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Lemon Crumb Bars

Easy & Delicious Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe

Making these Lemon Crumb Bars is a breeze! With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a buttery, crumbly crust paired with a luscious, tangy lemon filling. The hardest part? Waiting for them to cool before digging in! 😋

  • Total Time: 45 min
  • Yield: 12 bars 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust & Crumb Topping:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Lemon Filling:

  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 large egg yolks

Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Crust & Crumb Topping

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, combine melted butter, flour, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is crumbly.
  3. Press two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the baking dish to form the crust.
  4. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until lightly golden. This helps keep the base crisp under the lemon filling.

2️⃣ Make the Lemon Filling

  1. While the crust bakes, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and egg yolks in a bowl until smooth.
  2. Pour the lemon mixture over the warm crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

3️⃣ Add the Crumb Topping & Bake

  1. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the lemon filling, ensuring an even layer.
  2. Bake for another 20–25 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the filling is set.
  3. Cool completely before slicing—this helps the bars firm up for perfect texture.

Notes

🌱 Variations & Substitutions

Gluten-Free Option

  • Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking mix or almond flour for a nuttier taste.

Vegan Adaptation

  • Replace sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk and use flax eggs instead of egg yolks.

Lower Sugar Version

  • Reduce sugar in the crust by 1-2 tablespoons, and use a sugar-free condensed milk alternative.
  • Author: Anna RM
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 30 min