Blueberry Lemon Crumble Bars

$Fresh blueberries are the star of this recipe. You need 2 cups of ripe, juicy blueberries. I often adjust the amount based on their sweetness. The sweetness helps balance the tartness of the lemon. You will need 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and the zest of 1 lemon. The juice adds a fresh tang. The zest boosts the flavor, making the bars bright and lively. The dry mix includes: - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour - ½ cup rolled oats - ¼ cup granulated sugar - ½ cup brown sugar, packed - ½ teaspoon baking powder - ¼ teaspoon baking soda - ¼ teaspoon salt This blend gives the bars their structure and texture. The oats add a nice chewiness, while the sugars provide sweetness. You need ½ cup of cold unsalted butter, cubed, and 1 large egg. The cold butter helps create a crumbly texture. The egg binds everything together, making the bars sturdy. Lastly, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. This ingredient rounds out the flavors. It adds a warm, sweet note that pairs well with the fruit and lemon. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper. If you use parchment, leave some paper hanging over the sides. This helps when you lift the bars out later. In a medium bowl, mix the fresh blueberries with lemon juice, lemon zest, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Stir gently until the blueberries are well coated. Set this aside for about 10 minutes. This step makes the blueberries juicy and sweet. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Use a whisk to mix these dry ingredients well. This ensures an even flavor throughout your bars. Add 1/2 cup of cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry mix. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend it in. You want the mixture to look like coarse crumbs. This crumbly texture gives the bars their signature topping. Take 1 cup of the crumble mixture and set it aside. Press the remaining crumble evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Next, spread the blueberry mixture over this base. Crumble the reserved topping evenly over the blueberries. This creates a delicious topping for every bite. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. You know they are done when the top is golden brown and the blueberries bubble. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven. Let it cool for at least 20 minutes in the pan. After that, lift the bars out with the parchment paper and cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, cut them into squares or bars and enjoy your tasty treat! When picking blueberries, look for deep blue color. They should be firm and plump. Avoid berries with green or red spots. Fresh blueberries taste best and hold their shape well in the bars. Blueberries can vary in sweetness. Taste a few before you start. If they taste tart, add more sugar. If they are sweet, reduce the sugar in your recipe. This way, your bars will have the right balance. For a great crumble, keep your butter cold. When mixing, stop when the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Don't overmix. This keeps the texture light and crumbly. Reserve some crumble for the topping to get that nice crunch. Your bars are ready when the top is golden brown and the blueberries bubble. Bake them for 35-40 minutes. If you see the edges pulling away from the pan, they are done. Let them cool before cutting for the best results. {{image_2}} You can add nuts to the crumble for a tasty twist. Chopped walnuts or almonds work well. Just mix about 1/2 cup of nuts into the dry ingredients. This adds a great crunch and flavor to each bite. Feel free to swap blueberries with other fruits. Raspberries add a tart flavor, while peaches give a sweet touch. Use about 2 cups of any fruit you like. Just remember to adjust the sugar based on the fruit's sweetness. To make these bars gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend. This works well in place of all-purpose flour. Ensure the oats are certified gluten-free too. Your bars will still taste great! You can make these bars vegan by swapping a few key ingredients. Replace the egg with 1/4 cup of applesauce or a flax egg. Use coconut oil instead of butter. These changes keep the bars tasty and suitable for a vegan diet. To keep your Blueberry Lemon Crumble Bars fresh, use an airtight container. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Store them at room temperature for up to two days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate them. They can stay fresh for about a week in the fridge. You can freeze these bars easily. First, let them cool completely. Cut them into squares or bars. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, thaw them overnight in the fridge. At room temperature, the bars last for about two days. In the fridge, you can enjoy them for up to a week. If frozen, they maintain great taste for three months. Always check for any signs of spoilage before eating. Yes, you can use frozen blueberries. They work well in this recipe. Just remember, frozen berries may release more juice. This can make the filling a bit wetter. You might want to add a little more cornstarch to help thicken it up. If you don't have brown sugar, you can use white sugar. You can also mix white sugar with a bit of molasses. For every cup of white sugar, add 1 tablespoon of molasses. This will give you a similar flavor and moisture. The bars are done when the top is golden brown and the blueberries bubble slightly. You can also check by inserting a toothpick. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, they are ready. Yes, you can make these bars ahead of time. They stay fresh for a few days at room temperature. Just store them in an airtight container. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Wrap them well before freezing. Absolutely! These bars are great for kids. They are sweet and fruity, plus they have a fun crumble topping. Just make sure the bars are cool before serving to kids. Enjoying them as a snack or dessert is a hit! We explored how to make delicious Blueberry Lemon Crumble Bars. First, we discussed key ingredients like fresh blueberries, lemon juice, and a mixture of dry goods. Then, I guided you through easy step-by-step instructions for baking. You learned helpful tips for choosing blueberries and how to adjust sweetness. Plus, I shared fun variations and storage tips for leftovers. Remember, making these bars can be simple and fun. Enjoy being creative in your kitchen!$

Blueberry Lemon Crumble Bars

Indulge in the deliciousness of Blueberry Lemon Crumble Bars with this easy recipe! Packed with fresh blueberries and a zesty lemon kick, these bars make for a perfect dessert or snack. Learn how to create the buttery crumble and juicy filling that will have everyone coming back for more. Ready to impress your taste buds? Click through for the full recipe and enjoy a bite of summer today!

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Ingredients

2 cups fresh blueberries

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Zest of 1 lemon

1/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust based on blueberry sweetness)

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

In a medium bowl, combine the blueberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Set aside to macerate while you prepare the crumble base.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add the cold cubed butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Reserve 1 cup of the crumble mixture and press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the base.

Spread the blueberry mixture evenly over the crumble base.

Crumble the reserved topping over the blueberries, ensuring even coverage.

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the blueberries are bubbling.

Remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. Then, lift out using the parchment paper overhang and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

Once cooled, cut into squares or bars and enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 16 bars