Zesty Lemon Crumb Bars: A Sunshine-Filled Delight
Lemon crumb bars are the perfect treat for a sunny afternoon, a casual gathering, or simply when you crave a burst of citrusy goodness. These bars combine a buttery, shortbread-like base, a tangy lemon filling, and a sweet, crumbly topping that will make your taste buds sing. This recipe provides detailed instructions and tips to create lemon crumb bars that are both delicious and visually appealing. Get ready to experience a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe
* **Bright and Zesty Flavor:** The fresh lemon juice and zest create a vibrant, tangy flavor that’s perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the sugar.
* **Delicious Texture:** The buttery base, smooth lemon filling, and crumbly topping provide a delightful textural contrast.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and requires no special equipment. Even beginner bakers can achieve great results.
* **Perfect for Any Occasion:** Lemon crumb bars are ideal for parties, picnics, potlucks, or a simple afternoon snack.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can prepare the different components of the bars in advance and assemble them later, saving time when you’re ready to bake.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start baking, gather these ingredients:
**For the Crust:**
* 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
**For the Lemon Filling:**
* 4 large eggs
* 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 cup (120ml) fresh lemon juice (from about 3-4 lemons)
* 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 3-4 lemons)
Equipment You’ll Need
* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Parchment paper
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Electric mixer (optional, but recommended)
* Citrus juicer
* Zester
* Whisk
* Rubber spatula
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these instructions carefully to achieve perfect lemon crumb bars:
**Step 1: Prepare the Crust**
1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
2. **Add Butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You can also use a food processor for this step, pulsing until the mixture is crumbly.
3. **Press into Pan:** Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan to form a compact crust.
4. **Bake the Crust:** Bake the crust in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the lemon filling.
**Step 2: Make the Lemon Filling**
1. **Whisk Eggs and Sugar:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. **Add Dry Ingredients:** Add the flour and baking powder to the egg mixture and whisk until well combined.
3. **Incorporate Lemon Juice and Zest:** Gradually whisk in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest until the filling is smooth and consistent.
**Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Lemon Crumb Bars**
1. **Pour Filling Over Crust:** Pour the lemon filling evenly over the pre-baked crust.
2. **Prepare Crumb Topping:** In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour, ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar, and ½ cup (1 stick or 113g) cold butter, cubed. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it forms coarse crumbs.
3. **Sprinkle Crumb Topping:** Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the lemon filling.
4. **Bake the Bars:** Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crumb topping is golden brown. The center of the filling should jiggle slightly, but not be liquidy.
5. **Cool Completely:** Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Cooling completely is essential for the filling to set properly.
**Step 4: Cutting and Serving**
1. **Lift from Pan:** Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the lemon crumb bars out of the pan.
2. **Cut into Squares:** Cut the bars into squares using a sharp knife. For clean cuts, wipe the knife clean between each cut.
3. **Dust with Powdered Sugar (Optional):** Dust the bars with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Tips for Perfect Lemon Crumb Bars
* **Use Fresh Lemon Juice and Zest:** Freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest provide the best flavor. Avoid using bottled lemon juice, which can taste artificial.
* **Cold Butter is Key:** Using cold butter for the crust and crumb topping ensures a flaky and tender texture. You can even freeze the butter for 10-15 minutes before using it.
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking the bars can result in a dry or tough filling. Bake until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
* **Cool Completely:** Cooling the bars completely is crucial for the filling to set properly and prevent them from being too gooey.
* **Parchment Paper is Your Friend:** Lining the baking pan with parchment paper makes it easy to lift the bars out of the pan and prevents them from sticking.
* **For Extra Tang:** Add a tablespoon or two of lemon extract to the filling for an extra burst of lemon flavor.
* **Nutty Crumb Topping:** Add chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the crumb topping for added texture and flavor.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for a gluten-free version of these bars.
Variations to Try
* **Lime Crumb Bars:** Substitute lime juice and zest for lemon juice and zest for a lime-flavored twist.
* **Orange Crumb Bars:** Use orange juice and zest instead of lemon for a delightful orange flavor.
* **Raspberry Lemon Crumb Bars:** Swirl raspberry jam into the lemon filling for a burst of fruity flavor.
* **Blueberry Lemon Crumb Bars:** Add fresh blueberries to the lemon filling before baking for a delightful combination of flavors.
* **Coconut Crumb Bars:** Add shredded coconut to the crumb topping for a tropical twist.
Serving Suggestions
Lemon crumb bars are delicious on their own, but here are some serving suggestions to elevate your experience:
* **With a Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream:** Serve warm lemon crumb bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
* **With Fresh Berries:** Garnish the bars with fresh berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries, for a pop of color and flavor.
* **With Whipped Cream:** Top the bars with a dollop of whipped cream for a light and airy treat.
* **With a Cup of Tea or Coffee:** Enjoy lemon crumb bars with a cup of tea or coffee for a perfect afternoon snack.
* **As Part of a Dessert Platter:** Include lemon crumb bars on a dessert platter alongside other treats like cookies, brownies, and mini cheesecakes.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Lemon crumb bars are perfect for making ahead of time. Here’s how to do it:
* **Crust:** You can prepare the crust up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can bake the crust and store it at room temperature for up to 2 days.
* **Lemon Filling:** The lemon filling can be prepared up to 1 day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Make sure to whisk it well before using.
* **Crumb Topping:** The crumb topping can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month.
* **Assembled Bars:** Assemble the bars (crust, filling, and topping) and store them in the refrigerator for up to 1 day before baking. Alternatively, you can freeze the unbaked bars for up to 1 month. Thaw completely before baking.
Storage Instructions
* **Room Temperature:** Store baked lemon crumb bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Refrigerator:** Store baked lemon crumb bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
* **Freezer:** Freeze baked lemon crumb bars in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before serving.
Lemon Crumb Bars Recipe
This is a condensed recipe format with quantities and steps for quick reference
**Yields:** 16-24 bars
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 45-50 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* **Crust:**
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* ½ cup granulated sugar
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* 1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter, cubed
* **Lemon Filling:**
* 4 large eggs
* 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
* ¼ cup all-purpose flour
* ¼ teaspoon baking powder
* ½ cup fresh lemon juice
* 2 tablespoons lemon zest
* **Crumb Topping:**
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* ½ cup granulated sugar
* ½ cup (1 stick) cold butter, cubed
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare Crust:** Combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press into a 9×13 inch pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18-20 minutes.
2. **Make Filling:** Whisk eggs and sugar. Add flour and baking powder. Stir in lemon juice and zest.
3. **Make Crumb Topping**: Combine flour and sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly.
4. **Assemble & Bake:** Pour filling over crust. Sprinkle with crumb topping. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes.
5. **Cool & Serve:** Cool completely. Lift from pan using parchment paper. Cut into squares. Dust with powdered sugar (optional).
Nutrition Information (Approximate)
* Calories: 250-300 per bar (depending on size)
* Fat: 12-15g
* Saturated Fat: 8-10g
* Cholesterol: 60-70mg
* Sodium: 50-70mg
* Carbohydrates: 30-35g
* Sugar: 20-25g
* Protein: 3-4g
Conclusion
These lemon crumb bars are a delightful treat that will brighten up any day. With their tangy lemon filling, buttery crust, and crumbly topping, they’re a perfect combination of flavors and textures. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply want to enjoy a homemade dessert, this recipe is sure to impress. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of sunshine-filled lemon crumb bars! Enjoy!