Description

These Lemon Oatmeal Crumble Bars are a perfect blend of tangy lemon filling, buttery oatmeal crust, and a crispy crumble topping. The zesty lemon flavor and delightful texture make these bars a refreshing and satisfying treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

For the Crust & Topping:

7 tablespoons (99g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

¾ cup (150g) light or dark brown sugar, packed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ 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)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
Using a handheld or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Add the vanilla extract, and beat for another 30 seconds. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and oats. Mix until crumbly and dry, forming a total of about 3–3.5 cups of mixture.
Press slightly more than half of the crumble mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake for 12 minutes, then remove from the oven.
For the lemon filling, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and thick. Pour the lemon filling over the hot, pre-baked crust and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top of the lemon filling.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 22–25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Be careful not to over-bake.
Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into squares. Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan.

Notes

For extra crunch, add chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts to the crumble mixture.
For a fruitier twist, add fresh berries like blueberries or raspberries to the lemon filling.
If you’re making these for a larger crowd, double the recipe and bake in a 9×13-inch pan, adjusting the baking time slightly.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free oats.
For added spice, include a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the crumble mixture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 38 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 210
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 95mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 30mg