Description
Delightful oatmeal lemon creme bars blend zesty citrus with creamy sweetness, creating a perfect balance of tangy and rich flavors. Crumbly oat layers and silky lemon filling will make you crave another bite of this irresistible dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (14 oz/397 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup (113 g) butter, softened
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 tsps lemon zest
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp lemon extract
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.
- Creaming: Blend butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the oat bars.
- Dry Mixture: Whisk flour, salt, and baking powder together, then fold in oats to create a uniform dry ingredient blend.
- Dough Formation: Merge dry ingredients with butter mixture, forming a cohesive, slightly crumbly dough that will serve as the bar’s foundation and topping.
- Base Layer: Press approximately three-quarters of the oat mixture firmly into the pan, creating a compact and even base for the lemon filling.
- Lemon Filling: Combine sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract in a bowl, whisking until smooth and well-integrated.
- Filling Application: Distribute the zesty lemon mixture evenly over the oat base, ensuring complete coverage and a consistent layer.
- Topping: Scatter the remaining oat mixture over the lemon filling, generating a rustic, textured surface that will bake to a golden finish.
- Baking: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top achieves a rich, golden-brown color and the filling sets.
- Cooling and Setting: Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the bars for clean, precise slicing.
- Serving: Cut into individual bars and store in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy the tangy, sweet treat.
Notes
- Prepare Ahead: Refrigerate bars for at least 30 minutes to achieve perfect slicing and a firm, clean-cut texture.
- Zesty Tip: Use fresh lemons for maximum flavor intensity, grating zest and squeezing juice directly from ripe citrus fruits.
- Texture Trick: Press oat mixture firmly into the pan to create a sturdy, compact base that holds the creamy lemon filling.
- Storage Secret: Keep bars refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days, maintaining their delightful taste and consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg