Crispy Oatmeal Lemon Creme Bars Recipe: A Zesty Treat

Zesty oatmeal lemon creme bars bring sunshine to your dessert plate with their irresistible tangy sweetness.

Creamy layers meld perfectly between a crumbly, golden-brown oat foundation that promises pure comfort.

Every bite delivers a bright, refreshing flavor that dances between sweet and tart sensations.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike treasure these delightful treats for their simple yet sophisticated profile.

Texture plays a crucial role in making these bars an absolute crowd-pleaser, balancing softness with a satisfying crunch.

Rich, smooth lemon filling nestles between crisp oat layers, creating a harmonious contrast that delights the palate.

The magic happens when classic ingredients enhance into something extraordinary, elevating a humble dessert to gourmet status.

Tips for That Smooth Top and Crisp Base

• Precise Pan Preparation: Line your baking pan with parchment paper for effortless bar removal and easy cleanup.
• Zest Mastery: Use fresh lemons and carefully zest only the bright yellow part to avoid bitter white pith, maximizing vibrant citrus flavor.
• Crumble Control: Ensure your oat mixture remains slightly coarse when pressing into the pan, creating a delightful textured crust and topping.
• Condensed Milk Magic: Gently fold lemon juice into sweetened condensed milk to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, creamy filling.
• Cooling Technique: Let bars cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation and maintain a perfect texture.

Keeping Lemon Bars Tasting Fresh for Days

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring they remain fresh and delicious.
• Freezing: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for extended enjoyment.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen bars in the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before serving. For a slightly warm treat, microwave each bar for 10-15 seconds on low power.

What Complements These Bars Perfectly

• Pair with Citrus Cocktails: Complement the lemon bars with a zesty gin gimlet or a refreshing limoncello spritz, enhancing the tangy citrus notes and creating a vibrant flavor experience.
• Match with Creamy Beverages: Serve alongside a cold glass of vanilla bean latte or a smooth, chilled chai tea to balance the bright lemon flavor with rich, creamy undertones.
• Combine with Light Dessert Companions: Enjoy these bars with a scoop of lavender honey ice cream or a dollop of whipped mascarpone cream to add subtle complexity and creamy texture.
• Create a Breakfast Indulgence: Pair with a light Greek yogurt parfait or a citrus-infused green smoothie to transform these bars into a delightful morning treat that energizes and satisfies.

Flavor Upgrades You’ll Want to Try

• Tropical Paradise Bars: Swap lemon juice with passion fruit puree and zest, adding shredded coconut to the crumble topping for a vibrant island-inspired dessert.
• Raspberry Zinger Bars: Replace lemon with raspberry juice and zest, incorporating white chocolate chips into the oat mixture for a tangy-sweet combination.
• Lavender Lemon Dream Bars: Infuse the condensed milk with dried lavender buds before mixing with lemon juice, creating a delicate floral undertone to the classic recipe.
• Almond Citrus Crunch Bars: Mix ground almonds into the oat base, use orange zest instead of lemon, and sprinkle sliced almonds on top for extra texture and nutty flavor.

Why Oatmeal Lemon Bars Are a Tangy Delight

• Zesty Flavor Explosion: Bursting with bright, tangy lemon notes that dance on your taste buds, these bars deliver a refreshing citrus punch that cuts through the rich, buttery oat base.
• Texture Paradise: Enjoy a delightful contrast between the crumbly, crisp oat crust and the silky-smooth, creamy lemon filling that melts in your mouth with each heavenly bite.
• Effortless Baking Delight: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe requires minimal skills and simple ingredients, creating an impressive dessert that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these bars in advance and chill them, making them an ideal make-ahead treat for potlucks, picnics, or spontaneous dessert cravings without last-minute stress.

Everything You Need for Sweet and Bright Bars

• Butter: Soft and creamy foundation for rich, tender texture.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel sweetness and moisture to the base.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and stability for the crust.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Baking Powder: Helps create light, airy texture.
• Old-Fashioned Oats: Adds hearty texture and nutty flavor.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy, sweet base for lemon filling.
• Lemon Zest: Bright, intense citrus flavor and aromatic essence.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Extract: Provides tangy, sharp citrus notes and depth of lemon flavor.

How to Bake These Creamy Citrus Squares

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab your 8×8-inch baking pan and give it a quick spray or butter massage to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Whip Up The Crust Mixture

• Butter
• Brown sugar

Beat until the mixture looks like fluffy, crumbly clouds.

Step 3: Blend Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Oats

Stir until everything looks evenly combined.

Step 4: Create The Base Layer

Fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Press about three-quarters of this magical oat blend firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan, creating a solid foundation.

Step 5: Craft The Zesty Filling

• Sweetened condensed milk
• Fresh lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• Lemon extract

Mix until smooth and bright.

Step 6: Layer The Filling

Pour the lemony mixture over the oat base. Spread it evenly across the surface like you’re painting a delicious canvas.

Step 7: Sprinkle The Topping

Crumble the remaining oat mixture across the top, creating a rustic, textured cover.

Step 8: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 9: Cool And Set

Let the bars cool completely at room temperature. Then tuck them into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 10: Slice And Serve

Cut into delightful squares. Keep chilled until ready to devour these tangy, sweet treats.

Pro Tip: These bars taste even better the next day after the flavors have mingled overnight!

Oatmeal Lemon Creme Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon creme bars elevate classic oatmeal desserts with tangy citrus and creamy richness. Crumbly oat layers and silky lemon filling create an irresistible treat perfect for afternoon tea or summer gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 (14 ounces/397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk

Dairy and Fat Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) butter, softened

Flavoring and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon lemon extract

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan with a light coating of grease to prevent sticking.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to transform butter and brown sugar into a delicate, crumbly texture.
3. Separately, combine flour, salt, and baking powder in a smaller vessel, then gently fold in the oats until evenly distributed.
4. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, creating a cohesive, slightly crumbly dough.
5. Gently press approximately three-quarters of the oat mixture into the pan’s base, forming a compact foundation for the bars.
6. Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, fresh lemon juice, vibrant lemon zest, and aromatic lemon extract in a separate bowl.
7. Carefully pour the zesty lemon mixture over the oat base, ensuring an even, smooth layer that covers the entire surface.
8. Delicately sprinkle the remaining oat mixture across the lemon filling, creating a rustic, textured topping.
9. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the surface turns a golden, inviting shade of brown.
10. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature.
11. Chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to help them set and develop a firm, sliceable consistency.
12. Once chilled, slice into individual bars and keep refrigerated until ready to serve and savor.

Notes

• Delightful dessert bars blend tangy lemon with sweet oatmeal crust for a mouthwatering treat that’s perfect for summer gatherings.
• Zesty lemon filling nestled between buttery oat layers creates a refreshing and indulgent bar that balances creamy and crisp textures.
• Chilling the bars helps set the filling and intensifies the bright citrus flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg