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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Old-Fashioned Blueberry Crumb Bars


This recipe has been floating in the ether for years. I first saw these bars on the wonderful blog
Nook and Cranny and determined I would make them as soon as possible. That was several months ago. Timely I'm not. Determined I am. I've made a single change to the base recipe which I'm told first appeared on All Recipes. You'll see that I've substituted some brown sugar for a portion of the white in an effort to make the bars more flavorful. I think it worked. If you use frozen berries do not thaw before using. Here's the recipe.

Blueberry Crumb Bars

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup + 1/4 cup granulated sugar, divided use
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup cold butter (2 sticks or 8 ounces)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Zest and juice of one lemon
4 cups blueberries
4 teaspoons cornstarch
Optional: Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions:
1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9 x 13 baking pan.
2) In a medium bowl whisk together 3 cups of flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut in butter until mixture is in pieces no larger than a pea. Mix in egg and vanilla extract. Dough will be crumbly but stick together when squeezed. Pat half of the dough into the pan.
3) In another bowl, mix reserved 1/4 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Add blueberries and gently toss them to coat. Pour blueberry mixture on top of the dough in pan. Then crumble remainder of dough evenly over surface of berries.
4) Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the top is slightly browned. Cool completely, then cut into squares. Dust with powdered sugar if using. Can be refrigerated for several days. Yield: 15 bars.

47 comments:

  1. I'm a terrible baker but this looks so good. On my weekend to do list!

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  2. Mariana, the bar cookies are really easy to do. I know you can do it. Be brave:-).

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  3. Got to try this, I'm glad you have lots of blueberry recipes and this one looks very tempting...

    P.S. the music is perfect too

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  4. I have made a similar bar cookie and they were so good! These have more blueberries so that is a big plus! Perfect with morning coffee, or anytime, for that matter!

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  5. Those look so moist and delicious. I am loving all of your blueberry recipes this week!

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  6. Those look delicious. I will be trying those soon. Thanks for sharing, I love blueberries.
    Maryrose
    PS Love the song too.

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  7. Mary,
    You are a fabulous cook! I will try these and hope mine can look that good! Cindy

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  8. Ahhh, another temptingly delicious dessert to try! Diet or not diet, I will try this! :)

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  9. The bluebery bars look delicious. I wish I can make some but fresh blue berries, cranberries, strawberries and cherries are too expensive over here.

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  10. Blueberry prices have just come down in our market - time to use them and this is a perfect way to showcase their wonderful flavor.

    We had a large blueberry bush near the house that grew bigger by the year and finally, last year, moved it to a new location. Sadly it didn't like it's move. We bought new bushes and have our fingers crossed we'll get berries this first year - but only if we beat the birds to them.
    Sam

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  11. Gosh Mary. Just when I think you cannot top your last recipe, out pops up another gem. Some thick double cream with this gorgeous slice and I am in heaven.

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  12. These sound so easy to make, and I love blueberries, Ill have to try this. I am enjoying all your recent blueberry recipes!

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  13. You're on a blueberry roll -- these look good -- may have to try them but probably later rather than sooner.

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  14. Looks delicious, and blueberries are healthy too.

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  15. I can taste the butter wow it looks perfect. What perfect pictures.

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  16. I'll have to make this for hubby. He loves blueberries.

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  17. Oh, Mary! This looks delicious! I wish I was your next door neighbor!!!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  18. Alright, I may pop if I don't get some blueberries soon! These sound awesome!

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  19. Oh my, this is on my list for my fresh blueberries a month or so from now! Beautiful Mary!

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  20. They look delicious! Great pic..I am copying the recipe..I have fresh blueberries..

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  21. Hello! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment for me.:)
    I love your recipes! I'm going to look around your blog and make sure I follow it as well. I love making new goodies for my kiddos and hubby. :)
    Blessings,
    Sandra

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  22. Sandra, I'm so glad to hear you're joinf the other regulars who visit here. I really am delighted.

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  23. These blueberry crumb bars sound so good! I've enjoyed reading all of your blueberry recipes and was inspired to get a bunch of blueberries!

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  24. I love these bars and just happen to have some blueberries to use up. They look wonderful Mary.

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  25. these are amazing!!! thanks for sharing... :)

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  26. Oh my, these look so tempting! I'm loving all the blueberry recipes you have!

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  27. Perfect as it is the season, in just a few weeks I will have a ton of buleberries and am always looking for recipes. I havent tried this one yet-but I will and cannot wait!!! YUM!

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  28. These look like they should be on the cover of a magazine! Beautiful and I'm sure delicious!

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  29. Another wonderful recipe and a beautiful photo. Love bar cookies and can't wait to try this one.

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  30. I'll eat the whole pan. No need to worry about clean up.

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  31. That looks incredible... ooooh how I wish I had that for my coffee tomorrow morning!

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  32. These look DELICIOUS!!!
    Karen

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  33. Hubby will absolutely love these! He loves anything blueberry and these look so very good! I've printed the recipe and will try them soon, as a surprise for him. I see that I need to do a lot more exercising, if I plan to visit your blog! LOL

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  34. Those looks delicious, I love blueberries too. Thanks for posting!

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  35. Ok Mary, i am on a mission to gather blueberries. Your offerings are to delicious to resist!

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  36. These bars look wonderful. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I'm bookmarking it right now.

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  37. That looks like a nice way to enjoy blueberries! ...mmm...crumbs...mmm...

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  38. I LOVE all your blueberry posts. I don't know what I want to try first!

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  39. OK these look even better. Wish you did a rhubarb adaptation so i could figure out what went wrong with mine. In the meantime I suppose these will suffice. ;)

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  40. I made these bars for my kid's teachers - they were so delicious and a HUGE hit with everyone. Thanks for the great recipe.

    P.S. You don't mention where to add the vanilla so I just added it to the crust, is that right?

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  41. Pam, thanks for catching the fly ball. I've corrected the recipe. I'm really glad you enjoyed the bars.

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  42. Wow. These are beautiful. They look so tempting. I have blueberries in my freezer...I...must...resist! :)

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  43. Just wanted to tell you that I made this dish on kid's birthday and it was amazing! Thank you so much for the recipe, it is one we will be enjoying again and again!

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  44. Can I use blueberries in can. It's sad to say that Real blueberries are not available where I live. 😥

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  45. If they are well drained that would be OK. Frozen berries, however, would be a better option.

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  46. These look so good I'm planning to use frozen berries any tips to remember and can I make these couple of days before serving any tips

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