This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our privacy policy.
[donotprint]I adore blueberries…fresh out of a bowl, in my cereal and especially baked into yummy desserts…throw in some lemon and I am one happy girl. Although I love some blueberry goodness, I refuse to pay the crazy high prices I have been seeing at the market. I improvised a bit and used frozen berries in this recipe and they worked just beautifully. Moral of the story, if you find a deal or don’t mind the price tag, use fresh, but frozen berries work just fine.
I was actually pleasantly surprised to see blueberries on sale today at Whole Foods and picked up two pints. I have no idea what I am going to do with them yet, but I am thinking scones because scones equal bliss in my book or maybe blueberry ice cream, such a tough decision. Whatever I choose to make, I will definitely post here on MBA.
I came across these Blueberry Crumble Bars on allrecipes and knew they would be amazing. I kicked the flavor up a bit by using butter instead of shortening, adding in a bunch of lemon zest and a splash my homemade vanilla extract. The lemon-blueberry flavor is great for summer and the texture of the topping is absolute perfection. Honestly they are delish for breakfast with a cup of coffee, as dessert witha nice scoop of vanilla ice cream or as a snack…it’s truly an anytime of the day baked good. These also travel pretty well, so if they strike your fancy, be sure to bookmark them for a future summer barbeque. If you decide to make these, definitely come back and leave a comment letting us know you liked them. Have a fantastic and delicious weekend!
Looking for more blueberry deliciousness? Check out these posts:
Blueberry-Lemon Bundt Cake from My Baking Addiction
Blueberry Zucchini Bread from My Baking Addiction
Blueberry Cornmeal Cake from Vino Luci Style
Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins from Two Peas and Their Pod
Low Sugar Double Blueberry Parfaits from Kalyn’s Kitchen[/donotprint]
[print_link]
Blueberry Crumb Bars
Ingredients
1 cup white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
zest of two lemons
4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons cornstarch
Method
1.Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2.In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour, salt, lemon zest and baking powder.
3. In a small bowl, whisk the egg and vanilla together until combined.
4. Use pastry cutter or your food processor (see not below for alternative method) to blend the flour mixture with the butter and egg/vanilla mixture. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of dough into the prepared pan.
5. In another bowl, stir together 1/2 sugar and cornstarch. Gently mix in the blueberries. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Note: If you do not have a pastry cutter or a food processor, simply freeze your butter and use a box grated to grate the butter into the flour mixture. Use two forks or your fingers to fully incorporate.
Wow, This looks so good. I cant wait to try it. Do you think it would work well with raspberries? If so then this may be the dish of the year for me…..
Beautifully made. They look delish! I’m with you on the butter, shortening kinda frightens me.
My husband doesn’t eat blueberries, but I do have some fresh blackberries (pesticide free, I believe) right from a farm that I can use.
Lisa-
I bet that will be amazing, definitely report back!
-Jamie
Mine are baking right now! Yummy! I must be going blind, the lemon zest? I added it with the blueberries, is that right?
June-
You are not blind! I totallly missed it in the directions. I have added it to the crumb dough once and to the berries once; I prefer it in the crumbd dough. Thanks so much for pointing out that error, it is now fixed! Have a delish day and weekend!
-Jamie
Thanks for answering! They are now cooling, my fingers drumming:)
June-
Definitely let me know how you like them! I found they tasted better the following when the flavors had a chance to meld a little!
-Jamie
These look beautiful! So perfect for summer. :-)
yay for blueberries! making these now. or in a little bit, well…this weekend for sure!
I have a serious love of blueberries in desserts…especially when combined with lemon. And so these bars totally appeal to me. Thankfully here in NYC we have fruit vendors on the street who sell berries at super cheap prices!
Why do u do this to me?? I’m trying to diet in here!
That looks sooooo yummy and inviting!! and awesome pictures!
Prerna-
Make them and then eat one or five…then pass the rest along to friends and fam!
-Jamie
i know, what’s with the exorbitant prices of berries these days? anyway, i think your blueberry crumb bars look really good! so good that i’d want to stick my hand in through the screen… ow!
These are two of my boyfriends favorite flavors and I actually have fresh blueberries at home that need to be eaten up. I think Ill make these this weekend! Thanks for sharing :)