Description

Delight in these homemade Blackberry Pie Bars featuring a buttery crumbly crust, a tangy and sweet blackberry filling enhanced with lemon and cinnamon, and a golden crumble topping. Perfect for dessert, snacks, or gatherings, these bars combine the best of a classic pie in a convenient bar form.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust and Topping

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon 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 teaspoons vanilla extract

Filling

1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 cups fresh blackberries
4 teaspoons cornstarch
Juice of one lemon

Instructions

Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
Make the Dough: In a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and lemon zest. Pulse a few times to mix. Add the cold unsalted butter slices, egg, and vanilla extract and pulse until the dough becomes crumbly but can hold together when pressed.
Form the Crust: Transfer half of the crumbly dough and firmly pat it into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating an even layer that will serve as the crust.
Prepare the Blackberry Filling: In a medium bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice until combined. Gently fold in the fresh blackberries, making sure not to crush them.
Assemble Layers: Spread the blackberry mixture evenly over the crust in the pan. Then crumble the remaining dough over the berry layer, covering it as much as possible.
Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and set. Be careful not to overbake to avoid burning the bottom crust.
Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Store the bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Notes

Ensure the butter is cold to achieve a crumbly texture in the dough.
Do not overmix the filling to avoid breaking down the blackberries excessively.
Cooling completely before cutting helps the bars hold their shape.
Store bars at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
For an extra touch, dust bars with powdered sugar before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Blackberry Pie Bars, berry dessert bars, easy fruit bars, crumbly crust bars, homemade blackberry dessert, summer berry bars