Lemon Crumb Bars

What’s better than a sweet treat that balances tart and sugary flavors perfectly? Lemon crumb bars are that delightful combination of a buttery crumbly base topped with a luscious lemon filling. These bars provide a burst of sunshine in every bite, making them the ideal dessert for any occasion.

Imagine biting into a soft yet crunchy layer of lemony goodness that melts in your mouth. The bright citrus aroma wafts through the air as they bake in the oven, instantly uplifting your mood. Perfect for summer gatherings or cozy family dinners, these lemon crumb bars will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Crumb Bars

• Perfect Balance of Flavors: The tartness of fresh lemons contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of sugar, creating a harmonious blend that tantalizes your taste buds.
• Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and simple steps, anyone can whip up these delightful bars in no time.
• Versatile Dessert: These bars are perfect for any occasion—be it a picnic, birthday party, or just a sweet treat at home.
• Make Ahead Option: You can prepare these lemon crumb bars ahead of time and store them in the fridge for easy access to deliciousness whenever you want.

Ingredients for Lemon Crumb Bars

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• All-Purpose Flour: This forms the base of your crumb mixture and helps create that perfect texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness to both the crust and filling; you can adjust the amount based on your preference.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps achieve that buttery flavor; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
• Fresh Lemons: Use fresh lemons for juice and zest to ensure maximum flavor in your filling.
• Baking Powder: Helps give the filling a slight rise and light texture.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

How to Make Lemon Crumb Bars

Follow these simple steps to prepare this delicious dish:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8×8-inch baking dish by greasing it lightly with nonstick spray or lining it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the Crust

In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until you achieve a crumbly texture. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Prepare the Filling

In another bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, baking powder, and flour until smooth. Pour this mixture over the crust layer in the baking dish.

Step 4: Bake

Place the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the filling is set and slightly golden around the edges.

Step 5: Cool Down

Remove from oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature before cutting into squares. This will help set the filling properly.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature for an irresistible treat!

Tips and Tricks

Here are some helpful tips to ensure the best results for your dish:

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh lemons instead of bottled juice; it enhances flavor significantly.
• Let Them Cool Completely: Allowing your bars to cool fully prevents them from crumbling when cut.
• Add More Zest: For extra zing, feel free to add more lemon zest to both crust and filling.

Enjoy making these delicious lemon crumb bars that are sure to impress!

Mistakes to avoid

• Not measuring ingredients accurately: Precision is key when making Lemon Crumb Bars. If you don’t measure your ingredients correctly, it can lead to a crust that is too crumbly or overly dense. Use dry measuring cups for solids and liquid measuring cups for liquids. Always level off your dry ingredients with a knife for accuracy, and remember that even slight variations can impact the texture and flavor of your bars.
• Using old or stale ingredients: Freshness matters in baking, especially when it comes to the zest and juice of lemons. Using old lemons can result in less flavorful bars. Additionally, check the expiration dates on baking powder, flour, and other staples. Stale ingredients can lead to poor rising and taste, ultimately ruining your Lemon Crumb Bars.
• Overbaking the crust: The crust is a crucial component of Lemon Crumb Bars. Overbaking leads to a tough texture instead of the desired buttery crumb. Keep a close eye on the edges; they should be lightly golden but not dark brown. Remember that the bars will continue to cook slightly after removing them from the oven due to residual heat.
• Skipping the chilling time: After baking, it’s tempting to cut into your Lemon Crumb Bars right away. However, skipping the chilling time affects the set of your bars. Letting them cool completely allows the filling to firm up properly, resulting in cleaner slices and better texture. This step enhances both presentation and enjoyment.
• Ignoring flavor balance: The perfect Lemon Crumb Bars strike a balance between tartness and sweetness. If you add too much sugar or lemon juice without adjusting the other ingredient accordingly, you could end up with an unbalanced flavor profile. Taste your filling before pouring it over the crust to ensure it’s just right for your palate.

Ingredients

To make delicious Lemon Crumb Bars, gather the following ingredients:

– 1 cup all-purpose flour

– 1/2 cup granulated sugar

– 1/4 teaspoon salt

– 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

– 1 large egg

– 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

– Zest of one lemon

– 1 teaspoon baking powder

– Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your Lemon Crumb Bars:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Press half of this crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a crust. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until lightly golden.

While the crust bakes, prepare the lemon filling. In another bowl, whisk together the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and baking powder. Gradually add in the remaining crumb mixture until well combined.

Pour this lemon filling over the baked crust. Bake for an additional 20 minutes or until set and slightly golden on top.

Once done, allow it to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Serving Suggestions

These Lemon Crumb Bars are versatile and pair wonderfully with:

• Fresh berries: Serve alongside strawberries or blueberries for a refreshing contrast.
• Whipped cream: A dollop of whipped cream complements the tangy lemon flavor perfectly.
• Iced tea or lemonade: Enjoy these bars with a glass of iced tea or homemade lemonade for a delightful summer treat.

FAQs

What can I substitute for fresh lemon juice in Lemon Crumb Bars?

If you don’t have fresh lemon juice on hand, you can use bottled lemon juice as an alternative. However, fresh juice provides a brighter flavor that enhances the taste of your Lemon Crumb Bars. Additionally, you could consider using lime juice if you enjoy that tangy flavor profile. Keep in mind that substitutions may slightly alter the overall taste but will still yield delicious results.

Can I make Lemon Crumb Bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that your blend contains xanthan gum to help bind ingredients together effectively. The texture may vary slightly but should still be enjoyable and flavorful. Always check other ingredients like baking powder to ensure they are gluten-free as well.

How should I store leftover Lemon Crumb Bars?

To keep your Lemon Crumb Bars fresh after baking, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week. For even longer storage, consider freezing them wrapped tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. When ready to enjoy again, thaw and let them come to room temperature before serving.

Can I add other flavors to my Lemon Crumb Bars?

Absolutely! You can enhance your Lemon Crumb Bars by adding flavors such as vanilla extract or almond extract into the filling mixture. You might also consider incorporating poppy seeds for added texture or even swapping some of the lemon juice for orange juice for a citrus twist. Feel free to experiment while keeping the balance of flavors intact!

Conclusion for Lemon Crumb Bars

Lemon Crumb Bars are a delightful treat that’s easy to make and perfect for various occasions. With just a few simple ingredients including flour, sugar, butter, and fresh lemons, you can whip up this tangy dessert that everyone will love. Remember to follow each step carefully—from preparing your crust to baking your filling—to achieve that perfect texture and flavor combination. Whether enjoyed on their own or paired with berries and whipped cream, these bars offer a refreshing burst of citrus goodness that is sure to brighten any day!