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Blackberry Crumb Bars

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.

Blackberry Crumb Bars

Yield 16 2-inch squares
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

These buttery blackberry crumb bars are made with brown sugar, vanilla and fresh blackberries. An easy dessert bar recipe for summer!

Blackberry Crumb Bars

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Whisk together 3/4 cup flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

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    34 Comments on “Blackberry Crumb Bars”

  1. Those blackberries look perfectly ripe! They look very ‘at home’ amidst all the crumbs! Can’t wait to try this!

  2. 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. Why have blackberries left my market?! I don’t think ever saw them, to be honest. I hate that 🙁

  4. This looks similar to one I saw Bill Granger bake the other day, Jen – I can’t wait to try it too!

  5. 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. 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. WOW! those look amazing! I could imagine a scoop of vanilla ice cream going really well with these!

  8. These look great!

  9. 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. hmmmn! i would like one of those right now. wonederful!

  11. Sounds SOOOOO good! I just love blackberries, such a great treat. THanks for sharing!

  12. These blackberries look so yummy! I love blackberries anyway I can get them and this is something I cannot wait to try!

  13. I want to bite the screen. Love the closeup.

  14. 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. 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. 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. 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. Ahh if only blackberries weren’t so darn expensive!

  19. These bars look amazingly good!

  20. 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.

  21. Thanks again, everyone! 🙂

  22. Wow! those look soo good! I must make them so I can try them!
    yummy! thanks!

  23. that first photo made my mouth water—I LOVE blackberries.

  24. They look so delicious, gorgeous color! I’ll have a slice with my tea, please!

  25. Jennifer, maggie, & Reeni – thanks! 🙂

  26. 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

  27. 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!

  28. 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!

  29. Bakerslove, I hope you like them!

    Jacque, your version sounds tasty. 🙂

  30. 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.

  31. Berries must be in everything

  32. I bet they taste as they look, really great. I love crumb bars. Its something that I would put on my guests table. Lovely, Thanks for sharing.

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