Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars Recipe

If you’re craving a treat that tastes like pure sunshine, you’re going to fall head over heels for these Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars. Imagine a buttery, golden crust, a river of juicy strawberries with a twinkle of lemon zest, and an irresistible sweet lemon glaze trickling down every crumbly square. This recipe perfectly balances tart and sweet, making every bite a celebration of summer flavors. Whether you’re sharing with friends at a picnic or sneaking a square as an afternoon pick-me-up, Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars deliver everything you love about fruity desserts—with a gorgeous mosaic of color to brighten up your table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I adore about Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars is how each simple ingredient delivers maximum impact. From the ultra-cold butter (for that signature crumb) to fresh strawberries and a zesty lemon finish, every single item brings something essential in taste, texture, or color. Here’s what you’ll want to gather before diving in:

• All-purpose flour: The base of both the crust and the crumbly topping, giving the bars structure and that perfect bite.
• Baking powder: Lifts the crust just a bit, avoiding any heaviness and keeping things tender.
• Salt: Brings out all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Unsalted butter, very cold and cubed: The magic for those melt-in-your-mouth crumbles—cold butter really is the secret here.
• 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk: These bind the crumble together while adding richness and a little extra moisture.
• Packed light or dark brown sugar: Gives the crust a subtle caramel warmth and a bit of chewiness.
• Pure vanilla extract: Adds a cozy aroma that dances through every layer of the bars.
• Chopped strawberries: The star of the show—use the ripest, most jewel-toned berries for maximum flavor (frozen works too in a pinch!).
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps create that lovely bubbly jammy layer.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the filling just right so the bars hold together when sliced.
• Lemon zest: Packs a citrus punch that brightens every square and makes the flavors pop.
• Confectioners’ sugar (for glaze): Turns into a glossy, sweet drizzle once whisked with lemon juice.
• Fresh lemon juice (for glaze): Gives the finishing touch—zippy, tangy, and just the right amount of tartness.

How to Make Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to ensure everything bakes evenly. Line the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang. This little trick not only prevents sticking, but also turns your bars into a lift-and-slice delight once they’re cool. Set the pan aside and get excited about how easy these bars will be to serve later!

Step 2: Make the Crumble Mixture for the Crust and Topping

In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. Next, add your cubes of super-cold butter. With a pastry cutter, two forks, or a quick blitz in a food processor, work the butter in until everything looks like pea-sized crumbles. This step takes at least five minutes but is totally worth it for that addictive shortbread-like texture. Pea-sized, floury crumbles are what you’re after!

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

Grab a small bowl and whisk together the egg, egg yolk, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Pour this golden, sugary mixture over your butter-flour crumbles and gently mix everything together. Don’t hesitate to use your hands—this stage is delightfully tactile—and stop when the mix resembles damp, crumbly sand. This is your secret weapon for a sturdy crust and crumbly topping!

Step 4: Build the Crust

You’ll have about 6 cups of this magical crumble mix. Set aside 2 cups for the topping, then scoop the rest into your prepared pan. Press it down firmly with your hands or a spatula to create a flat, even crust. Don’t worry if it’s a bit crumbly—that just adds character! Set the pan aside while you whip up the fresh strawberry filling.

Step 5: Prepare the Strawberry Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine your chopped strawberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon zest. Give everything a good toss to ensure the strawberries are coated evenly. The sugar draws out the juices, the cornstarch thickens things up in the oven, and the lemon zest wakes up the whole mix with its sunny brightness. Spoon this colorful mixture evenly over the crust in the pan.

Step 6: Add the Crumble Topping

Take the reserved crumble mixture and scatter it generously over the strawberry filling. Gently press down—just enough so your topping hugs the juicy berries and stays put. This step gives the Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars their iconic, bakery-worthy look, with pops of red peeking out from underneath a golden, crispy blanket.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. You’re looking for a lightly browned top and bubbling fruit around the edges. The aroma will fill your kitchen with pure strawberry-lemon bliss! Once baked, transfer the pan to a wire rack and let it cool completely (speed things up by giving the pan a quick stint in the refrigerator).

Step 8: Drizzle Lemon Glaze and Slice

While the bars cool, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice for your bright, tangy glaze. Once the bars are cool (trust me—it’s worth the wait for clean slices), lift them out using the parchment paper. Drizzle the glaze over the top, then cut into perfect squares and get ready to enjoy every last crumb.

How to Serve Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars

Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars Garnishes

These bars are a feast for the senses on their own, but a few simple garnishes make them extra special. Try a light dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect, a scattering of fresh lemon zest for an extra zing, or a handful of sliced strawberries for a stunning fresh finish. Even a single mint leaf perched on each square gives a pop of color and a touch of elegance—so easy, but so impressive!

Side Dishes to Complement

If you’re serving Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars for a brunch or special gathering, you can’t go wrong with accompaniments like a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a cup of fresh fruit salad. The creamy coolness makes these crumb bars even more refreshing. For drinks, serve alongside lemonade, iced tea, or a glass of bubbly sparkling water for an extra treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Take your dessert game up a notch by arranging Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars on a tiered tray with edible flowers, or stacking them in parchment-lined baskets for a picnic vibe. For parties, cut into mini squares for a colorful dessert platter, or wrap individual bars in wax paper for grab-and-go sweet favors. However you serve them, these bars never fail to steal the show!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with any Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars left (lucky you!), simply cover and store them at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, transfer to the refrigerator, where they’ll hold their fruity flavor and texture for up to a week. Refrigeration actually helps firm up the filling a bit, making them even easier to slice and serve.

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully! Once cooled and cut, layer them in a freezer-safe container between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Pop the container in the freezer, and your Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars will be good for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator for the freshest flavor and best texture.

Reheating

If you crave that just-baked warmth, you can gently reheat individual bars in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds, or pop several on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–10 minutes. They’ll emerge softly warmed with the glaze still intact, perfect with an afternoon cup of coffee or tea.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely! You can swap in frozen strawberries for this recipe without any changes. Just be sure not to thaw them before mixing into the filling—using them straight from the freezer keeps the texture from becoming too soft or watery as the bars bake up.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, you can! Choose your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and follow the recipe as written. The bars may be slightly more delicate, but you’ll get the same deliciously crumbly texture and vibrant flavor.

Can I leave out the lemon or substitute another citrus?

If you’re in the mood for a different citrus note, orange or lime zest would work beautifully in both the filling and the glaze. Or, feel free to omit the lemon entirely if you prefer a pure strawberry treat—vanilla glaze is a lovely alternative.

Can I make a smaller batch?

Definitely! Halve all the ingredients and bake the bars in a 9-inch square pan. Use one whole egg instead of one egg plus yolk. Bake at the same temperature, checking for doneness around 35–37 minutes.

My crumb topping seems dense or dry—what went wrong?

The key to that light, crumbly texture is in keeping the butter very cold and not overmixing. If your topping feels heavy, double-check that your butter was well chilled and that you stopped mixing while the dough still resembled coarse sand. Using your hands helps bring everything together just right.

Final Thoughts

If joyful, sunshiny bakes are your thing, you owe it to yourself to whip up a batch of Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars. With their buttery crumble, juicy berry filling, and that signature zesty glaze, every square is a little taste of happiness. I hope you’ll give them a try and share this little slice of summer with people you love!

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