Did you see the delicious homemade lemon curd I posted last week? Well that lemon curd has been used for a number of treats now. First in my Lemon Meringue Cake to celebrate Sugar Salt Magics 3rd birthday and now this Lemon Crumble Slice.

A hand picking up a Lemon Crumble Slice.

WHY I LOVE THIS LEMON CRUMBLE SLICE

DESCRIPTION

This baked treat is a shortbread cookie base, topped with lemon curd and then a crumble topping.

DIFFICULTY

Very easy. Both the cookie doughs for the top and the crumble are very simple. Lemon curd is very quick to make but you can certainly use a good quality shop bought lemon curd to make it even quicker.

MAKE AHEAD?

Yes, this Lemon Crumble Slice can be made up to a few days ahead.

STORAGE

Keep in an airtight container, in the fridge for 4-5 days.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

These are great served just as they are and are a brilliant portable treat for a picnic.

A stack of Lemon Crumble Slices with more surrounding it.

This Lemon Crumble Slice is actually a remake of an older version I had posted many moons ago. I’ve not only changed up the recipe a little and made it even more delicious but also taken some new photos and some step by step photos to make it even easier.

HOW TO MAKE LEMON SLICE

It really is easy to make. The first step is to make that thick, crunchy shortbread base – just a matter of creaming butter and sugar together then adding everything else. You’ll press this dough out into the bottom of  an 8″ x 8″ baking tin like this one and then par-bake it.

2 photos: butter and sugar is creamed together in a metal bowl, vanilla is added.

2 photos: cookie base is being prepared in a metal bowl.

2 photos: adding cookie base to a square tin, spreading lemon curd on top.

Once it has baked for a short time, just let it cool for 10 minutes before spreading over the lemon curd. You can make my version which takes less than 15 minutes or just buy a really good quality lemon curd from the grocery shop.

2 photos: ingredients for crumble topping in a glass bowl, butter is cut into the flour with a pastry blender.

The crumble topping is a slightly different dough that you can use your fingers or a pastry cutter like the one above to cut the butter into the dry ingredients.

2 photos: making crumble topping in a glass bowl.

2 photos: adding crumble topping on top to prepare the lemon crumble slice for baking.

Then use a fork to mix through an egg yolk and a little lemon zest. Scatter the crumble topping over the lemon curd and bake a little longer.

The bit I love the most about this treat is, ok it tastes amazing but on top of that, I love those little jammy bits around the edges where the lemon curd caramelises a little and gets a little chewy texture to it, while the middle remains gloriously soft.

Click here to pin this recipe for later!

A stack of 3 Lemon Crumble Slices with more around, next to a jar of lemon curd.

This Lemon Crumble Slice would be just perfect picnic food. It’s portable, bright and tangy and looks like sunshine in a cookie bar. Happy baking 🙂

More lemony treats

This Lemon Crumble Slice is zesty and bright and one of the most delicious lemon curd desserts. With a shortbread base and crunchy crumble topping, this lemon slice is easy to make too.
4.7 from 17 ratings
This Lemon Crumble Slice is zesty and bright and one of the most delicious lemon curd desserts. With a shortbread base and crunchy crumble topping, this lemon slice is easy to make too.

Ingredients

Shortbread base

  • 170 g / 3/4 cup / 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 75 g / 2.7oz caster (superfine) sugar
  • 195 g / 1 1/2 cups / 6.9oz plain (all purp) flour
  • 60 g / 2.1 oz rice flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling

  • 3/4 cup lemon curd

Crumble topping

  • 97 g / 3/4 cup / 3.4oz plain (all purp) flour
  • 1/3 cup / 35g / 1.2oz almond meal (ground almonds)
  • 1/4 cup / 50g / 1.7 light brown sugar
  • 85 g / 3/4 stick / 3oz unsalted butter, cold & cubed
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

For best results, always weigh ingredients where a weight is provided

Instructions
 

For the shortbread base

  • Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / 160C fan forced. Line an 8 inch square baking tin with baking paper.
  • Sift together the flours and set aside.
  • Beat together the butter and sugar until light and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
  • Gradually add the flours while continuing to beat on low until it comes together.
  • Use your hands to press the shortbread mixture into an even layer over the base of the baking tin.
  • Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Allow it to cool for 10 minutes, then spread the lemon curd over in an even layer

For the crumble topping

  • Mix together the flour, almond meal and sugar, then add the butter. Use a pastry cutter, a knife or just you fingertips to gently work the butter into the dry ingredients. If you’re using your fingers, be careful not to melt the butter. It should look like very lumpy wet sand at the end.
  • Add the egg yolk and lemon zest and use a fork or the same method for the last step to mix it all through the dough. Now you should have a wet dough but make sure to still leave it clumpy rather than turning it into one big smooth ball.
  • Break the dough up and scatter all over the top of the lemon curd.
  • Return the tin to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden

Notes

  1. For best results you should always weigh ingredients like flour and sugar. Kitchen scales like these  are relatively cheap but if you can’t weigh the ingredients, use the spoon and level method (don’t scoop).
  2. I use an 8" x 8" baking tin like this one
Have you tried this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating and comment below and let me know how it was! I love hearing from you. Nutrition information is approximate and derived from an online calculator. The brands you use may cause variations.

2 Lemon Crumble Slices, one is leaning on the other.