Description
Lemon crumb bars bring sunshine to your dessert plate with a zesty, buttery treat that combines tangy citrus and sweet crumbly goodness. Craving a simple yet impressive bakery-style dessert that sparks smiles at gatherings and satisfies your afternoon snack cravings?
Ingredients
Scale
Base and Crumb:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
Filling:
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping:
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal.
- Combine 2 cups flour and ½ cup powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl, creating the base for your crumb layer.
- Cube 1 cup cold unsalted butter and work it into the flour mixture using your fingertips until the texture resembles coarse, uneven crumbs.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating a compact foundation for your bars.
- Bake the crust at 350°F for 15-18 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden color.
- In a separate bowl, whisk 4 large eggs with 2 cups granulated sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly frothy.
- Add ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons lemon zest to the egg mixture, stirring to distribute the bright citrus flavor.
- Incorporate ¼ cup flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt into the liquid ingredients, mixing until the filling achieves a silky consistency.
- Gently pour the lemon filling over the partially baked crust, ensuring an even distribution across the entire surface.
- Return the pan to the 350°F oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the filling sets and appears slightly firm when gently shaken.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which helps the filling stabilize.
- Dust the top generously with ¼ cup powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve for an elegant, snow-like finish.
- Slice into square portions and serve either chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing dessert.
Notes
- Add extra lemon zest for a brighter citrus flavor that makes these bars really pop.
- Use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled for the most vibrant and authentic taste.
- Chill the bars completely before cutting to get clean, sharp edges that look professional.
- Make sure your butter is cold when mixing the crust to create a perfectly crumbly texture that holds together beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-43 minutes
- Category: Dessert Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 283 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 59 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg