Description
These Mixed Berry Crumble Bars combine a buttery oat crust with a luscious medley of blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries, topped with a crisp crumble. Perfectly balanced with lemon zest and juice for a refreshing twist, these bars offer a delightful blend of tart and sweet flavors, ideal for a summertime dessert or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Crumble
- 1 cup butter (salted, room temperature)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 2 cups rolled oats (whole, gluten-free)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Berry Filling
- 1 pint blueberries
- 6 oz strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 6 oz blackberries
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature before baking the bars.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, packed brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Using a handheld mixer on medium speed, blend these ingredients for 1-2 minutes until well combined and creamy.
- Add Dry Ingredients: To the butter mixture, add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined.
- Incorporate Oats: Gently mix in the rolled oats using a spatula or the mixer on low speed until the mixture is evenly blended. The dough will be a bit thick and crumbly, depending on the butter’s softness.
- Prepare Berry Filling: In a separate large bowl, toss together the blueberries, sliced strawberries, and blackberries. Sprinkle with cornstarch and granulated sugar, then add lemon juice and zest. Toss until the berries are evenly coated and the mixture thickens slightly.
- Assemble Bars: Spray a 9×9 inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Press half of the oat crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the dish to form the crust. Evenly spread the berry mixture over this crust, then sprinkle the remaining crumble over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top crumble turns golden brown and the berries are bubbly.
- Cool: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely for at least 3-4 hours to set so the filling firms up.
- Serve: Cut into 16 bars and serve. Best enjoyed within 24 hours; can be stored and consumed within 2-3 days though the crust may soften over time.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter to ensure proper mixing of the crumbly dough.
- You can substitute gluten-free flour and oats to make the bars gluten-free.
- Make sure to let the bars cool thoroughly to allow the filling to set.
- These bars are best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat slightly if desired.
- For a zestier flavor, increase the lemon zest by half a teaspoon.
