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Lemon Crumble Bars

Lemon Crumble Bars
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Lemon Crumble Bars are a delightful dessert combining a tangy, fresh lemon filling with a buttery, crumbly topping. Easy to bake and bursting with citrus flavor, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart, ideal for any occasion from casual snacks to elegant dessert tables.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust and Topping

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking blend for GF version)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed

For the Lemon Filling

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest (from fresh lemons)

Optional Topping

  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press approximately two-thirds of this mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking pan to form an even crust. Bake for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden and set.
  2. Make the Lemon Filling: While the crust bakes, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and well combined. This mixture provides the bright, tangy flavor essential to the bars.
  3. Assemble and Bake: Pour the lemon filling evenly over the warm crust. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top, gently but thoroughly covering the lemon layer. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
  4. Cool and Serve: Allow the Lemon Crumble Bars to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to fully set. Before serving, dust with powdered sugar if desired and cut into squares.

Notes

  • Use cold butter to achieve the perfect crumbly texture in crust and topping.
  • Fresh lemon juice and zest deliver the brightest, most authentic flavor—avoid bottled lemon juice.
  • Do not overbake; the lemon filling should jiggle slightly when done to avoid dryness.
  • Chill bars fully before slicing to get clean edges and prevent crumbling.
  • Use a sharp knife, wiping it clean between cuts for neat squares.
  • For gluten-free option, substitute flour with a quality gluten-free baking blend.
  • To avoid soggy topping, bake crust thoroughly before adding filling and ensure butter is cold when mixing crumble.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon bars, lemon crumble bars, citrus dessert, easy lemon dessert, gluten-free lemon bars, homemade lemon bars, crumb dessert

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/lemon-crumble-bars/