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Creamy Lemon Crumb Bars

Creamy Lemon Crumb Bars

The ultimate dessert that perfectly balances creamy and tangy flavors! These Creamy Lemon Crumb Bars are easy to make and are sure to satisfy your sweet cravings. Enjoy them chilled or at room temperature—either way, they’re delicious!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 43 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted, cooled to room temperature
  • ½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • juice and zest from ½ lemon

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Sheet
  • Frying Pan
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

  1. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, making sure it hangs over the edges for easy removal later. This will allow you to lift the bars out without any fuss once they’re baked. Set the lined pan aside.
  2. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). It’s important to have your oven ready, so the bars bake evenly. While it preheats, you can prepare the crust mixture.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the crust and topping ingredients: the melted butter, brown sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt. Use a fork or your fingers to combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Save ¾ cup of this mixture for the topping later.
  4. In another medium mixing bowl, mix all the filling ingredients: sour cream, granulated sugar, flour, egg, vanilla extract, and the lemon juice and zest. Use an electric mixer to blend everything until smooth and creamy. The filling should be thick but pourable.
  5. Press down the remaining crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. This creates a solid base for the filling. Don’t skip this step—make sure it’s compact.
  6. Pour the creamy filling over the crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula. You want every bite to have that luscious lemon flavor, so take your time with this step.
  7. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the filling, covering it evenly for a nice crunchy topping. This will create a delightful contrast in texture.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 28 minutes. Look for a golden brown topping and a set filling—there should be no jiggly bits in the center when you gently shake the pan. The smell will be incredible!
  9. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature. This step is crucial for cutting clean bars later. Let them rest for at least an hour.
  10. Using the overhanging foil or parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan. Cut them into squares or rectangles, and they’re ready to be served!

Notes

These bars are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in the fridge for up to a week. They also freeze well for longer storage!