Lemon Creme Crumb Bars

Published June 26, 2013. Updated December 28, 2018

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Imagine a thick crumb bar with two layers similar to the streusel on top of a muffin, then picture sandwiching those layers together with a lemon creme filling that is similar to a lemon bar. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Well it is, and here you have it.

To give you an idea of how delicious these really are, I made these yesterday and we finished most of them off. My husband gets home from work today carrying a gallon of milk, so I ask him, “what’s the milk for? We have milk, I just bought some.”

Lemon Creme Crumb Bars | Cooking Classy

He replies, “I’ve been dreaming about those lemon bars all day and wanted to make sure we had some milk to go with them. Please tell me there’s some left?”

I thought it was funny because we always have some kind of sweet at our house because of how much I bake, and we always have milk – I rarely run out. But these bars are over the top and completely irresistible, so once you’ve tasted one you’ll forever be dreaming about them :). I’m already thinking of making them again. Enjoy!

Lemon Creme Crumb Bars | Cooking Classy

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5 from 3 votes

Lemon Creme Crumb Bars

One of the most delicious lemon treats you'll ever eat! Buttery tender cookie crumb layers filled with a bright and luscious lemon filling.
Servings: 9
Prep30 minutes
Cook40 minutes
Cool1 hour 30 minutes
Ready in: 2 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, rolled oats, salt and baking soda. Stir in granulated sugar and brown sugar and mix until no clumps of sugar remain. 
  • Stir vanilla into melted butter and pour mixture over dry ingredients. Using a spoon, stir mixture until evenly moistened. 
  • Sprinkle half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of a greased 8 by 8-inch baking dish and gently press into an even layer. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside (leaving oven heated at 350 degrees).
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, egg yolks and lemon extract until well blended. Pour mixture over crumb crust in baking dish and spread into an even layer. 
  • Sprinkle top evenly with remaining crumb mixture. Bake in preheated oven 23 - 26 minutes until lightly golden. 
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool at room temperature, once cool cover and refrigerate 30 minutes - 1 hour (I actually loved this cold).
  • Remove and cut into squares. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts
Lemon Creme Crumb Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 489 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Cholesterol 99mg33%
Sodium 262mg11%
Potassium 257mg7%
Carbohydrates 69g23%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 47g52%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 648IU13%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 154mg15%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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95 Comments

  • Olivia Sequin

    This bars got rave reviews from everyone that tried them! They are very sweet but great if you want something that isn’t chocolatey. The crumb topping and base is to die for!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Thanks for letting me know they were enjoyed Olivia! I’m so happy to hear everyone liked them!

  • Sarah

    Hi, this recipe looks AMAZING! I was just wondering if you can put in whole eggs instead of just the yolks? I hate to throw away the whites, would it effect it much?

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I wouldn’t recommend it, instead I’d recommend that you reserve the egg whites for another use like meringues, macarons, angel food cake cupcakes, white cake or any of the other baked goods that call for egg whites.

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  • Jenn

    My favorite pie has always been lemon meringue, with a graham cracker crust. You totally captured that deliciousness in these bars! This was my first time to your blog, and I can safely say you have a new fan. :-)

    And now I must go eat another bar…

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I’m so happy to have a new fan Jenn :)! Thanks for leaving a comment, I’m glad you liked these bars!

  • Katie @ Katie Kay’s Kitchen

    Loved these! I’ve made them twice before for company and they were a huge hit. I instructed my kids in baking them today, and they did a great job! The crust/topping is so delicious, and I love that you only have 2 steps because the crust and topping are one and the same.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I’m so happy to hear they were a with for your company! And that’s great that your kids were able to make them! Thanks for your comment Katie!

  • Penny

    Re: Lemon Crème Crumb Bars
    I wonder if evaporated milk could be substituted for the sweetened condensed milk. The cookies are great, but a bit too sweet.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      It probably could be but you would likely want to add in more egg to make it thicker as sweetened condensed milk has a thicker consistency than evaporated milk.

  • Jo

    Do you think these would freeze well? and how would I wrap them…I love lemon anything. Can’t wait to try!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I think these should probably freeze just fine. I would probably just store them in a large freezer ziploc bag.