Description
These Lemon Crumb Bars are a perfect blend of a buttery shortbread crust, a zesty lemon filling, and a sweet, crumbly topping. Each bite is a nostalgic trip to that sunny kitchen, making them a family favorite.
Ingredients
2 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
1 cup Granulated Sugar
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
½ teaspoon Salt
1 cup Unsalted Butter, cold and cubed
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar
¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
½ teaspoon Baking Powder
¼ teaspoon Salt
3 large Eggs
¾ cup Fresh Lemon Juice (from 3–4 lemons)
2 tablespoons Lemon Zest (from 2 lemons)
Powdered Sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare Your Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. Lightly grease the parchment paper
- Make the Crumb Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and vanilla extract. Use a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs
- Form the Crust: Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pa
- Partially Bake the Crust: Bake the crust for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden brown around the edges
- Prepare the Lemon Filling: Whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Gradually add to the dry ingredients, whisking until smooth
- Assemble the Lemon Crumb Bars: Pour the lemon filling evenly over the partially baked crust
- Add the Topping: Crumble the reserved one-third of the crumb mixture evenly over the lemon filling
- Bake the Bars: Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the lemon filling is set
- Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack, about 2-3 hours
- Slice and Serve: Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper, dust with powdered sugar, then slice into squares
Notes
For gluten-free bars, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
For a dairy-free option, use a plant-based butter alternative.
Ensure to use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280-320 kcal
- Sugar: 28-32 g
- Sodium: 120-140 mg
- Fat: 14-16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9-10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: unknown
- Trans Fat: unknown
- Carbohydrates: 38-42 g
- Fiber: 1-2 g
- Protein: 3-4 g
- Cholesterol: 60-70 mg