Blueberry Oatmeal Lemon Cream Bars

Here's another lemon recipe that I just had to make.  I made a few changes to this recipe, and the results are amazing!

Blueberry Oatmeal Lemon Cream Bars

Blueberry Oatmeal Crumble:
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 cups old fashioned oatmeal
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup dried blueberries
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Lemon Cream Filling:
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 Tablespoon lemon zest
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
2 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Lightly grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oatmeal, lemon zest, salt, baking soda, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well blended.  Stir in the dried blueberries.  Stir the vanilla extract into the melted butter, then pour the butter/vanilla mixture into the flour mixture and toss together until evenly moistened and crumbly.  

Press half of the crumble mixture evenly into the prepared pan.  Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.  While the crust is baking, make the lemon filling.

For the lemon filling, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, egg yolks, and lemon extract until well blended.  When the crust is finished baking, remove from the oven and immediately pour the lemon filling evenly over the top.  Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the lemon filling and return to the oven for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.  Remove from the oven and let cool.  Cover and refrigerate until chilled.  Cut into squares and serve.  Makes 16 servings.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy