• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Confessions of a Baking Queen logo
  • About
    • Contact
  • All Recipes
    • St. Patricks Day
    • British Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
      • Bar
      • Bread
      • Brownie
      • Caramel
      • Cake
      • Chocolate
      • Chocolates/Candy
      • Cheesecake
      • Cookies
      • Cupcakes
      • Custard and Creams
      • Creme Brûlée
      • Crumble & Crisps
      • Lemon
      • Pastry
      • Peanut Butter
      • Pie
      • Pudding
      • Sauces, Frostings & Toppings
      • Scone
      • Tart
      • Tiramisu
    • Appetizers
    • Dinner
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken Recipes
      • Pasta
      • Seafood
      • Side Dish
    • Drinks
    • Egg Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Spring Recipes
    • Fall Favorite Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
  • Dessert
    • Cookies
    • Cake
    • Bar
    • Cheesecake
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • All Desserts
  • All Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • All Desserts
    • All Recipes
    • Shop
    • Resources
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Dessert » Bar

    Lemon Crumb Bars

    Published: Jul 10, 2020 · by Elizabeth Waterson · This post may contain affiliate links, which may pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting Confessions of a Baking Queen!

    273 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    lemon crumb bars facing the camera on a rack and on a plate

    Brown Sugar and Oat Crumble Crust and Topping filled with a sweet, tart creamy lemon filling. These Lemon Crumb bars are a great alternative to traditional lemon bars. Great for an afternoon treat, dessert or even for your next bake sale!

    creamy lemon bars on a white plate next to lemon slices, a wood knife, cup of oats, and a wire rack with more bars

    Yesterday I had a "friend" day I saw three different friends at different times. I love spending time with my friends but as the years go on and we all get older I find its more about the quality of your friends than the quantity. Needless to say, I spent quality time with all 3 friends!

    I first spent the afternoon at Yvette's parent's house. We caught up on life and reminisced about our old high school days and how they were so long ago, we graduated almost 6 years ago!! Then we made a homemade lemon scrub and she sent me home with a large bagful of lemons off their tree.

     So here we are with some lemon's put to good use!

    These bars were spectacular. First, of I love everything in bar form. It's just so easy but so deadly at the same time. The crunchy, oaty, buttery sugary, the crust is delightful against the creamy dream lemony condensed milk. Hello, condensed milk makes EVERYTHING better. This recipe is simple, requires few ingredients and will ignite a fire-show of taste buds in your mouth!

    Lets get into making the Lemon Crumb Bars!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How do you make lemon crumb bars
    • More lemon recipes
    • Recipe Card
    • Recipe Ratings & Comments
    lemon crumble bars stacked on top of each other on a stack of white plates on a pink background with a cup of coffee in the background

    Ingredients

    • Butter. I use unsalted butter, but if you only have salted butter don't add as much salt to the recipe and make sure the butter is at room temperature and you will be golden. To easily get butter to room temperature I will cut the butter into chunks and let it sit for 30 minutes or so.
    • Sugar. Light brown sugar is going to be the best for this recipe.
    • Salt. NEVER skip the salt, it gives a little contrast to all the sugary sweetness.
    • Oats. Old fashion Rolled oats are the trick to crumb bars.
    • Baking Soda. We need these babies to RISE.
    • Sweetened Condensed Milk. This will give the lemon filling a rich creamy taste.
    • Lemon Juice. I love using really ripe lemons so the lemon bars are very powerful in flavor.
    • Lemon Zest. This just packs the crumb bars with all the lemon-flavoring goodness!

    Another delicious bar you might enjoy is these sopapilla cheesecake bars.

    How do you make lemon crumb bars

    Start by preheating your oven to 350F/180C and spraying an 8X8 pan with nonstick spray or buttah the pan up! If you want you can line the pan with foil first this will help you pull the bars out of the pan easily when they are baked.

    Then in a medium bowl combine the condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

    sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a glass bowl with a grey spatula on a pink surface with and a blue and white linen

    Mix until the runny liquid is completely combined into the thick milk. Set aside.

    lemon cream filling in a glass bowl with a grey spatula on a pink surface with and a blue and white linen

    In a medium bowl with a fork mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and butter until the mixture is crumbly.

    oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and flour in a glass bowl mixed together on a pink surface

    Press half of the flour mixture into the bottom of the pan, make sure to press it down tightly so its a good thick crust. Cook for 10 minutes, just until lightly golden brown.

    crumb mixture added to a foil lined baking pan and pressed down tightly on top of a pink background

    After 10 minutes take the crust out of the oven and pour the condensed milk mixture on top of the crust. Sprinkle the remaining flour mixture on top and bake for 20-25 minutes. Until golden brown around the edges.

    crumb crust par baked and topped with a lemon filling in a foil lined square baking pan on a pink surface

    Let this bad baby cool or don't. I mean it's best to let it cool but I really lack self-control so I am usually taste testing within 5 minutes of leaving the oven. Most of the time I end up burning my tongue. I don't suggest going in after 5 minutes. I suggest waiting.

    lemon crumb bars cut into squares on a piece of foil on a pink surface with a blue linen, lemons, wire rack, knife, and cup full of oats next to the bars

    And boy are these lemon crumb bars worth the wait. The middle is only condensed milk and lemon juice & zest but it tastes like so much more. Seriously this is one of the best lemon bar recipes I have ever had and I plan on making this numerous times in the future!

    close up of lemon crumb bars on a wire rack on a light pink surface

    You will love this easy recipe because the filling is so creamy and the crust is so crunchy. Don't miss my brown butter gooey cake bars.

    lemon crumb bars on a wire rack on a light pink surface with lemon slices, a knife, and a blue linen

    More lemon recipes

    One of my favorite ways to have lemon is in a lemon cheesecake recipe.

    Lemon pound cake is a delicious treat with a cuppa tea.

    If you're looking for a more traditional type lemon bar check out this how-to make lemon bars post.

    ★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

    Make sure to join our Newsletter and follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

    Print

    Recipe Card

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    stack of creamy lemon crumb bars on a wire rack on a pink surface

    Lemon Crumb Bars

    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Brown Sugar and Oat Crumble Crust and Topping filled with a sweet, tart creamy lemon filling. These Lemon Crumb bars are a great alternative to traditional lemon bars. Great for an afternoon treat, dessert or even for your next bake sale!

    • Total Time: 40 mins
    • Yield: 12-16 Bars 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale

    Filling

    • 14oz Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • 2oz (¼ Cup) Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
    • 1 Heaping Tablespoon Lemon Zest

    Crust

    • 156 grams (1 ¼ Cups) All-Purpose/ Plain Flour
    • 100 grams (1 Cup) Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
    • 100 grams (½ Cup) Light Brown Sugar
    • ¼ Teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ Teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 4oz (½ Cup) Unsalted Butter, softened to room temperature and cubed

    Instructions

    Crust

    1. Preheat oven to 350F/180C and line an 8X8 pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
    2. In a large bowl combine flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, salt, and butter. Mix with a fork until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
    3. Press half of the crumble mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes, set the rest of the crust aside and prepare the filling as the crust bakes.

    Filling

    1. In a medium-size bowl combine sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and lemon zest. Mix until fully combined. Set aside.
    2. Take the crust out of the oven and creamy lemon mixture on top of the crust use a spatula to spread into an even layer. Sprinkle remaining crumble mixture on top of the lemon cream and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and around the edges. Let cool and slice into bars. Store leftovers in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

    Equipment

    fat daddios 8 inch square cake pan

    8 Inch Square Baking Pan

    Buy Now →
    oxo food scale

    OXO Kitchen Scale

    Buy Now →
    kitchen aid cordless hand mixer

    Cordless Hand Mixer

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    Recipe adapted from: Group Recipes

    • Author: Elizabeth Waterson I Confessions of a Baking Queen
    • Prep Time: 10 mins
    • Cook Time: 30 mins
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Baking
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: lemon crumble bars, lemon oat bars, creamy lemon bars

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @confessionsofabakingqueen on Instagram and hashtag it #cbqbakes

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    This post was originally posted on February 4, 2013, as of June 30, 2020 the photos and text have been updated.

    lemon crumb bar on a white plate on a wood table with a union jack linen and lemon

    More Bar

    • Individual slices of lemon cheesecake bars on a marble counter with fresh lemons. One slice has a bight taken out of it.
      Lemon Cheesecake Bars
    • stack of pecan pie bars on a light pink surface with pecans scattered around
      Pecan Pie Bars
    • close up of oatmeal chocolate chunk bars sliced into bars
      Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
    • peach raspberry crumb bars on a light surface
      Peach & Raspberry Crumble Bars

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Leave a star rating! Have a question? Let me know here! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

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

    1. Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says

      February 06, 2013 at 11:47 am

      I love when the final product is more than the sum of its parts! And I miss my citrus trees we had in our yard in FL...

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        February 06, 2013 at 1:45 pm

        Citrus trees come in handy. Especially Lemon, can be used for so much baking, cleaning, drinking, marinating! I LOVE it!

        Reply
    2. Kim of Mo'Betta says

      February 28, 2013 at 10:45 am

      I'm pretty darn jealous of your lemon tree! AND sweetened condensed milk with lemon juice is one of my all time favorite things!

      Reply
    3. [email protected] says

      March 19, 2013 at 4:15 am

      Dropping over from Kristi's Iron Chef Lemons. Love Lemon, Elizabeth, and have pinned this recipe with hopes to be trying it in my future. Thank you.

      Reply
    4. Diandra says

      June 15, 2015 at 10:52 pm

      It looks so tasty. I really want to try it!

      Reply
    5. Moira says

      July 11, 2020 at 5:53 pm

      Oh my gosh I made these this weekend and.... they’re my new lemon bar replacement! SOOOO GOOD!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        July 12, 2020 at 8:11 am

        Thank you so much for the review Moira, so pleased you enjoyed them!! Take care. XX Liz

        Reply
    6. Diane Waller says

      July 25, 2020 at 10:09 pm

      Wow!! this food looks look like very delicious.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        July 26, 2020 at 8:49 pm

        Thank you so much Diane. Take care XX Liz

        Reply
    7. Maree says

      March 29, 2021 at 1:54 pm

      Can you use lemon curd by itself in center? Maybe lemon pudding? Or make the crust and add lemon pudding on top with no extra cooking in oven?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        March 30, 2021 at 11:20 am

        You could definitely try that Maree, make the curst fully then add a chilled pudding on top, the pudding would need to be quite thick so it's sliceable! I have never done it so I am not 100% sure it would work but I would attempt it! Please let me know if you try and what your results are! Thanks! XX Liz

        Reply
    8. Pam says

      March 13, 2023 at 9:18 am

      If I double the recipe will it fit a 9x13 pan, do I need to increase baking time? Can I substitute instant oats for rolled oats without compromising the recipe?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        March 13, 2023 at 10:57 am

        Hi Pam, yes you can do it in a 9X13 pan and the oats will slightly alter the texture but it should be fine. I would try increasing both baking times by about 5 minutes and go from there with the visual cues of golden brown. Please let me know if you try the recipe how you like it! Take care. XX Liz

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    lemon crumb bars facing the camera on a rack and on a plate
    Waterson, Elizabeth Cropped Size Photo CAke copy 2

    Hiya! I am Elizabeth Waterson, welcome to my treat-filled site. After spending 15 years in the restaurant industry and growing up baking, I wanted to share my love of baking with you all. My step-by-step tutorials will help you learn how to bake at home. Confessions of a Baking Queen (CBQ) has been featured in CBS LA, HuffPost Taste, BuzzFeed, Taste of Home, and more! Here you will find loads of sweet recipes with a few savory ones for good measure. Feel free to message me with any questions! Happy Baking! 

    More about me →

    Popular

    • slice of lemon blueberry cream cake on a white plate on a light surface
      Lemon Blueberry Cake
    • easter cake decorated with jelly beans on a white plate on a light surface with a checkered linen
      Easter Cake
    • key lime curd in a small white bowl on a light surface with cut up key limes
      Key Lime Curd
    • Cheesecake stuffed strawberries arranged on a plate.
      Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
    • lemon creme brulee wtih berries and a lemon twirl on a white surface with a blue linen
      Lemon Creme Brûlée
    • Carrot Pineapple Banana Loaf Cake
    • close up of roasted carrots on white and brown speckled plate on a grey surface with a navy blue linen
      Roasted Carrots
    • close up of lemon cheesecake with raspberry coulis dripping down on a black plate on a marble surface
      Lemon Cheesecake
    • slices of lemon loaf cake on a white speckled plate on top of a blue stripped linen on a light pink surface
      Easy Lemon Loaf Cake
    • up close of cauliflower cheese on a plate on a larger plate on a light grey surface
      Cauliflower Cheese
    • close up of lemon crumb bars on a wire rack on a light pink surface
      Lemon Crumb Bars
    • lemon crinkle cookie against a stack of cookies
      Lemon Crinkle Cookies

    Featured

    featured in confessions of a baking queen

    Footer

    lemon crumb bars facing the camera on a rack and on a plate

    Join the CBQ Community

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Join our Community on Social Media
    • Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest

    Check Out Google Web Stories

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Elizabeth
    • Contact

    Resources

    • The Best Baking Tools
    • Recipes with Video
    • Cheesecake Recipes
    • Brownie Recipes
    • Cake Recipes
    • Shop My Favorite Products & Tools

    ↑ back to top

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Confessions of a Baking Queen.

    Copyright © 2023 Confessions of a Baking Queen

    • 4
    273 shares