Description
Buttery, crumbly bars with a sweet and tangy lemon filling—perfect for a refreshing dessert or an afternoon treat. The balance of zesty lemon and rich buttery crumbs will leave you craving more.
Ingredients
For the crust and crumb topping:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg
For the lemon filling:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in the egg until evenly combined.
- Press half of the crumb mixture into the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
- While the crust cools, prepare the lemon filling. In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and flour. Add the eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and whisk until smooth.
- Pour the lemon filling over the partially baked crust, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the filling is set.
- Cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars. For best results, chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before slicing.
Notes
- The crumb topping will firm up once cooled, giving the bars a lovely texture.
- For an extra burst of flavor, add more lemon zest to the filling or drizzle with a glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice.
- These bars store well in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American