Lemon Crumble Bars
These Lemon Crumble Bars are a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. A buttery, golden crumble forms both the crust and topping, while a smooth, zesty lemon filling adds a bright burst of citrus flavor in every bite. This delicious dessert is perfect for summer and incredibly easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.

If you love more lemon desserts check out my famous lemon loaf, lemon blueberry loaf, or lemon curd cheesecake, with homemade lemon curd. They are easy to make and sure to please everyone.
Why You’ll Love These Lemon Crumble Bars:
- Bright, fresh lemon flavor that’s perfectly balanced.
- Soft, creamy filling with a buttery crumble topping.
- Made with simple pantry ingredients.
- Easy to prepare with no fancy equipment needed.
- Perfect for parties, bake sales, holidays, or everyday desserts.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For the Crumble:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 142 g of salted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
For the Lemon Filling:
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp sour cream
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp finely grated lemon zest
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). Line an 8X8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make the Crumble: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, and baking soda.
- In another bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Mix the wet and dry ingredients until combined. Reserve 3/4 cup of the mixture for topping. Press the rest into the prepared pan.

- Bake: Bake for 10 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling: While the crust bakes, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, egg yolk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla until smooth.

- Assemble the Crust: Pour filling over baked crust and sprinkle reserved crumble evenly over the filling.


- Bake: Bake for another 17 to 20 minutes until golden.
- Cool: Cool completely before slicing into squares.

Tips for Success:
- Fresh lemon juice provides the best flavor.
- Chill the bars completely before cutting for clean slices.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Storage:
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use bottled lemon juice? Fresh lemon juice is highly recommended for the brightest, freshest flavor, but bottled lemon juice will work as well.
- Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely! They actually taste even better after chilling overnight.
- Do they need to be refrigerated? Yes. Because of the condensed milk and egg yolks, these bars should be stored in the refrigerator.
- How do I know when the lemon crumb bars are done? They’re done when the edges are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
These Lemon Crumble Bars are the perfect dessert for lemon lovers. The buttery crumble paired with the creamy citrus filling creates an irresistible combination that’s simple enough for beginners yet impressive enough for special occasions. If you have tried out this recipe, please leave a comment below I would love to hear your feedback.

Recipe inspired from Styled Food Kitchen.
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Lemon Crumble Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). Line an 8X8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make the Crumble: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, and baking soda.
- In another bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Mix the wet and dry ingredients until combined. Reserve 3/4 cup of the mixture for topping. Press the rest into the prepared pan.
- Bake: Bake for 10 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling: While the crust bakes, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, egg yolk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla until smooth.
- Assemble the Crust: Pour filling over baked crust and sprinkle reserved crumble evenly over the filling.
- Bake: Bake for another 17 to 20 minutes until golden.
- Cool: Cool completely before slicing into squares.
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