over the top of the lemon filling. You want this topping to look like little mountain ranges!
Bake in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top. Your kitchen will smell like a citrus paradise! Allow them to cool completely before slicing into squares.
Serve these Lemon Crumb Bars chilled or at room temperature with a light dusting of powdered sugar on topβyouβll feel like youβre sitting on a beach with every bite!
Happy baking!
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by making the crust first as it needs to cool before adding the lemon layer. Bake it until golden, then mix the filling while it cools to save time and ensure perfect layering.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap regular flour with almond flour for a gluten-free version. You can also add some fresh berries on top for an extra flavor boost and a pop of color!
Storing & Reheating
Store your Lemon Crumb Bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. If you want to enjoy them warm, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
The first time I made Lemon Crumb Bars, my friends devoured them in minutes! Their laughter and joy reminded me that simple treats can create wonderful memories.
FAQ
What can I substitute for lemons?
Try using lime juice or even orange juice for a different citrus twist.
Can I freeze Lemon Crumb Bars?
Yes, they freeze well! Just wrap them tightly and store in an airtight container.
How do I know when theyβre done baking?
The edges should be slightly golden, and the center should set but remain slightly jiggly.

Lemon Crumb Bars
- Author: Sofia
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings
Description
Lemon Crumb Bars are a refreshing treat that combines a buttery crumble with a zesty lemon filling, perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the bright flavors in every bite!
Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter
- Granulated Sugar
- All-Purpose Flour
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Lemon Zest
- Baking Powder
- Eggs
- Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C).
- In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Gradually mix in all-purpose flour and baking powder until a soft dough forms.
- Press about two-thirds of the dough into a greased 8Γ8-inch baking pan to form the crust.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt until smooth. Pour this mixture over the crust.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the lemon filling.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top. Allow to cool before slicing into bars.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: For gluten-free bars, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour. Add fresh berries on top before baking for extra flavor and color.