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Lemon Oatmeal Crumble Bars Recipe

Lemon Oatmeal Crumble Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 12 reviews

These Lemon Oatmeal Crumble Bars feature a buttery oat crust topped with a tangy, luscious lemon filling and a crumbly oat topping. Perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, they offer a delightful texture contrast with the crispy crumble and smooth filling, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust & Topping:

  • 7 tablespoons (99g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (150g) light or dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (85g) old-fashioned oats or quick oats (not instant)

For the Lemon Filling:

  • 1 can (14 ounces) full-fat sweetened condensed milk
  • 6 tablespoons (90ml) lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
  2. Make the crust and topping: Using a handheld or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until fully combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the vanilla extract and beat again on medium-high for 30 seconds to incorporate. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and oats, then mix on medium speed until combined into a crumbly, dry mixture totaling about 3 to 3.5 cups.
  3. Form the crust: Press slightly more than half of the crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create the crust layer. Bake for 12 minutes, then remove it from the oven.
  4. Make the lemon filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together the full-fat sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest until the mixture is smooth and thick.
  5. Assemble the bars: Pour the lemon filling evenly over the warm crust, then sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly on top of the lemon layer.
  6. Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 22 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Avoid over-baking to keep the filling creamy.
  7. Cool and cut: Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper to lift the bars from the pan and slice into squares.
  8. Storage: Store leftover bars at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week for best freshness.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor.
  • Press the crust layer firmly to prevent crumbling when cutting the bars.
  • Ensure not to over-bake the bars so the lemon filling remains creamy.
  • Store bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
  • Old-fashioned oats give better texture than quick oats but either works.

Nutrition

Keywords: Lemon bars, oatmeal crumble, dessert bars, lemon dessert, crumb bars, sweet and tart bars

Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/lemon-oatmeal-crumble-bars-recipe/