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Delicious homemade lemon crumb bars with a buttery crumb topping

Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars

These Homemade Lemon Crumb Bars combine tangy lemon filling with a sweet crumb topping, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 16 squares
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Crust
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Filling
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream (or plain yogurt)
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick spray.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, salt, and baking soda.
  3. In another bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until mixed well.
  4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients until you form a cohesive mixture. Reserve 3/4 cup of this mixture for the topping.
  5. Press the rest of the mixture into the prepared pan evenly and bake for 10 minutes.
Making the Filling
  1. While the crust bakes, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, egg yolk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and additional vanilla until smooth.
  2. Pour the lemon filling over the baked crust, then sprinkle the reserved crumbs on top.
Baking
  1. Bake for another 17 to 20 minutes until the top turns golden brown.
  2. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares.

Notes

For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice. Ensure the butter is melted but not too hot when mixing it with the other ingredients. Let the bars cool completely before slicing to maintain a clean edge.