Sunshine Lemon Crumble Bars

Easy Lemon Bars Sunshine Crumble Slice Recipe

By Chef BakerOctober 1, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction: Sunshine Lemon Crumble Bars

Fancy a bit of sunshine on a cloudy day? Or maybe looking for easy dessert bars for that upcoming picnic? These Sunshine Lemon Crumble Bars are your answer.

Honestly, this recipe is pure joy!

Why You'll Love These Lemon Dessert Bars

These bright bars are like a little holiday in every bite. It's like a lemon drizzle cake , but in bar form!

This is one of my go-to foolproof dessert recipes when I need something quick and easy. It's got that lovely shortbread lemon bars vibe going on.

It's perfect with afternoon tea or as a simple quick dessert squares treat.

A Slice of Sunshine: What's This Recipe About?

Inspired by classic shortbread , these bars feature a crumbly base and topping. They're filled with a luscious, tangy lemon curd.

It's a simple recipe, not like that Great British Bake Off drama, and takes about 1 hour 25 minutes total, including chilling time.

You’ll end up with 16 perfect bars.

Benefit and Occasion for Serving

Besides tasting amazing, lemons are packed with vitamin C. So, you know, healthy ish? These bars are the perfect treat for summer gatherings, potlucks, or just when you need a little pick-me-up.

It's really a treat for the whole family.

It's one of those easy baking recipes for beginners that even your little cousins can enjoy! What makes this recipe truly special is how the tangy lemon filling perfectly complements the buttery crumble.

Its simply heaven.

Next up? The easy lemon bars ingredients list! Grab your apron, and let's do this!

Let's Talk Ingredients & Equipment

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need for these sunshine lemon crumble slice . I'm gonna break it down for you, so it's super easy.

No stress, I promise. These are some of the easiest simple dessert bars recipe I ever made. I messed up more than once, so you don't have to.

Main Ingredients

All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups (250g) . Plain ol' flour works perfectly!
Granulated Sugar: ½ cup (100g) . For the base and topping.
Cold Unsalted Butter: ¾ cup (170g) , or 1 ½ sticks . It must be cold for that crumbly texture. Seriously!
Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon (5g) . Gives it a little lift.
Salt: ¼ teaspoon (1g) . Just a pinch!
Eggs: 2 large .
Granulated Sugar: 1 cup (200g) . For the yummy lemon filling.
Fresh Lemon Juice: ½ cup (120ml) . About 3-4 lemons. Fresh is always best!
Lemon Zest: 2 tablespoons (10g) . From about 2 lemons. Adds a zesty kick!
All-Purpose Flour: 2 tablespoons (16g) . Thickens the filling a bit.
Powdered Sugar: For dusting. Totally optional.

For the best lemon dessert bars , use the freshest lemons you can find. They should be firm, heavy for their size, and have a bright yellow color.

Honestly, good lemons make all the difference. I try to get organic ones if possible.

Seasoning Notes

Lemon zest is the real MVP here. Don't skip it! It's what gives these bars that intense lemon flavour. A little vanilla extract (½ teaspoon) in the filling would be good too.

It enhances all the flavors.

If you want a slightly different flavor profile for your easy dessert bars , try adding a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg to the crumble.

For a quick substitution, bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch, but it won't be as vibrant.

Equipment Needed

9x13 inch baking pan . Glass or metal works.
Parchment paper . Trust me, use it! Makes removing the bars a breeze.
Mixing bowls.
Measuring cups and spoons.
Pastry blender or food processor. Optional, but it speeds things up. You can totally use your fingers though.
Lemon Zester and Juicer.

Don't have a pastry blender? Use two knives or a fork to cut the butter into the flour mixture. No zester? A fine grater will work just as well.

I started making them as foolproof dessert recipes . These simple changes do not affect the final product

These quick dessert squares are so versatile. I even tried a no bake dessert bars version once, using a pre-made graham cracker crust.

It was okay, but honestly, the homemade crumble is way better. The easy lemon bars recipe isn't really the same.

Let's Bake: Sunshine Lemon Crumble Bars The Easy Way!

Who doesn’t love a slice of easy lemon bars ? Honestly, these sunshine lemon crumble bars are one of my go-to bakes.

It's like a ray of sunshine on a plate! I remember once trying to make them for a picnic and almost setting the kitchen on fire.

Thankfully, these ones are so simple, even I can't mess them up! They're so much easier than you think and perfect for any occasion where you need a quick dessert squares.

Prep Like a Pro: Get Ready to Bake!

First, the essential mise en place . It’s just a fancy way of saying "get everything ready". Measure out your flour (2 cups or 250g), sugar (½ cup or 100g for the crumble, 1 cup or 200g for the filling), and cube that butter (¾ cup or 170g).

Juice those lemons (½ cup or 120ml) and zest 'em (2 tablespoons or 10g). You'll also need baking powder, salt, eggs, and flour for the filling.

Line your 9x13 inch pan with parchment. This prevents sticking.

A time saving tip? Get that butter chilling in the freezer 15 minutes before you start. It makes a real difference when you’re making the crumble.

As for safety? Don't lick the raw batter! (I know, it's tempting).

Bake Like a Boss: step-by-step to Lemon Bliss

Make the crumble. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly.
Press 2/3 of the crumble into your parchment lined pan.
Whisk eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and flour in a separate bowl.
Pour that lemony goodness over the base.
Sprinkle the remaining crumble on top.
Bake at 350° F ( 175° C) for 35- 40 minutes . The top should be golden.
Cool completely.
Cut into 16 bars. Dust with sugar!

Visual cue for doneness? The topping should be a beautiful golden brown. You might have a slight jiggle in the center when you take it out.

Pro Baker Secrets: Level Up Your Lemon Bars

My top tip? Use cold butter. This is the magic for great lemon crumble slice. Cold butter makes all the difference for great shortbread lemon bars .

Don't overbake! It gets dry. For a slightly different twist use lime for a lime twist.

One common mistake? Overmixing the crumble. Just pulse it in a food processor until it looks like coarse crumbs. If you want to make-ahead? Bake them a day before and store in an airtight container.

Easy Dessert Bars are for everyone, even easy baking recipes for beginners ! And because you deserve it all, these simple dessert bars recipe and lemon dessert bars are sure to please.

You can even ditch the oven and find some great no bake dessert bars or some fresh dessert bar ideas easy for your friends.

Recipe Notes for Perfect Sunshine Lemon Crumble Bars

Alright, let's dive into the nitty gritty of these easy dessert bars . Consider this our little cheat sheet for foolproof dessert recipes ! Honestly, these are so easy even I can't mess them up, and you know I've had my baking disasters.

Serving Up Sunshine: Presentation is Key

Plating these lemon dessert bars is a breeze. A simple dusting of powdered sugar does wonders. Want to get fancy? Try a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

They look amazing on a cake stand. These also look amazing along side some homemade easy lemon bars .

For drinks, iced tea or lemonade are perfect. They cut through the richness nicely. Feeling fancy? A glass of Prosecco adds a celebratory touch.

Storing Your Goodies: Keep 'Em Fresh

Got leftovers? Lucky you! These simple dessert bars recipe are great the next day.

Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Yes, you can freeze them! Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They'll last up to 2 months.
Reheating: No need to reheat! Just let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. If you want them warm, a quick zap in the microwave works.

Remixing the Classics: Variations Galore

Want to shake things up? Here are a few ideas.

Berry Bliss: Swap out half the lemon juice for raspberry puree. Scatter fresh raspberries for extra flavour before adding the crumble. Berry crumble bars? yes please.
Lime Time: Replace lemon with lime for a tropical twist. You get a quick dessert squares with a total different profile.

This is a great method for no bake dessert bars , use crushed biscuit base mixed with butter and chill before adding your filling and topping.

For seasonal swaps, try using different citrus fruits in winter. Clementines or blood oranges would be amazing.

Nutrition Nuggets: A Little Bit of Goodness

Okay, let's be real. These aren't health food. But they're a treat! Each bar has roughly 220 calories. They also include 3g of protein, and have about 18g of sugar.

And the lemon? That gives you a vitamin C boost!

Remember, these are estimates, nutrition varies. Use these values as a starting point!

I swear, these lemon crumble slice are totally addictive. They always remind me of my nan's baking. Hopefully these will bring a little sunshine to your day, especially with a perfect shortbread lemon bars experience.

So, go bake some joy and see what dessert bar ideas easy you can cook up!.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these easy dessert bars ahead of time? You know, like Mary Berry would plan?

Absolutely! These Sunshine Lemon Crumble Bars are fantastic make-ahead treats. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. The flavors actually meld together beautifully over time, so they're often even better the next day!

Help! My lemon filling is runny. What did I do wrong and how can I fix it?

A runny lemon filling usually indicates either underbaking or not cooling the bars completely. Make sure the filling is set around the edges (the center can still jiggle a bit) before removing them from the oven. Most importantly, resist the urge to cut into them until they've cooled completely!

If it's still runny, chilling the bars in the fridge can help firm it up, even if it doesn't completely solve the problem.

I'm feeling adventurous! Can I adapt these easy dessert bars with different fruits or flavours?

Definitely! Think of this recipe as a blank canvas. Berry crumble bars are a classic twist try raspberries or blueberries. You can also swap the lemon for lime or even add a handful of chopped nuts to the crumble topping for extra crunch. Get creative!

How do I prevent the bottom crust from getting soggy in these easy dessert bars?

Soggy bottoms? No, thank you! To prevent a soggy crust, make sure to press the crumble base firmly and evenly into the pan. Chilling the pressed base for 30 minutes before adding the filling can also help. Finally, avoid overfilling the bars, as too much moisture in the filling can seep into the crust.

Are these lemon crumble bars healthy? What's the nutritional information?

Let's be honest, these are a treat! While delicious, they do contain sugar and butter. Each bar contains approximately 220 calories, 10g of fat, and 18g of sugar, but this is just an estimate!

If you're watching your sugar intake, you could try reducing the amount of sugar slightly or using a sugar substitute, but this will affect the flavour and texture. Everything in moderation, right?

Can I make these easy dessert bars gluten-free or vegan?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe! To make them gluten-free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the crumble. For a vegan version, substitute the butter with a good quality vegan butter or coconut oil (though this will change the flavour profile) and use an egg replacement for the filling.

There are lots of options available in most supermarkets.