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.
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 & 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided into 1 cup and 3/4 cup
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided into 1/4 teaspoons
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 10 ounces blackberries
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. Butter and flour paper, and tap out excess.
Whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add 1 cup of flour and mix with a fork until moist crumbs form. Refrigerate.
Whisk together 3/4 cup flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until ligh and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well. Reduce mixer speed to low, and mix in flour mixture.
Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle with blackberries. Then, sprinkle with chilled topping. Bake 40-45 minutes, until golden. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with moist crumbs attached. Cool completely in pan. Then, remove from pan using the overhanging parchment paper. Cut into squares.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Everyday Food.
September 17th, 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!
September 17th, 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…
September 17th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Why have blackberries left my market?! I don’t think ever saw them, to be honest. I hate that
September 18th, 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!
September 18th, 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!
September 18th, 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.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:18 am
WOW! those look amazing! I could imagine a scoop of vanilla ice cream going really well with these!
September 18th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
These look great!
September 18th, 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!
September 18th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
hmmmn! i would like one of those right now. wonederful!
September 18th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Sounds SOOOOO good! I just love blackberries, such a great treat. THanks for sharing!
September 18th, 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!
September 18th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I want to bite the screen. Love the closeup.
September 18th, 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.
September 19th, 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.
September 19th, 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!
September 19th, 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!
September 20th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Ahh if only blackberries weren’t so darn expensive!
September 20th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
These bars look amazingly good!
September 20th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Looks SO good!
September 21st, 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.
September 21st, 2008 at 11:20 am
Thanks again, everyone!
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Wow! those look soo good! I must make them so I can try them!
yummy! thanks!
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 am
that first photo made my mouth water—I LOVE blackberries.
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
They look so delicious, gorgeous color! I’ll have a slice with my tea, please!
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Jennifer, maggie, & Reeni – thanks!
September 24th, 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
September 24th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Thanks, zestycook!
September 25th, 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!
September 26th, 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!
September 29th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Bakerslove, I hope you like them!
Jacque, your version sounds tasty.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I am new to your blog but I’m completely and totally smitten! I made these @ 6:30 this morning before work and were they ever worth getting up for!
Love, love, love your site and cannot wait to try more of your delicious looking recipes.