Ever since I made that Berry Tart, I’ve been wanting to bake something else with blackberries. Raspberries seem to be my berry of choice, but those blackberries in that tart really had me wanting to stray a bit from the usual.
Of course, berry crumb bars don’t exactly qualify as straying from the usual. This isn’t groundbreaking territory. But, it’s one of those desserts that never seems to go wrong.
I wasn’t expecting any surprises with this recipe, but I did get a little one. The bottom layer, which I had assumed would be mostly crunchy like a cookie base, was not like I expected it all. It was soft and dense, like cake.
I’m not sure I like one way more than the other, but it was a break from the norm. It seemed to dress these up immediately, taking them from a low-key dessert to a dinner table dessert. A little (or big) dollop of ice cream, and you’ve got a wonderful summer dessert.
31 responses so far ↓
1 Samantha // Sep 17, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Those blackberries look perfectly ripe! They look very ‘at home’ amidst all the crumbs! Can’t wait to try this!
2 lizzie // Sep 17, 2008 at 9:23 pm
your photographs can make even a person who hates to bake want to cook one of these recipes!! fortunately, i love to bake, so its not very hard to convince me! anyways, i can’t wait to give this one a whirl…
3 Amanda // Sep 17, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Why have blackberries left my market?! I don’t think ever saw them, to be honest. I hate that
4 Patricia Scarpin // Sep 18, 2008 at 7:27 am
This looks similar to one I saw Bill Granger bake the other day, Jen - I can’t wait to try it too!
5 emielli // Sep 18, 2008 at 7:45 am
This looks delicious! I’ve never had blackberries before (I don’t know why), so maybe I`ll end up creating this recipe sometime soon!
6 dawn // Sep 18, 2008 at 8:15 am
I’m sad to see the berry season go.
I think you are a wonderful baker. You inspire me. And your pictures are always perfect.
7 dannyjay // Sep 18, 2008 at 10:18 am
WOW! those look amazing! I could imagine a scoop of vanilla ice cream going really well with these!
8 Nan (and Jim) // Sep 18, 2008 at 12:09 pm
These look great!
9 Maria // Sep 18, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Glad you did blackberries! They are my favorite! I better find some at the market on Saturday so I can make this dessert. Looks to die for!
10 Meeta // Sep 18, 2008 at 2:51 pm
hmmmn! i would like one of those right now. wonederful!
11 Bakerslove // Sep 18, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Sounds SOOOOO good! I just love blackberries, such a great treat. THanks for sharing!
12 Personlalized Baby Bags // Sep 18, 2008 at 6:44 pm
These blackberries look so yummy! I love blackberries anyway I can get them and this is something I cannot wait to try!
13 Lisa magicsprinkles // Sep 18, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I want to bite the screen. Love the closeup.
14 jennifer // Sep 18, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Thanks, everyone! For those of you who try the recipe, be sure to let me know how you like these.
Amanda, our berries, like the entire produce section, are hit or miss. I took advantage of good ones to make these bars.
dawn, thank you so much! You’re very sweet.
dannyjay, I think ice cream would be near perfection with these.
15 Kim // Sep 19, 2008 at 5:53 am
Jennifer, I am ashamed to say I have not eaten one blackberry this summer. Cake or a bar, I’m in as these look so good.
16 Anita // Sep 19, 2008 at 10:00 am
My boyfriend is a huge fan of blackberries so I’ve learned to bake a lot of things with them! Unfortunately now it means sometimes there are fights over whether the berries should be eaten right away or used in baking!
17 Katelyn // Sep 19, 2008 at 12:17 pm
These pictures look wonderful! Your description makes the recipe sound like the perfect mix of a crumble and a cobbler; no more choosing between the two!
18 l.o.v.e.l.y. // Sep 20, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Ahh if only blackberries weren’t so darn expensive!
19 Sara // Sep 20, 2008 at 1:15 pm
These bars look amazingly good!
20 Katrina // Sep 20, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Looks SO good!
21 Nick // Sep 21, 2008 at 10:45 am
I just bought raspberries for $1 a container. This would be great with raspberries I would imagine, but something about the darker berries seems to add a deeper flavor. I’m sure these turned out great but I don’t think it ever matters with your recipes because your photos are just stunning.
22 jennifer // Sep 21, 2008 at 11:20 am
Thanks again, everyone!
23 Jennifer // Sep 22, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Wow! those look soo good! I must make them so I can try them!
yummy! thanks!
24 maggie // Sep 23, 2008 at 7:49 am
that first photo made my mouth water—I LOVE blackberries.
25 Reeni // Sep 23, 2008 at 2:58 pm
They look so delicious, gorgeous color! I’ll have a slice with my tea, please!
26 jennifer // Sep 23, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Jennifer, maggie, & Reeni - thanks!
27 zestycook // Sep 24, 2008 at 10:37 am
WOW - I am ll over this… these look amazing and I have to agree - throw a bit of vanilla ice cream and I would be smiling from ear to ear… great work.
Great blog… I am addicted. I read everyday
Zestycook
28 jennifer // Sep 24, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Thanks, zestycook!
29 Bakerslove // Sep 25, 2008 at 1:38 pm
WOW! Those bars look so yummy! We have a lot of wild blackberries in our area, I will give your bars a try. Thanks for sharing!
30 Jacque // Sep 26, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I made a version of this bar, except I subbed chocolate/toffee candy for the blackberries. I was also surprised that the base was more cake-like.
Yours look absolutely delicious with the blackberries!
31 jennifer // Sep 29, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Bakerslove, I hope you like them!
Jacque, your version sounds tasty.
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