Bar Cookies Desserts

Blackberry Crumb Bars

August 11, 2014

This is such a great recipe when summer is bringing all the delicious fruits! Now I’m a diehard chocoholic, but there’s something about fruit desserts in the summer. Blackberries are high on my favorite fruit list and they’re fantastic in these Blackberry Crumb Bars. Feel free to sub blueberries, raspberries, or maybe a mix of all your favorites! The crust is delicate and has a hint of lemon and cinnamon. Those plump blackberries are in the middle, sweetened ever so slightly. The same crust as the bottom is crumbled on top. I highly suggest serving these bars warm with a big scoop of good vanilla ice cream. I love it when you get a bite that’s warm and cold, and the ice cream gets a little melty. Summer at its best!

Blackberry Crumb Bars

So, how’s it taste?

I made these bars for a coworker’s birthday, who is a big fan of fruit desserts, and they were a hit. I kept sneaking in the kitchen to get another bar and another big scoop of ice cream. Diet downfall for realz that day!

Blackberry Crumb Bars

I like these bars because the crust is sweet and it helps to balance the really tart fruit. The blackberries I used were already tart, but they do get a little sugar shower. The recipe called for the juice of one lemon, which can vary greatly, and I think I had a really juicy lemon. I adjusted the recipe slightly to only call for 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice. The tart lemon took over the flavor of the blackberry, but I’m a big fan of lemon desserts so it didn’t bother me. If you really wanted to cheat and sweeten this recipe, you could use pie filling. I tend to lean toward the fresh fruits though. Use them while they’re at their peak!

Blackberry Crumb Bars

Yield: 12 bars

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 45 min

Total Time: 1 hr

Blackberry Crumb Bars

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Zest of one lemon
1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1 inch slices
1 large egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup lemon juice
4 cups fresh blackberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Spray a 9Γ—13-inch pan with cooking spray (or grease with butter).

2. In a food processor, pulse together flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and lemon zest. Add the butter, egg, and vanilla; pulse until dough is crumbly. Spread half of dough into bottom of prepared pan. Press down with your fingers toΒ  evenly spread. Save remaining dough for topping.

3. In a medium bowl, stir together the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Gently mix in the blackberries. Sprinkle the blackberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.

4. Bake for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. Careful not to cook too long or the bottom crust will burn.

5. Cool completely before cutting into squares. Store in an airtight container.

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  • Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice August 11, 2014 at 11:21 am

    These crumb bars look amazing, Leah! And I agree, fruit desserts are the best in summer. I love that you used blackberries in these bars too, gives it a nice twist from more standard fruits!

  • Sues August 11, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    I love the balance of sweet and tart in these bars… And the color is so pretty!

  • Shannon @ Bake. Frost. Repeat. August 11, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    Such a pretty picture. I love crumb bars!

  • mary @ minutes per mile August 11, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    these look so good! might try them with whole wheat flour/oatmeal/almond meal mix just for fun.

  • Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy August 11, 2014 at 2:30 pm

    I am the same as you. I love chocolate desserts, but in the summer it is all about the summer dessert. Might as well make the most of the fruits being as good as they are at the moment.
    These look amazing. Can’t wait to try it.

  • Lesley Eats August 11, 2014 at 3:04 pm

    I was all, “oh, these look awesome. I love fruit desserts and these look messy than a crisp” and then I saw two sticks of butter! Another dessert I’d rather just have a piece of than to make myself so I can be in denial about all the fat and calories. πŸ˜€ But, dang, they look good.

  • Annie @Maebells August 11, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    Ohhh! yum! I bought a ton of blackberries at the farmers market last weekend. I made a blackberry cobbler that wasn’t nearly as good as I hoped it would be. I think I need to redeem myself with these bars!

  • Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong August 11, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    OMG! How amazing is that!!! Look at that crumb. Pure awesomeness!! πŸ™‚

  • Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron August 11, 2014 at 8:02 pm

    Yum, I love fruit crumb bars! I love how the blackberries get so bright and purple after baking. These look delicious πŸ™‚

  • Isadora August 11, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    I totally agree, fruit desserts in the summer are thee way to go! They are so fresh and tasty and I always tell myself that I can eat more of them because there is fruit involved πŸ™‚ This crumb toppings looks delicious!

  • Crystal | Apples & Sparkle August 12, 2014 at 1:56 am

    Mmm, so good! I just love blackberries! They grew everywhere on my family’s farm as I was growing up. We ate so much blackberry pie. : )

  • Olivia - Primavera Kitchen August 12, 2014 at 11:03 am

    These crumb bars look AWESOME, Leah! Great great recipe! My month is watering. I must make this recipe on the weekend! And I agree with you, I think fruit desserts are the best in summer πŸ˜‰

  • Cailee @ http://hellohealthyeating.com August 12, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    Well don’t these look delicious?!! Nothing beats a fresh homemade bar! And the fruit looks so bright, beautiful and delicious! YUM!

  • Jessica @ Sweet Menu August 13, 2014 at 5:31 pm

    How sweet are these! They look absolutely scrumptious!

  • Monet August 13, 2014 at 11:05 pm

    I love crumb bars. I’ve never made one with blackberries though. Eager to try now!

  • Kelly - Life Made Sweeter August 14, 2014 at 12:29 am

    These look amazing! Fruit desserts are my favorite in the summer. I love that you used blackberries in here, it sounds incredible!