Name: Zesty Lemon Crumble Oatmeal Bars
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup rolled oats; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk; 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon lemon extract; 1 teaspoon almond extract

Imagine the tangy zest of a lemon bar embraced by the comforting texture of a classic oatmeal cookie. These bars deliver a delightful fusion of flavors, where a subtle hint of almond elevates the bright citrus notes to create a truly unique and irresistible treat.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat & Prep (5 minutes): Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.

02

Step

Crust Creation (10 minutes): In a large bowl, cream together the brown sugar and softened butter until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Press half of the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.

03

Step

First Bake (15 minutes): Bake the crust in the preheated oven until lightly golden brown.

04

Step

Lemon Filling Prep (5 minutes): While the crust is baking, prepare the lemon filling. In a small bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon extract, and almond extract until smooth.

05

Step

Assemble & Top (5 minutes): Once the crust is ready, remove it from the oven and pour the lemon filling evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly over the lemon filling and gently pat it down.

06

Step

Final Bake (20 minutes): Return the pan to the oven and bake until the filling is set and the top crust is golden brown.

07

Step

Cool & Chill (2 hours 30 minutes): Remove the bars from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the filling to set fully. Cut into 16 bars and serve.