Description
Delight in these Blackberry Crumble Bars featuring a buttery crumbly crust layered with fresh, juicy blackberries and a hint of lemon zest for a refreshing twist. Perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, these bars make a decadent dessert or a sweet snack for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3/4 cup sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 3 large eggs, slightly beaten
Fruit Filling
- 4 cups fresh blackberries, cut in half
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a standing mixer, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and lemon zest, mixing until the ingredients are well integrated.
- Add butter: Add the cold unsalted butter cubes to the flour mixture and continue mixing to begin incorporating the fat into the dry ingredients.
- Break up butter: Using your fingers or a fork, break the butter into smaller pieces to create a crumbly texture that will form the dough base and topping.
- Incorporate eggs: Add the slightly beaten eggs into the mixture and mix until a crumbly dough forms, holding together but still crumbly in texture.
- Press dough base: Press half of the crumbly dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating the crust for the bars. Set aside.
- Prepare berry filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved blackberries, fresh lemon juice, cornstarch, and sugar. Stir gently to coat the berries evenly without crushing them.
- Assemble filling: Pour the blackberry mixture evenly over the pressed dough crust and spread with a rubber spatula to create a uniform layer.
- Add crumble topping: Crumble the remaining half of the dough evenly over the blackberry filling, covering it with a crumbly layer.
- Bake: Bake the assembled bars in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crumble topping is slightly golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbly.
- Cool down: Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack to set before slicing.
- Serve: Once cooled, cut into 12 bars and enjoy as a sweet treat or dessert.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is cold to achieve the perfect crumbly texture for the crust and topping.
- Cut the blackberries in half to help release natural juices and prevent a soggy crust.
- Let bars cool completely before cutting to prevent filling from oozing out.
- Storage: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate up to a week.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.
