Blueberry Crumb Bars
Ingredients
- 3 call-purpose flour
spoon and level
- ½ cgranulated sugar
- ½ cbrown sugar
- 1 tspbaking powder
- ¼ tspsalt
- 1 largeegg
- 1 ½ tspvanilla extract
- 1 cunsalted butter
chilled and cut into cubes
- 1 tbspcornstarch
- ½ cgranulated sugar
- 1 ½ tbsplemon juice
- 4 cfresh blueberries
at room temperature
Directions
- 1
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.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder and salt.
- 3
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together egg and vanilla until combine.
- 4
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.
- 5
Press 1/2 of the mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.
- 6
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and cornstarch, stir in lemon juice.
- 7
Add blueberries then toss mixture to evenly coat, pour and spread coated blueberries evenly over crust in baking dish.
- 8
Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over berry layer.
- 9
Bake in preheated oven about 38 - 42 minutes until top is golden brown.
- 10
Allow to cool for about 20 - 30 minutes before cutting into squares.
- 11
Store cooled bars in an airtight container in refrigerator (rewarm in microwave for 10 - 15 seconds if desired).
Blueberry Crumb Bars
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About this Recipe
Irresistible Blueberry Crumb Bars: Your New Favorite Summer Treat!
Get ready to fall in love with these incredible Blueberry Crumb Bars! Imagine a perfect harmony of textures and flavors: a rich, buttery, crisp cookie-like crumb that envelops a vibrant, sweet, and perfectly juicy blueberry filling. These bars aren't just a dessert; they're a celebration of summer, making the most of those abundant fresh blueberries.
What makes these crumb bars truly stand out is the exquisite balance. The crumb base and topping provide a delightful chewiness and crunch, while the blueberry filling bursts with natural sweetness and a hint of tang from the lemon juice. It's a recipe I've cherished for years, and it always receives rave reviews. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or simply enjoying a sweet moment at home, they're surprisingly easy to make and yield a generous batch, ensuring there's enough to share... or keep all to yourself!
Tips for Perfect Blueberry Crumb Bars
- Chilled Butter is Key: For that signature crumbly texture in your blueberry crumb bars, ensure your butter is very cold and cut into small cubes. This helps prevent overworking the dough and results in a flakier crust.
- Don't Overmix: Mix the crumb mixture just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, leading to a tough crumb rather than a tender one.
- Embrace the Lemon: The dash of lemon juice in the blueberry filling isn't just for flavor; it also helps brighten the blueberries and prevents the filling from being overly sweet. You can even add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the crumb for an extra citrusy pop!
Variations & Serving Suggestions
While classic blueberry crumb bars are fantastic on their own, don't hesitate to experiment!
- Berry Swap: Try using raspberries, blackberries, or a mix of your favorite berries for a different twist. Adjust sugar slightly if using tarter fruits.
- Nutty Crunch: Add a handful of chopped pecans or almonds to the crumb mixture for an added layer of texture and flavor. Serve these delightful bars slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or simply enjoy them plain with your morning coffee. They're versatile, comforting, and utterly delicious any time of day!