Looking for a dessert that perfectly balances tangy and sweet flavors? Lemon strawberry crumb bars are your answer! These mouth-watering treats combine zesty lemon, fresh strawberries, and a buttery crumbly topping to create an irresistible dessert. Whether you're hosting a gathering or simply craving something delicious, this recipe is perfect for any occasion. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know to make these delectable bars, including ingredient tips, step-by-step instructions, and helpful serving ideas. Let's dive into the world of lemon strawberry crumb bars!

What Are Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars?
Lemon strawberry crumb bars are a delightful dessert made from three essential layers. The base is a soft and buttery shortbread-like crust, followed by a fruity and tart strawberry-lemon filling, and topped off with a golden, crumbly layer. The combination of flavors creates a harmonious balance between sweet and tangy that is sure to leave you wanting more. These bars are the perfect treat for spring and summer but can be enjoyed year-round. They’re also incredibly easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.
Ingredients List for Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars
To start off, let's gather the essential ingredients for our lemon strawberry crumb bars. This list includes common pantry staples and fresh produce that you can easily find at your local grocery store.
For the Crust and Crumble:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base for both the crust and the crumbly topping.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Gives the bars their buttery and rich texture.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the crust and crumble layers.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Adds a slight lift to the crust.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
- 1 large egg, room temperature: Helps bind the crust together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds depth of flavor.
For the Lemon Strawberry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, diced: The star of the filling! Fresh, ripe strawberries add natural sweetness and a pop of color.
- Zest of 1 lemon: Adds bright citrus flavor to complement the sweetness of the strawberries.
- Juice of 1 lemon: Enhances the tanginess and provides moisture for the filling.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the fruit filling.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch: Thickens the filling to ensure it sets properly when baked.
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about lemon strawberry crumb bars is that they’re incredibly versatile. Here are some substitutions and variations to try if you want to switch things up:
- Strawberries: If strawberries are not in season, you can substitute them with other berries like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. You can even use frozen strawberries if fresh ones aren’t available—just make sure to thaw and drain them well.
- Lemon: If you’re not a fan of lemon, swap the lemon zest and juice with lime or orange for a different citrus flavor.
- Butter: For a dairy-free option, replace the butter with a plant-based butter alternative.
- Flour: To make these bars gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
- Sweetener: You can experiment with using brown sugar, coconut sugar, or a sugar substitute like Stevia or Monk Fruit for a healthier twist.
These substitutions allow you to customize the recipe to your dietary preferences and tastes while still delivering a delicious dessert!
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Let’s walk through the process of making lemon strawberry crumb bars. This step-by-step guide ensures that even beginners can bake these scrumptious treats with ease.
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to lift the bars out easily once they’re done.
Step 2: Prepare the Crust and Crumble
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, mix until crumbly. The mixture should resemble coarse crumbs.
Step 3: Form the Base
Take about two-thirds of the crumb mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish to form the base. Make sure the crust is evenly distributed across the pan.
Step 4: Prepare the Lemon Strawberry Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the diced strawberries, lemon zest, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Stir until the strawberries are well coated and the mixture is thickened slightly.
Step 5: Assemble the Bars
Spread the strawberry-lemon filling evenly over the pressed crust. Take the remaining one-third of the crumb mixture and sprinkle it over the top of the filling, creating the crumbly topping.
Step 6: Bake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. The edges should be slightly crisp.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Once the bars are finished baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. After cooling, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into squares or rectangles for serving.
How to Cook Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide
Cooking lemon strawberry crumb bars is easier than you think! Here’s a summarized step-by-step guide to ensure your bars turn out perfect every time:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking dish with parchment paper.
- Make the crumb mixture by combining flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, egg, and vanilla extract until crumbly.
- Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan to create the crust.
- Prepare the filling by mixing strawberries, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch.
- Spread the filling over the pressed crust evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top of the filling.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool completely before slicing and serving.
With these easy steps, you’ll have delicious crumb bars ready in no time!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While making lemon strawberry crumb bars is relatively simple, there are a few common mistakes to watch out for:
- Overmixing the crust: Be careful not to overmix the crust ingredients. You want the mixture to be crumbly, not smooth like cookie dough.
- Not cooling completely: It’s crucial to let the bars cool completely before slicing. If they’re too warm, they may crumble or fall apart when cut.
- Using too much lemon juice: Too much liquid can make the filling overly runny. Stick to the recommended amount for a perfectly set filling.
- Forgetting parchment paper: Lining the pan with parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes it easier to lift the bars out for slicing.
Avoid these pitfalls to ensure your crumb bars come out beautifully every time.
Serving and Presentation Tips
Lemon strawberry crumb bars are visually appealing and taste even better when served with a few thoughtful additions. Here are some serving and presentation ideas to elevate your dessert:
How to Serve Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars
- Warm with ice cream: Serve the bars slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The contrast between the warm bars and cold ice cream is irresistible!
- Dust with powdered sugar: For an elegant touch, lightly dust the top of the bars with powdered sugar just before serving.
- With whipped cream: Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
- Paired with tea or coffee: These bars are the perfect companion for a cozy afternoon tea or coffee break.
Presentation Ideas for Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars
- Rustic platter: Serve the bars on a rustic wooden platter for a charming, down-to-earth presentation.
- Elegant dessert plates: Place each bar on individual dessert plates with a drizzle of lemon glaze or berry sauce.
- Garnish with fresh fruit: Garnish the serving platter with fresh strawberries and lemon slices to echo the flavors in the bars.
Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars Recipe Tips
- Chill the butter: For an extra crumbly topping, use cold butter instead of softened butter when making the crumb mixture.
- Make ahead: These bars can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge. They actually taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
- Freeze leftovers: If you have any leftover bars, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Just be sure to thaw and drain them well to prevent excess moisture in the filling.
How do I store lemon strawberry crumb bars?
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make them gluten-free.
Can I add other fruits to the filling?
Yes, you can mix in other fruits
like blueberries, raspberries, or even peaches for a fun twist on the classic recipe.
Conclusion
Lemon strawberry crumb bars are the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth while delivering a burst of fresh, tangy flavors. With their buttery crust, fruity filling, and crumbly topping, they’re sure to become a favorite in your dessert rotation. Whether you’re serving them at a party or enjoying a slice with your afternoon coffee, these bars are guaranteed to impress. So, gather your ingredients and give this recipe a try—you won’t be disappointed!
PrintLemon Strawberry Crumb Bars Recipe
These Lemon Strawberry Crumb Bars are a delightful treat, combining tangy lemon zest and fresh strawberries with a buttery crumb topping. The perfect balance of tartness and sweetness makes them irresistible. Ideal for summer, picnics, or any dessert table, these bars are easy to make and full of flavor!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries
- Lemon zest and juice
- Granulated sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in butter, and mix in egg and vanilla until crumbly.
- Press half the mixture into the baking dish for the crust.
- Combine chopped strawberries, lemon juice, and zest; sprinkle over the crust.
- Crumble the remaining dough on top of the strawberry layer.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
- Bars can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
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