One Perfect Bite: Mixed Berry Crumble Bars

Monday, June 15, 2015

Mixed Berry Crumble Bars

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is another simple summer recipe. These fruit bars are different than most because no oatmeal is added to the batter that's used to form their base and topping.. The recipe is easy to follow, but I do have two cautions to share with you. First, exert some pressure when you form the base layer. Cutting will be easier if you have something firm to cut into. Second, let the cookies cool completely before you cutting them into bars or squares. This pastry is buttery and packed with amazing fruit flavor when fresh berries are used to make them. While I used a combination of raspberries and blackberries to make the bars I photographed for this post, any berry, singly or in compatible combinations can be used. I found the recipe here on, a new to me, site called iSaveA2Z. I spent some serious time browsing their recipes and over time will be featuring some unique dishes and desserts I found there. I know those of you who try this recipe will be pleased. They are a bit messy to eat, but the bars are absolutely delicious. Here is how they are made.

Mixed Berry Crumble Bars...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of iSaveA2Z

Ingredients:
1 cup of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of baking powder
3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 cup of cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 egg
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of salt
zest from 2 lemons
cooking spray
For the blackberry filling:
4 cups of fresh or frozen blackberries
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 dish with non stick cooking spray. Set aside.
2) In a medium bowl, mix together sugar, baking powder, flour, salt and lemon zest.
3) In a separate small bowl, whisk together egg and vanilla until well combined.
4) Using a food processor, blend flour mixture, egg and vanilla mixture and butter until dough is a crumbly consistency.
5) Sprinkle half of dough in greased pan evenly and pat it down to form crust.
6) For filling, mix cornstarch and sugar in a large bowl until combined. Then gently stir in blackberries. Spread blackberry mixture evenly over crust and then sprinkle with the remaining dough.
7) Bake for 45 minutes or until top is just browned. Cool completely and cut into squares. Serve with a small scoop of ice cream if desired. Yield: 12 servings.