These simple blueberry crumble bars are a delicious dessert, featuring a buttery crumb topping and a sweet blueberry filling.
This easy recipe for blueberry bars is perfect for home cooks looking for a delightful treat. You’ll find them incredibly satisfying and surprisingly straightforward to prepare.
Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro looking for a quick win, these blueberry crumble bars hit all the right notes. They’re designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss, making them an ideal addition to any meal or gathering. Let’s dive into the details of creating this delightful dessert.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Easy Blueberry Crumble Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 bars 1x
Description
These simple blueberry crumble bars are a delicious dessert, featuring a buttery crumb topping and a sweet blueberry filling. This easy recipe for blueberry bars is perfect for home cooks looking for a delightful treat. You’ll find them incredibly satisfying and surprisingly straightforward to prepare.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined and a crumbly mixture forms. It should look like coarse crumbs with some larger clumps.
3. Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Use the back of a spoon or your clean hands to create a firm, compact base.
4. In a medium bowl, gently combine the blueberries (fresh or frozen), the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice (if using). Stir until the blueberries are evenly coated.
5. Pour the blueberry mixture evenly over the pressed crust in the baking pan. Spread it gently to cover the entire surface. Then, sprinkle the remaining one-third of the crumb mixture over the blueberry filling. Do not press this top layer down; you want it to remain crumbly for that classic crumble texture.
6. Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the blueberry filling is bubbly around the edges.
7. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. Allow the bars to cool for at least 30 minutes, or preferably longer, before attempting to slice them.
8. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and slice into squares or rectangles of your desired size. Serve and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
Keywords: blueberry, crumble, bars, dessert, easy, baking, fruit, sweet, treat, homemade
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
You’re going to adore these blueberry crumble bars for so many reasons. First, they are incredibly straightforward to make, perfect for anyone who wants a delicious homemade dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe is ideal for busy parents, new bakers, or anyone looking for a reliable, crowd-pleasing treat. The combination of a tender, buttery crust, a sweet and slightly tart blueberry filling, and a crunchy crumble topping creates a textural and flavor experience that’s hard to beat.
These bars are versatile enough for almost any occasion. Serve them as a comforting dessert after a family dinner, bring them to a potluck, or pack them in lunchboxes for a special treat. They’re also fantastic for brunches or as an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or tea. The simple ingredients and clear steps ensure a successful bake every time, making you feel like a baking superstar even on your busiest days.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start baking is a great way to ensure a smooth and stress-free process. This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh or frozen blueberries, so you likely have most of what you need already. The beauty of these bars lies in their simplicity and the way a few basic ingredients come together to create something truly special.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, but recommended for brightness)
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap out the unsalted butter for salted butter; just be sure to omit the 1/4 teaspoon of added salt in the recipe. If you don’t have fresh blueberries, frozen ones work perfectly well – no need to thaw them beforehand. You can also experiment with other berries like raspberries or a mixed berry blend for a different flavor profile, keeping the cornstarch amount the same. If you don’t have lemon juice, a teaspoon of lemon zest can add a similar bright note to the filling.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
One of the best aspects of this recipe is how quickly it comes together, making it perfect for those moments when you need a delicious dessert without a lot of waiting around.
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Baking time: 45-50 minutes
- Cooling time: 30 minutes (minimum, for best slicing)
- Total estimated time: 1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes
While the baking time is a bit longer, the hands-on prep is minimal, allowing you to get these bars into the oven and enjoy the wonderful aroma filling your kitchen. The cooling time is important for the bars to set properly, ensuring clean slices and a perfect texture.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Making these blueberry crumble bars is a straightforward process, and following these steps will lead you to a delicious outcome. Pay attention to the visual cues to ensure each stage is just right.
- Prepare Your Baking Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This parchment paper sling makes it much easier to lift the cooled bars out of the pan for clean slicing.
- Create the Crumb Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined and a crumbly mixture forms. It should look like coarse crumbs with some larger clumps.
- Form the Base Layer: Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Use the back of a spoon or your clean hands to create a firm, compact base. This will be the delicious buttery crust for your bars.
- Prepare the Blueberry Filling: In a medium bowl, gently combine the blueberries (fresh or frozen), the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice (if using). Stir until the blueberries are evenly coated. The cornstarch is key here to thicken the filling and prevent it from being too runny.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the blueberry mixture evenly over the pressed crust in the baking pan. Spread it gently to cover the entire surface. Then, sprinkle the remaining one-third of the crumb mixture over the blueberry filling. Don’t press this top layer down; you want it to remain crumbly for that classic crumble texture.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the blueberry filling is bubbly around the edges. You’ll notice the kitchen filling with a sweet, fruity aroma.
- Cool Before Slicing: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. This is a crucial step! Allow the bars to cool for at least 30 minutes, or preferably longer, before attempting to slice them. Cooling allows the filling to set, ensuring neat, beautiful bars.
- Slice and Serve: Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and slice into squares or rectangles of your desired size. Serve and enjoy!
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
These blueberry crumble bars are fantastic on their own, but there are many ways to customize them and make them even more special for your family and friends.
For a fun twist, consider mixing in other berries with the blueberries. A handful of raspberries or blackberries can add another layer of flavor and color. If you’re a fan of citrus, adding a teaspoon of lemon zest to the crumb mixture can brighten up the whole dessert. For a nuttier flavor, you could stir in a quarter cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble topping before baking.
When it comes to serving, these bars are incredibly versatile. They’re perfect for a casual family dessert, but they also make a wonderful addition to a brunch spread or a potluck. For a truly indulgent experience, serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds a pretty touch. For kids, these bars are a hit as an after-school snack or a lunchbox treat. They hold up well, making them easy to pack and enjoy on the go.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple recipe, a few common mistakes can impact the final result. Knowing what to watch out for can help you achieve perfect blueberry crumble bars every time.
One frequent issue is not cooling the bars completely before slicing. This is probably the most important step for clean, neat bars. If you cut them while they’re still warm, the blueberry filling will be runny, and the bars will fall apart. Patience is key here; let them cool for at least 30 minutes, or even longer, for the best results.
Another common slip-up is overmixing the crumb mixture. When combining the dry and wet ingredients for the crust and topping, mix only until just combined and a crumbly texture forms. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough rather than tender crust. A light hand is best for a delicate crumble.
Finally, using too much or too little cornstarch in the filling can affect its consistency. Too little, and the filling will be watery; too much, and it can become gummy. Stick to the recommended 2 tablespoons for 4 cups of blueberries to get that perfect, slightly thickened, jam-like consistency. If your blueberries are particularly juicy, you might add an extra half tablespoon of cornstarch.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
These blueberry crumble bars are fantastic for making ahead and storing, which makes them even more convenient for busy households. Proper storage ensures they retain their delicious flavor and texture.
Once the bars have completely cooled, you can store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you live in a very warm or humid climate, or if you want them to last longer,
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
