Blackberry Pie Bars Recipe

Introduction

Blackberry pie bars offer a delightful twist on traditional pie with a buttery crust and juicy berry filling in every bite. They’re easy to make and perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a sweet treat any time.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh blackberries
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (cold)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Then add the egg and mix until fully combined.
3. Step 3: Press two-thirds of this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create the crust layer.
4. Step 4: In another bowl, toss the blackberries with brown sugar until evenly coated. Spread this berry mixture evenly over the crust in the pan.
5. Step 5: Crumble the remaining crust mixture over the blackberries to form the topping.
6. Step 6: Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the bars are golden brown. Allow them to cool completely before slicing into bars.

Tips & Variations

• Use frozen blackberries if fresh ones aren’t available, but thaw and drain excess liquid to prevent soggy bars.
• Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the berry mixture for a bright, citrusy flavor.
• For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts on top before baking.

Storage

Store blackberry pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat briefly in the microwave or enjoy chilled.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen blackberries instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen blackberries work well. Just be sure to thaw and drain any excess juice before using to keep the crust from becoming soggy.

How do I prevent the crust from getting too soft?

Using cold butter and not overmixing the dough helps keep the crust crumbly and firm. Also, pressing the crust firmly into the pan ensures a solid base that holds up well under the berries.

Blackberry Pie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 151 reviews

These Blackberry Pie Bars combine a buttery, crumbly crust with juicy, sweet-tart blackberries for a delightful dessert that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion. The bars feature a rich, tender base topped with a fresh blackberry filling and finished with a crumbly topping, baked to golden perfection.

• Author: lucas
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Crust and Crumble Topping

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter (cold)
• 1 large egg

Filling

• 2 cups fresh blackberries
• ½ cup brown sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy removal of the bars after baking.
2. Make the Crust Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Add the cold unsalted butter and cut it into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture has a coarse crumb texture. Incorporate the egg and mix thoroughly until fully combined to form the dough.
3. Form the Crust Base: Take about two-thirds of the dough mixture and press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan, creating a solid, even crust layer to support the filling.
4. Prepare the Blackberry Filling: In a separate bowl, gently toss the fresh blackberries with the brown sugar until evenly coated. This helps sweeten and slightly macerate the berries for a flavorful filling.
5. Layer the Filling: Spread the blackberry and brown sugar mixture evenly over the pressed crust base, ensuring that the berries cover the entire surface.
6. Add the Crumble Topping: Crumble the remaining one-third of the dough mixture over the blackberry layer. This will create a delicious crumbly topping once baked.
7. Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the filling is bubbly and set.
8. Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. Once cool, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and slice into squares to serve.

Notes

• Ensure the butter is cold to achieve a crumbly, tender crust texture.
• If blackberries are too tart, add a bit more brown sugar to the filling.
• For easier slicing, chill the bars in the refrigerator before cutting.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Fresh or frozen blackberries can be used; if using frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid before mixing with sugar.

Keywords: blackberry pie bars, blackberry dessert, berry bars, crumble topping, baked bars, fruit bars