The Juiciest Blueberry Crumb Bars Recipe for Summer Sweetness

Sweet summer memories flood back when biting into these delightful blueberry crumb bars that burst with juicy fruit and buttery goodness.

Memories of childhood picnics dance across my taste buds with each crumbly bite.

Plump berries nestle between layers of tender, golden crust that practically melts in your mouth.

Homemade desserts like these connect us to cherished moments and simple pleasures.

Packed with fresh blueberries and a delicate, crisp topping, these bars offer pure comfort in every slice.

Whip up this easy recipe and watch smiles bloom around the table.

Why Blueberry Crumb Bars Are A Treat

• Craft Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and casual parties where everyone loves a sweet treat that's simple to serve and share.
• Beginner Baker Friendly: Requires basic mixing skills with no complex techniques, making it an ideal recipe for novice bakers wanting to build kitchen confidence.
• Versatile Seasonal Delight: Showcases fresh blueberries at their peak, allowing you to transform summer's bounty into a delicious crumbly bar that celebrates seasonal produce.
• Quick Prep, Big Reward: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean you can go from mixing to enjoying in under an hour, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.

What Goes Into Blueberry Crumb Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure for the bars that provides a sturdy base and crumbly texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden color in the crust and crumble.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps bind the dry ingredients together.
• Egg: Adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Helps the crust rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt, Cinnamon: Enhance the overall flavor of the crust.

• Blueberries: The star ingredient that adds natural sweetness and juicy bursts of flavor.
• Sugar: Helps to sweeten and balance the tartness of the blueberries.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the fruit filling and prevents excess moisture.

• Powdered Sugar: Can be sprinkled on top for a decorative finish.

Steps To Make Blueberry Crumb Bars

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 375°F. Grab a 9×13 inch pan and coat it lightly with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Crumbly Dough Base

• Sugar
• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon

Slice cold butter into small pieces and add an egg. Work the mixture with your hands or a pastry cutter until it resembles coarse, crumbly texture.

Step 3: Form First Dough Layer

Gently press half of the crumbly dough into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating an even foundation for your bars.

Step 4: Prepare Blueberry Filling

• Sugar
• Cornstarch

Carefully fold fresh blueberries into the sugar mixture, ensuring they’re evenly coated without breaking.

Step 5: Add Blueberry Layer

Spread the blueberry mixture smoothly across the first dough layer, creating a vibrant fruity surface.

Step 6: Top with Remaining Dough

Sprinkle the remaining crumbly dough over the blueberry layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. Look for a golden-brown surface indicating the bars are done.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares. This helps them set and makes cutting easier.

Tips That Help With Blueberry Crumb Bars

• Choose ripe, fresh blueberries for the most intense and sweet flavor in your bars.
• Ensure butter is cold when cutting into the flour mixture to create a flakier, more tender crumb texture.
• Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to prevent crumbling and help them set properly.
• Dust with powdered sugar just before serving for an elegant, professional-looking finish.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Ways To Switch Up Blueberry Crumb Bars

• Raspberry Remix: Replace blueberries with fresh raspberries for a tangy, vibrant version that bursts with summer flavor.
• Lemon Zest Crunch: Add lemon zest to the crumb mixture and sprinkle extra on top for a bright, citrusy undertone that complements the sweet base.
• Almond Crumble: Mix chopped almonds into the crumb topping and use almond extract in the dough for a nutty, rich profile that elevates the classic recipe.
• Peach Paradise: Swap blueberries with diced fresh peaches and add a hint of vanilla extract to create a soft, warm seasonal dessert bar.

Top Pairings For Blueberry Crumb Bars

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: The cold, smooth vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, crumbly blueberry bars, creating a heavenly dessert experience that balances sweet and tangy flavors.
• Complement with Chamomile Tea: The delicate, floral notes of chamomile tea softens the richness of the blueberry bars, offering a soothing and light accompaniment that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Match with Lemon Sorbet: A zesty lemon sorbet cuts through the sweetness of the bars, adding a refreshing citrus twist that enhances the blueberry's natural brightness and provides a palate-cleansing finish.

How To Store Blueberry Crumb Bars Right

• Refrigerate: Store cooled blueberry crumb bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Wrap individual bars or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350°F, place bars on a baking sheet, and warm for 5-7 minutes until heated through. This method helps restore the crispy crumb topping.
• Microwave Quick Option: Heat individual bars for 10-15 seconds on a microwave-safe plate.

Blueberry Crumb Bars FAQs Made Easy

• Are blueberries the best fruit for this recipe?

Blueberries work perfectly because they’re sweet, have a beautiful color, and hold their shape well during baking, creating delicious pockets of fruity flavor in the crumb bars.

• Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen blueberries. Just don’t thaw them first, and add them directly from the freezer to prevent color bleeding and maintain their texture.

• How do I know when the crumb bars are fully baked?

Look for a slightly golden-brown top and set edges. The bars should look dry and firm, not wet or soggy in the middle when you gently shake the pan.

Blueberry Crumb Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible blueberry crumb bars deliver summer’s sweetest essence with buttery crust and juicy berries nestled between crumbly layers. Homemade goodness beckons you to savor each delightful bite of this classic American dessert.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Blueberry Filling:

• 4 cups fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) white sugar
• 3 teaspoons (9 grams) cornstarch

Crust and Topping:

• 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 grams) white sugar
• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 375°F and coating a 9×13 inch pan with grease.
2. Combine dry ingredients including sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
3. Incorporate butter and egg into the dry mixture, working until the texture becomes crumbly and slightly clumped.
4. Carefully press half of the crumbly dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a uniform base layer.
5. Create the blueberry filling by mixing sugar and cornstarch, then gently folding fresh blueberries into the mixture to prevent crushing.
6. Distribute the blueberry mixture uniformly across the first dough layer, ensuring even coverage.
7. Sprinkle and loosely crumble the remaining dough over the blueberry layer, allowing some berries to peek through.
8. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and bubbling edges.
9. Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into square servings, which helps the bars set and makes clean slicing easier.

Notes

• Chill the dough before pressing into the pan to prevent sticking and ensure a more even, compact crust.
• Use fresh or frozen blueberries, but if using frozen, do not thaw them to prevent excess moisture and maintain the bar’s texture.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
• Add a zesty twist by mixing in some lemon zest with the blueberry filling to enhance the fruity flavor and brighten the overall taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg