Indulge in the delightful combination of sweet and tangy with these Scrumptious Blueberry Crumble Bars. Each bar features a buttery, golden crust, a juicy blueberry filling enriched with a hint of lemon, and a crispy crumble topping that adds the perfect textural contrast. These bars are a wonderful treat for any occasion, offering a burst of berry flavor complemented by the subtle warmth of cinnamon and a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
Why You'll Love This: You'll love these Blueberry Crumble Bars for their irresistible layers of flavor and texture. The crust is firm yet tender, providing a solid base that holds up the luscious blueberry filling. The filling itself, made with fresh blueberries, is both bright and sweet, with lemon juice enhancing the berries' natural tartness. The crumble topping, featuring a mix of brown sugar and cinnamon, offers a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft filling below. These bars are not only delicious but also visually appealing, making them a perfect choice for sharing and gifting.
Perfect Occasion: These Blueberry Crumble Bars are ideal for picnics, potlucks, family gatherings, or as a sweet treat to enjoy with your afternoon tea or coffee. They're also great for seasonal parties, especially during the summer when blueberries are at their peak, or as a comforting treat to brighten up a winter day. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, these bars are sure to be a hit at any event or casual gathering.
Decoration Tips: For a beautifully finished look, sprinkle powdered sugar over the bars once they have cooled. This not only adds an extra layer of sweetness but also makes them visually more appealing. If you're serving these at a special event, consider adding a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side of each serving. For a festive touch, garnish with fresh blueberry clusters or mint leaves.
Ingredients:
- For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups (6 3/4 oz) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/2 oz) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3/4 cup (6 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- For the Topping:
- 1 cup (4 1/2 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (2 3/8 oz) brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling (optional)
- For the Filling:
- 3 1/2 cups (16-18 oz) blueberries
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2/3 cup (4 5/8 oz) sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8” x 8” baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the ends to overlap for easy removal.
- Prepare the Crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth, then gradually add the flour mixture, beating just until combined. Press the dough into the prepared baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Prepare the Topping: While the crust bakes, combine the flour, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Work the cold butter into the mixture with your fingers until it resembles wet sand and forms half-inch chunks.
- Prepare the Filling: Toss the blueberries with lemon juice, then mix in the sugar and cornstarch. Pour this mixture over the warm baked crust.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the blueberry filling.
- Bake for an additional 28-33 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, lift the bars from the pan using the parchment overhang, cut into squares, and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Enjoy these heavenly Blueberry Crumble Bars, a sweet treat that combines simplicity with delicious sophistication!