Lemon Oatmeal Crumble Bars: A Delicious & Easy Recipe

this Recipe

Ingredients:

• For the Oatmeal Crust:
  • 2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• For the Lemon Filling:
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed (from about 2-3 lemons)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2-3 lemons)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Optional Lemon Glaze (for extra zing!):
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

Preparing the Oatmeal Crust:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Make sure everything is evenly distributed. This ensures a consistent texture and flavor in your crust.
2. Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips (work quickly to keep the butter cold!), cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You should have some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. These little butter pockets are what create a flaky and tender crust.
3. Press Half into the Pan: Grease and lightly flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This prevents the bars from sticking and makes them easy to remove later. Press half of the oatmeal mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. I like to use the bottom of a measuring cup to really pack it down. This forms the base of our crumble bars, so make sure it’s nice and solid.

Making the Lemon Filling:

1. Whisk Eggs and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until light and slightly frothy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. The sugar should be well incorporated into the eggs.
2. Add Dry Ingredients: Whisk in the all-purpose flour and salt until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as it can develop the gluten in the flour and make the filling tough.
3. Incorporate Lemon Juice and Zest: Stir in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest until everything is well combined. The lemon zest is key here – it adds a ton of bright, citrusy flavor! Make sure to only zest the yellow part of the lemon, avoiding the white pith, which can be bitter.

Assembling and Baking the Bars:

1. Pour Filling over Crust: Pour the lemon filling evenly over the pressed oatmeal crust in the baking pan. Make sure the filling covers the entire crust.
2. Sprinkle Remaining Crumble: Sprinkle the remaining oatmeal mixture evenly over the lemon filling. This creates the “crumble” topping that gives these bars their name. Try to distribute it as evenly as possible for a nice, consistent texture.
3. Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crumble topping is golden brown. The center of the filling should be mostly set, with just a slight jiggle.
4. Cool Completely: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This is crucial! If you try to cut them while they’re still warm, the filling will be too soft and the bars will fall apart. I usually let them cool for at least 2-3 hours, or even overnight.

Making the Optional Lemon Glaze:

1. Whisk Together: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Add more lemon juice, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. If you want to add lemon zest, stir it in now.
2. Drizzle over Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled and cut, drizzle the lemon glaze evenly over the top. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.

Tips for Success:

• Use Cold Butter: This is essential for creating a crumbly crust. The cold butter creates pockets of steam as it bakes, resulting in a flaky texture.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the filling can lead to a tough texture. Mix until just combined.
• Fresh Lemon Juice and Zest: Using fresh lemon juice and zest makes a huge difference in the flavor of these bars. Bottled lemon juice just doesn’t compare.
• Cool Completely: I can’t stress this enough! Cooling the bars completely allows the filling to set properly, making them easier to cut and serve.
• Storage: Store the lemon oatmeal crumble bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Variations: Feel free to experiment with different flavors! You could add blueberries, raspberries, or other berries to the filling. You could also use different types of citrus, such as orange or grapefruit.

Troubleshooting:

• Crust is too dry: If your crust seems too dry, add a tablespoon or two of melted butter to the mixture and mix until combined.
• Filling is too runny: If your filling seems too runny, you may have overmixed it. Next time, be careful not to overmix. You can also try adding a tablespoon of cornstarch to the filling to help thicken it.
• Bars are sticking to the pan: Make sure you grease and flour the baking pan thoroughly before pressing in the crust. You can also line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, to make it easier to lift the bars out.
• Topping is burning: If the topping is browning too quickly, you can tent the pan with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

Serving Suggestions:

• These lemon oatmeal crumble bars are delicious on their own, but they’re also great served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
• They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
• They also make a great addition to a potluck or picnic.
• Pair them with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat.

Nutritional Information (approximate, per bar):

• Calories: 300-350
• Fat: 15-20g
• Saturated Fat: 10-12g
• Cholesterol: 75-100mg
• Sodium: 150-200mg
• Carbohydrates: 40-45g
• Sugar: 25-30g
• Protein: 4-5g

Enjoy your homemade Lemon Oatmeal Crumble Bars! I hope you love them as much as I do. They’re the perfect combination of sweet, tart, and crumbly, and they’re sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.

Conclusion: