Blueberry Crumb Bars
User Reviews
5
Blueberry Crumb Bars
Description
These Blueberry Crumb Bars consist of a dough mixed from flour, granulated and brown sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, vanilla, and chilled butter, which is pressed partly into a baking dish to form the base. The filling mixes fresh blueberries with lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch which thickens during baking to hold the berries together. Finally, the remaining crumb dough is sprinkled over the berry layer.
Baked at 375°F for about 40 minutes, the bars develop a golden crumbly top and firm crust underneath surrounding the sweet and tangy blueberry filling. The lemon juice brightens the berry flavor, balancing the sugars in the crust and filling. Allowing the bars to cool before cutting helps them set into neat squares that hold their shape.
This recipe can be easily adapted with other fresh berries or extra lemon zest for a more pronounced citrus note. The crumb topping contrasts in texture with the juicy filling, creating a balanced dessert with moderate sweetness and tartness.
Ingredients
- 3 cups (390g) all-purpose flour (spoon and level)
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 egg large
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter chilled and cut into cubes
Filling
- 1 Tbsp (9g) cornstarch
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp (22ml) lemon juice
- 4 cups (538g) blueberries at room temperature, fresh
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish (also line with parchment and butter parchment if you'd like to lift them out easier), set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder and salt.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together egg and vanilla until combine.
- Add egg mixture and cold butter cubes to flour mixture and using a fork or a pastry cutter, cut mixture together until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press 1/2 of the mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and cornstarch, stir in lemon juice.
- Add blueberries then toss mixture to evenly coat, pour and spread coated blueberries evenly over crust in baking dish.
- Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over berry layer.
- Bake in preheated oven about 38 - 42 minutes until top is golden brown.
- Allow to cool for about 20 - 30 minutes before cutting into squares.
- Store cooled bars in an airtight container in refrigerator (rewarm in microwave for 10 - 15 seconds if desired).
Notes
- This recipe is adapted from allrecipes.com and can be modified by substituting other fresh berries for the blueberries.
- Adding lemon zest to the filling can enhance the citrus flavor for a brighter taste.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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