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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Easy Lemon Crumb Bars

    Posted: Mar 21, 2025 by Sara · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A close-up of two stacked Easy Lemon Crumb Bars with a buttery oat crumble, a creamy lemon filling, and a golden crust, set against a background of lemon slices and a soft blue cloth.

    These Easy Lemon Crumb Bars are a refreshing springtime dessert full of bright lemon flavor! With a tangy lemon custard nestled in between a buttery oat-crumble crust, these bars serve as the perfect dessert for a family get-together or a bright spring day. Plus, they’re quick and easy to prepare, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying these delightful treats!

    A stack of two lemon crumb bars, showcasing the thick, luscious lemon filling and golden oat crumble layers.

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    These bars are perfect for any occasion, from casual family gatherings to holiday celebrations. They store well in the refrigerator and taste even better when chilled, making them an excellent make-ahead treat.

    Serve them with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence. Once you try them, they’ll quickly become a favorite in your dessert rotation!

    If you’re craving more bright and flavorful desserts, I’ve got plenty of delicious options for you to try. My Lemon Pocket Cake is a soft, citrusy treat, while No-Bake Lemon Pie offer a creamy, refreshing twist. And if you love a good crumb topping, don’t miss my Raspberry Crumble Bars, packed with fresh fruit and a buttery oat crumble!

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • How to Make Lemon Bars with Crumb Topping
    • Helpful Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Storage & Freezing Instructions
    • More Luscious Lemon Dessert Recipes You'll Love
    • Did you try this recipe?
    • Easy Lemon Crumb Bars

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Fresh Lemon Flavor: A dream for lemon lovers! Fresh lemon zest and juice create the perfect balance of sweet and tart in every bite. These bars are bright, zesty, and impossible to resist.
    • Springtime Dessert: Light, refreshing, and sunshine in dessert form. Whether you're baking for a spring brunch, Easter gathering, or just because, these bars bring a burst of citrusy joy to any occasion. Serve alongside our Blueberry Fluff Salad for a light and fruity complement to your spread.
    • Quick, Easy & Foolproof: Made with simple pantry staples, these bars come together in no time. No fancy techniques—just mix, bake, and enjoy. The hardest part? Waiting for them to cool!
    • Buttery, Crumbly Perfection: A buttery oat crust, luscious lemon filling, and a golden crumble topping—every bite melts in your mouth. For a chocolaty twist, try our Fudge Crumble Bars, combining rich fudge and peanut butter flavors enveloped by a delicious yellow cake mix crust and crumble topping!

    Ingredients

    Gather the ingredients below to make these easy lemon crumb bars!

    A top-down view of the key ingredients for lemon crumb bars, including oats, flour, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, lemons, and butter.
    • All-purpose flour helps create the structure of the oat crust. 
    • Quick oats help the oats to cook faster.
    • Granulated and packed light brown sugar give the crust sweetness and balance out the tartness of the lemon filling. 
    • Unsalted butter keeps the oatmeal buttery and binds it together. Melted butter makes the mixing process super quick and simple! You can use salted butter in a pinch, but you’ll want to omit the extra salt.
    • Vanilla extract adds a sweet flavor to the oat crumble crust. 
    • Sweetened condensed milk makes the lemon filling rich and creamy. Make sure to read labels carefully to avoid accidentally using evaporated milk!
    • Finely grated lemon zest enhances the fresh lemon flavor. 
    • Fresh lemon juice is always preferred over bottled juice, as it gives a better, fresher flavor. Bottled juice can always be used in a pinch!
    • Egg yolks make the lemon filling creamy and smooth. Using just the yolks gives the lemon filling the perfect custard texture.

    See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    Substitutions & Variations

    • Add Powdered Sugar: Sprinkle some powdered sugar on your bars for a little extra sweetness! 
    • Old-fashioned Oats: Although they may take a little longer to cook, feel free to use old-fashioned oats in place of quick oats if you prefer. 
    • Extract Variant: You can use almond extract for a slightly different flavor. 
    • Berry Add-ins: To make these bars even sweeter and fruitier, you can add fresh raspberries or blueberries to your filling or as a topping. If you're a fan of tart, fruity flavors, you'll love my Cranberry Crumble Bars. With a perfectly balanced sweet-tart cranberry filling nestled between layers of buttery oat crumble, they’re a delicious treat for any time of year!
    • Nutty Oat Crust: Add some chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts to your oat crust for some extra flavor and crunch.

    How to Make Lemon Bars with Crumb Topping

    Once you've gathered all your ingredients, preheat the oven to 350ºF and prepare an 8x8-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray. Then, follow the steps below to make these homemade lemon crumb bars.

    Brown sugar and granulated sugar added to dry ingredients in a glass mixing bowl, preparing the base of the buttery crumble.
    1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, quick oats, salt, baking soda, sugar, and brown sugar, then mix well.
    Melted butter being poured into the oat mixture, creating the rich, crumbly texture for a crust and topping.
    1. Step 2: Add melted butter and vanilla. Work mixture together until dough forms.
    The prepared oat and brown sugar crust pressed into a baking dish, forming the base for lemon bars.
    1. Step 3: Firmly press half of the mixture into your prepared baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.
    Smooth, creamy lemon filling spread evenly over a baked crust.
    1. Step 4: While the crust bakes, mix the remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour over the baked crust.
    A glass baking dish filled with freshly layered lemon crumb bars, showing a creamy lemon filling and a crisp oat crumble topping.
    1. Step 5: Sprinkle remaining crust over top.
    A golden-brown glass pan of lemon crumb bars, fresh from the oven, with a crisp, buttery crumble topping.
    1. Step 6: Bake for 20-22 minutes until the edges brown, then let the bars cool completely before serving.
    A single lemon crumb bar lifted from a baking dish, revealing a thick layer of sweet, tangy lemon filling between oat and brown sugar crust.

    Helpful Tips

    • Allow the Bars to Cool: Refrigerating or even freezing for a brief time will allow for easier cutting and serving.
    • Fresh Ingredients: Always try to use fresh lemons for your zest and juice if possible. Fresh ingredients have a brighter, fresher flavor that makes a difference in the taste and texture of your bars. 

      For another delightful recipe that uses fresh lemons, try my Easy Lemon Chicken. This dish features juicy and tender chicken breasts baked in a lemon-herb sauce brimming with delicious lemony flavor.
    • Grate Lemon Zest Finely: If you have one, a microplane is a great tool to get freshly grated lemon zest. This will give your bars a fresher, stronger lemon flavor. 
    • Avoid Over mixing Crumble: Since we want a crumbly crust and topping, try not to over mix your oat mixture too much.
    A plated lemon crumb bar with a fork, highlighting the crumbly topping, creamy lemon center, and buttery crust.

    Recipe FAQs

    Why are my lemon bars runny?

    Lemon bars can turn out runny if they haven’t baked long enough or if the filling ratio is off. Make sure to bake until the center is set and slightly firm to the touch. Also, letting them cool completely before cutting helps them firm up.

    Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

    Fresh lemon juice is always best for flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch. However, fresh lemon zest is key to getting that bright, citrusy flavor.

    Can I make these bars ahead of time?

    Yes! Lemon crumble bars can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. In fact, chilling them makes them easier to cut and enhances the flavor.

    How would I double the recipe?

    Make a larger batch of these bars by doubling the ingredients and using a larger pan (such as a 9x13-inch pan). Just adjust your bake time as needed and wait until the top is golden and the filling is set to take out of the oven.

    How do I get clean slices when cutting these lemon crumb bars?

    For neat slices, chill the bars first and use a sharp knife, wiping it clean between cuts. A little powdered sugar dusted on top can also prevent sticking.

    A classic side view of a lemon crumb bar on a white plate, with bright lemon slices and a soft blue background.

    Storage & Freezing Instructions

    Storage Instructions

    To store the bars, you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Freezing Instructions

    These lemon bars can be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.

    A bite-sized piece of lemon crumb bar on a fork, displaying the rich, creamy filling and perfectly crisp crust.

    More Luscious Lemon Dessert Recipes You'll Love

    Looking for other lemon dessert recipes like this? Try these:

    • lemon bars on a dessert pedestal
      3-Ingredient Lemon Bars
    • up close shot of layered lemon cake garnished with lemon wedge and blueberries
      Old-Fashioned Lemon Icebox Cake
    • Lemon lush dessert on a plate with lemons in the background
      Lemon Lush Dessert
    • plate with cut pieces of lemon cake
      Easy Lemon Cake Roll

    Did you try this recipe?

    If you decide to try this Lemon Crumb Bars recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how it went in the 💬 comments below! I’d love to hear from you!

    A classic side view of a lemon crumb bar on a white plate, with bright lemon slices and a soft blue background.

    Easy Lemon Crumb Bars

    A buttery oat and brown sugar crust layered with a sweet and tangy lemon filling, topped with a golden crumble.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 35 minutes mins
    Total Time: 50 minutes mins
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 562kcal
    Author: Sara
    adjust servings: 8 servings

    Ingredients

    • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 ¼ cups quick oats
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
    • ¾ cup unsalted butter (melted)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
    • 2 tablespoons lemon zest (finely grated)
    • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
    • 2 large egg yolks

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350ºF and prepare an 8x8-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, quick oats, salt, and baking soda.
    • Add sugar and brown sugar. Mix again.
    • Add melted butter and vanilla. Work mixture together until dough forms.
    • Firmly press half of this mixture into your prepared baking dish.
    • Bake for 15 minutes.
    • While crust is baking, combine remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth.
    • Pour lemon mixture over baked crust.
    • Sprinkle remaining crust over top.
    • Bake for an additional 20-22 minutes or until edges begin to brown.
    • Allow bars to cool completely before serving.

    Notes

    • Allow the Bars to Cool: Refrigerating or even freezing for a brief time will allow for easier cutting and serving.
    • Fresh Ingredients: Always try to use fresh lemons for your zest and juice if possible. Fresh ingredients have a brighter, fresher flavor that makes a difference in the taste and texture of your bars. 
    • Grate Lemon Zest Finely: If you have one, a microplane is a great tool to get freshly grated lemon zest. This will give your bars a fresher, stronger lemon flavor. 
    • Avoid Over mixing Crumble: Since we want a crumbly crust and topping, try not to over mix your oat mixture too much.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 562kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 425mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 741IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @BitzNGiggles or tag #bitzngiggles!
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    Sara Zenner, blogger at Bitz N Giggles

    welcome!

    Hey, I’m Sara!

     Born and raised in Wisconsin, where family and fun are at the heart of it all - I inherited a deep appreciation for home cooking and family traditions. I’m all about quick and easy recipes, tidying up, and laid back “up north” living.

    Read more!

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