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Easy Lemon Graham Crumble Bars Recipe

Easy Lemon Graham Crumble Bars

Creamy lemon bars with a buttery graham-cracker crust and a golden crumble topping. This simple 8-inch pan dessert makes 16 bright, refreshing squares.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes
Servings: 16 servings

Ingredients
  

Graham Crumble
  • 2 cups Graham-cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
Lemon Filling
  • 1 14-ounce can Sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 large yolks Large egg yolks
  • 2/3 cup Fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Finely grated lemon zest

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on two sides to lift out the chilled bars.
  2. Stir the graham-cracker crumbs, melted unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt together until every crumb is evenly moistened. Press about two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the parchment-lined pan and reserve the rest for the topping.
  3. Whisk the sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, fresh lemon juice, and finely grated lemon zest in a bowl until smooth and slightly thickened. Pour the lemon mixture over the crust and spread it into an even layer.
  4. Sprinkle the reserved graham mixture over the lemon filling, covering the surface as evenly as possible. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the topping is lightly golden and the center is just set with a slight jiggle.
  5. Cool the pan completely on a rack, then refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours. Use the parchment overhang to lift the slab out, wipe a sharp knife between cuts, and slice into 16 squares.

Notes

Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh zest for the brightest flavor. Do not overbake; the filling firms as it cools, and baking until completely rigid can make it dry or rubbery. Store covered in the refrigerator and chill thoroughly for the cleanest slices.