Lemon Creme Crumb Bars

Published June 26, 2013. Updated December 28, 2018

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

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

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

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.

Categorized:

Leave a Comment

Rate this recipe




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

95 Comments

  • Erica

    These sound and look amazing! Do you thik that adding either white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips to the crust/topping would work? Which would you recommend? I have made a lemon bar with white chocolate over the shortbread crust and they turned out pretty good. I would mix the chips into the shortbread the next time I make them so its more subtle instead of a layer. I’m thinking that might work here also. Any thoughts?

  • Sandi

    I tripled the recipe and made it for my brother’s wedding instead of wedding cake (along with a dozen other cookie and bar recipes). This was one of my favorites, in no small part because I could make it a few days in advance and keep it in the fridge while I was frantically baking all of the other items. I love the lemon-but-not-too-tart flavor. Also, it finally gave me something to use the Penzey’s lemon extract I’ve had in my cupboard for years.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      What an honor to have this served at your brother’s wedding! So glad you loved it!

  • Maria

    I used gluten free all purpose baking mix, extra oats, Truvia baking blend instead of the granulated sugar, 3 tbsps of lemon zest and no extract, and added 1block of cream cheese for the filling and used the whole eggs. So so good, everyone wants the recipe!

  • Nicole

    Just made this recipe and it is so delicious!
    I had a small piece before chilling too. Beautiful lemon flavor and the crumble is irresistible :D!

  • Kristin H

    These were really yummy! It’s an easy, Spring-like dessert. Perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tart. It’s a keeper!