Lemon Curd Bars
The charm of this lemon curd bar recipe lies in its delightful oatmeal-based crust, a unique twist that adds texture and depth. The precise balance of the homemade lemon curd layer is equally appealing, meticulously crafted to ensure it’s neither too overwhelming nor too subtle.
Whenever I make lemon curd, I always add it to a few recipes: this delicious dessert and my lemon curd margarita.
Lemon-baked goods remind me of my grandmother! She was a great cook and baker but she made the best lemon desserts. I wish I could taste her lemon meringue pies. I have made her lemon bread and muffins.
Lemon is one of the few flavors I would pick over chocolate. Lemon desserts and cocktails are so scrumptious!
I love the taste of the oat/flour/butter mixture that serves as both the crust and the topping. It sandwiches the perfect amount of lemon curd and starts my heart singing!
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Helpful tips
- Focus on the crust since you already have your curd ready. An oatmeal base is unique – ensure your oats are old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. Keep the butter cold to achieve a flaky, crisp texture.
- Ensure your butter is at room temperature before placing it in your mixer. I’m using unsalted butter.
- Make your own lemon curd as it is so easy. I would not recommend using canned lemon filling.
- When adding your homemade lemon curd to the crust, aim for an even layer. The right thickness ensures every bite has a harmonious balance of crust and curd.
- I’m using brown sugar because I love the depth of flavor, but you can also use granulated sugar.
- Grease the pan liberally. You can use either butter or Crisco shortening. You can also cut a sheet of parchment paper and place it in the bottom of the pan. If you do, grease that as well.
- For neatly sliced bars, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water. Wipe the knife after each cut to maintain clean edges.
- Since you’re using homemade curd, adjust the sweetness of the crust accordingly. If your curd is more tart, a slightly sweeter crust can complement it well.
- Although I don’t do this as it has a top crust, a light dusting of powdered sugar on top can add a visual appeal and a touch of extra sweetness.
- Serve them chilled or at room temperature, depending on your preference. The texture and flavor profile can change slightly with the temperature.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They usually keep well for up to a week.
- When you bake these bars, the lemon curd more often than not gets crispy around the sides. Don’t worry about it. They are yummy taste treats and the crispy sides are fun to eat first.
How to make lemon curd bars
Pre-step
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and liberally grease an 8 x 8 pan. Get a stand mixer, or an electric mixer, and a rubber spatula.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, room-temperature butter, and baking soda. (A)
Step two
Grab your stand mixer and place 6 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar in it. Turn the mixer on medium and cream the two ingredients together. (B)
Step three
Add 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup rolled oats, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. (C) Turn the mixer on again and mix until everything is incorporated.
Step four
Take 3/4 of the dough and press it in the greased baking pan. (D)
Step five
Spoon some out of the jar of lemon curd and spread about 1.5 – 2 cups of the curd on the dough layer. (E)
Step six
Take the rest of the oat mixture and crumble it over the lemon curd. (F)
Step seven
Place the pan into the oven and bake for 20 – 25 minutes.
Let the lemon bars cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before you cut into them.
Time to serve the lemon bars.
Doesn’t that look good? I like the crispy little edges. When I’m left to my own devices, I eat that part first.
Soooooo good.
I hope you enjoyed this lemon curd bars recipe!
Other dessert recipes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish.
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Lemon Curd Bars
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter (softened – room temperature)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup oats (old fashioned)
- 1.5 cup lemon curd (1.5 – 2 cups)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F and liberally grease a pan.
- In a mixer, add butter and sugar. Mix on medium until incorporated.6 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar
- Add flour, baking soda, salt, and rolled oats, and turn the mixer on medium. Mix until incorporated.1 cup flour, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup oats
- Press 3/4 of the dough in the bottom of the pan.
- Spread lemon curd over that layer.1.5 cup lemon curd
- Sprinkle the remaining dough on top of the lemon curd layer.
- Bake for 20 – 25 minutes. Mine took 20 minutes.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting them into bars.
- Serve, smile, enjoy
Equipment
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
Helpful tips
- Focus on the crust since you already have your curd ready. An oatmeal base is unique – ensure your oats are old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. Keep the butter cold to achieve a flaky, crisp texture.
- Ensure your butter is at room temperature before placing it in your mixer. I’m using unsalted butter.
- Make your own lemon curd as it is so easy. I would not recommend using canned lemon filling.
- When adding your homemade lemon curd to the crust, aim for an even layer. The right thickness ensures every bite has a harmonious balance of crust and curd.
- I’m using brown sugar because I love the depth of flavor, but you can also use granulated sugar.
- Grease the pan liberally. You can use either butter or Crisco shortening. You can also cut a sheet of parchment paper and place it in the bottom of the pan. If you do, grease that as well.
- For neatly sliced bars, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water. Wipe the knife after each cut to maintain clean edges.
- Since you’re using homemade curd, adjust the sweetness of the crust accordingly. If your curd is more tart, a slightly sweeter crust can complement it well.
- Although I don’t do this as it has a top crust, a light dusting of powdered sugar on top can add a visual appeal and a touch of extra sweetness.
- Serve them chilled or at room temperature, depending on your preference. The texture and flavor profile can change slightly with the temperature.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They usually keep well for up to a week.
- When you bake these bars, the lemon curd more often than not gets crispy around the sides. Don’t worry about it. They are yummy taste treats and the crispy sides are fun to eat first.
Nutrition
Originally published May of 2017.
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
These look wonderful! I am a “middle” piece person myself. Love all of the topping, yum!
Thanks Kim!
These lemon curd bars look fantastic! They’ll be a real crowd-pleaser at summer potluck parties! So nice that you have those memories of your grandmother surrounding your love for all things lemon!
Thanks Lindsay!! That was sweet of you to say that about my memories of my grandmother!
I love the name of this first of all and second, they look delicious. How sweet that you always return containers with food in them. Wish I was your neighbor!
Hehe Karen! Thanks!
My family would love these bars! Pinning to try.
Thanks Suzy. I hope you enjoy it when you do!
These look so tasty! I do make lemon bars but the addition of oatmeal crumble on top takes it to the next level. I’m definitely making this!
Thanks Neena! It’s a family favorite!
Yum! I will definitely give these a go. I love lemon anything. Love the way it can make your face cave in too! ?
Haha Gabby, for sure!
Mmm, I could use a piece or two with my morning coffee. We love lemon desserts! Saving this one. 🙂
Thank you Jas!!
This is one outstanding recipe! I love the oat mixture with the lemon. I could eat a whole pan of these things.
I beat you to half of them. 😉
Lemon curd is a favorite treat of mine but I’ve never made bars with it before, what a delicious idea! I’m looking forward to making this with my kids sometime this week. Thanks so much for the beautiful post.
Thanks so much Dan! It’s so yummy in bars – (and in frozen margaritas! ;))
YES please. I am a LEMON lover. I can eat lemon curd by the spoonful. What a great dessert for Easter dinner.
Thanks so much Gloria! We eat a lot of lemon baked goods this time of the year!
These Lemon Curd Bars look so delicious!
Thanks Shanika!
Such a great spring dessert!! Love lemon!
Thank you Tisha! I too think of spring when I eat it!
The oatmeal crumble on the top…wow! This is such a brilliant addition, I’ll try your way soon. Thanks for the amazing recipe.
Thank Meghna. I hope you enjoy it when you do!
I think I agree with you in picking lemon over chocolate. I never thought about that, but it’s true now that you brought that up. My lemon trees are covered in fruit right now so I think these bars will perfect.
Yum! I used to have a lemon and orange tree back in CA and I miss them! Thanks Jere!
I love lemon bars! These look so delicious and unique – different than my usual recipe. Can’t wait to try this!
Thanks Natalie! I love lemon bars done this way. I love them with shortbread too but this is my favorite.
I’m such a huge fan of anything lemony, these look so easy to put together and so delicious! Look forward to trying them this Spring!
Thanks so much Carrie! I appreciate it.
Lemon bars reminds me of my Mom, she loves them. I will have to try this recipe for sure.
Thanks Denise!! They remind me of my grandmother!
These are the perfect dessert sweet and slightly tart! I love the crust too
Thanks so much Anne!
I LOVE lemon curd! It’s such a staple in our house – we put it on pancakes or waffles, stir it into yogurt, put a dollop on top of a slice of pound cake. But one thing I haven’t tried is baking it into lemon bars. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Us too, Julie. Hubby especially loves it! Thanks for your comment!
I like this version of a lemon bar with oats! They look so good, and I love the tang from the lemon curd. I too love chocolate but cannot resist lemon desserts 🙂 .
Thanks so much Nicoletta!! Me too Nicoletta! Lemon is a good change in place of chocolate.
Lemon curd is seriously one of my favorites and in these bars with the oats and brown sugar….YUM! I can only imagine the flavor is AMAZING!
Thanks so much Kelly! It really is a great bar!
Lemons are amazing this time of year. And these bars look fantastic! I’m so into lemony desserts lately so I will definitely give this recipe a try. Love that you you used spelt flour.
Thanks so much Natalie! 🙂
I’d pick lemon over chocolate too! These bars look yummy with an old fashioned appeal. The kind you’d take to a potluck!
Exactly! Thanks Charity!
These beautiful little lemon curd bars remind me of summer picnics! I LOVE! the oatmeal base, they look so delicious and a little crunchy ! 🙂
They are crunchy around the edges which is one of my favorite parts! Thanks Analida!
I am loving your recipe! Lemon is a favorite flavor and you have made the recipe so easy to follow! This is a winner of a recipe for me!
Thanks Eileen! I appreciate it!
Those lemon curd bars look fantastic! With summer approaching,they’ll be a crowd pleaser for any gathering!
They are definitely loved by everyone who eats them.
This was a hit at work today! Everyone was raving about it! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks so much Ping for letting me know! I’m glad your work mates liked it!