Blueberry Crumb Bars Recipe

With a buttery crust and a touch of lemon, these blueberry crumb bars are the right method to make use of stunning contemporary blueberries.

Longtime readers will know the way a lot I like blueberries. Contemporary out of the container, in my cereal, and particularly baked into yummy desserts. Throw in some lemon and I’m one comfortable lady.

There’s a purpose why I really like blueberry french toast casserole, blueberry lemonade, and lemon blueberry bread a lot! I actually can’t get sufficient of that blueberry-lemon combo.

And these blueberry crumb bars are not any exception. They’ll be the right method to make use of summer-ripe blueberries as soon as they begin popping up on the farmers’ market. However till then, frozen blueberries work simply as nice on this recipe.

These bars are delish for breakfast with a cup of espresso, as dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or as a day pick-me-up with an iced shaken espresso. They’re really an anytime-of-day baked good.

In addition they journey nicely, so that they’re excellent for taking alongside to all your upcoming summer time barbecues! 

The best way to make blueberry crumb bars

These blueberry crumb bars come collectively simply because of your meals processor. For those who’ve made my pecan bars, you then’re used to utilizing a meals processor to make crusts like this a snap! 

Components you’ll want

The crust for these blueberry crumb bars serves as each the bottom and the crumb topping. To make the crust, you have to:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon tremendous sea salt
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 cup chilly unsalted butter, lower into items
• 1 giant egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Earlier than you begin baking, ensure you know  measure flour accurately in order that your bars prove excellent each time. 

I really like including lemon zest to the crust to offer the blueberry bars a little bit of vibrant lemony taste. You will want about 2 lemons to get 2 teaspoons of zest.

For the blueberry filling, you have to:

• 4 cups contemporary or frozen blueberries
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

You should use contemporary or frozen blueberries on this recipe. For those who’re utilizing frozen berries, you’ll be able to thaw them or depart them frozen; it actually doesn’t make a distinction for the way the ultimate bars prove.

Making this recipe

To begin, make the crust for these blueberry crumb bars.

Seize a meals processor and add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Pulse this combination a number of occasions to mix the whole lot.

Now add the butter items and pulse 10-12 occasions; the combination ought to resemble coarse meal with a number of pea-sized items of butter all through.

In a small bowl, whisk collectively the egg and the vanilla. With the meals processor operating, stream on this combination. As soon as the egg has been added, let the meals processor run for only a few extra seconds to complete combining the whole lot.

The dough might be actually crumbly, however ought to maintain collectively once you squeeze it in your hand.

Add simply over half of the dough combination to a 9×13-inch pan that has been greased and lined with parchment paper. Use your palms or the underside of a glass or measuring cup to press the dough firmly into the underside of the pan.

Bake the crust at 375°F for 10 minutes, till the sides are golden and the middle is simply set.

Whereas the crust bakes, stir collectively the blueberries, sugar, and cornstarch. Unfold this combination evenly over the baked crust, then sprinkle on the remaining dough.

If you would like some bigger crumbs on the highest, squeeze among the dough collectively in your palms as you add it over the berry layer.

Bake the bars for 35-40 minutes, or till the crumb topping is evenly golden and the fruit is bubbly across the edges.

Let the blueberry crumb bars cool utterly earlier than slicing and serving.

Blueberry crumb bar storage and freezing

Retailer blueberry crumb bars in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 1 day or within the fridge for as much as 3 days.

If storing within the fridge, permit the bars to return to room temperature earlier than serving. Or you’ll be able to microwave bars for about 30 seconds to heat them via earlier than having fun with.

To freeze, place the bars in an hermetic container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for as much as a month.

Enable the bars to thaw on the counter for a few hours earlier than having fun with.

Incessantly requested questions