Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Blueberry Crumb Bars

Blueberry Crumb Bars

I started my staycation with a night out at the Hollywood Bowl. We saw the Grease singalong and it was so much fun! I used to watch Grease often when I was in high school, but it's been a few years since I've seen it. Turns out watching that movie again is like riding a bicycle. All the familiar words came right back to me. Of course when you go to the Hollywood Bowl, part of the whole experience is picnicking beforehand. The group I went with was serious about their picnic. They even had a whole spreadsheet devoted to who was bringing what. I knew I couldn't let the group down, but I didn't have much time to spend on a great treat for the group since part of the evening prior was spent baking brownies. Luckily these bars are easy, but so good. I am really loving blueberries this season. The crumb with the slightly lemony crust accentuates the blueberries and provides a great base for their juicy goodness. I've been seeing these crumb bars a lot around the blogosphere lately and it's not hard to tell why. They are well worth the slight effort!



Blueberry Crumb Bars
(Adapted from AllRecipes via Jessica's Dinner Party and Smitten Kitchen)



Makes 9+ bars (depending on how you cut them)

For the crust and crumb topping
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups flour
Pinch of salt
Zest of 1/2 of a lemon
1/2 of a lightly beaten egg
1 stick cold, unsalted butter, cut into pieces

For the blueberry filing
2 cups fresh blueberries
Juice of 1/2 of a lemon
1/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8 or 9 inch baking dish and set aside.

To make the crust:
In a large bowl, mix the sugar, baking powder, flour, salt, and lemon zest. Add the egg and then the butter pieces and use a dough blender or knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture. Press half of the dough into the greased pan.

In a large bowl, mix the blueberries, lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch until well combined. Spread the mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble the remaining dough over the blueberries.

Bake for 45 minutes until the crust is lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Printable Recipes

Stumble Upon Toolbar

12 comments:

krissy @ thefoodaddicts.com said...

it looks perfect! exactly like how i'd see it at the bakeries.

Diana said...

I've been loving blueberries lately too. Been piling them into my Greek yogurt with that vanilla scented granola. Best breakfast EVER. (aside from pb oats, of coures) ;)

Banana Wonder said...

Yum! I'll be sure to invite you to the next picnic I go on...and bring bombbox w/ Grease soundtrack. Blueberry bars looks scrumptious and love the lemon zest!

The Urban Baker said...

I love blueberry crumb bars. Yummy. So "summer-ish"!

Unknown said...

ooh, grease :) fun fun! and i'm glad i just picked up the first of the blueberries today...

vanillasugarblog said...

YUM! I have yet to make these. I am having a NOCATION this year. Yeah me!!

Memória said...

YUM! I've been seeing these bars everywhere. Not that you've given it your seal of approval, I guess I will I have to try it out very soon.

Lynn said...

Yum! My mom makes something like this every summer, its one of my favourites!

Joanne said...

I've been on a bar kick too lately, but went the frozen cranberry route instead of hte fresh delicious blueberry route. Definitely going to make these though! No such thing as too many crumb bars.

And oh the days of Grease...what a classic.

Aaron John said...

I've never had a blueberry crumb bar. These look to die for!
Would you mind checking out my blog? :D
http://ajscookingsecrets.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I'm really loving blueberries right now and your bars look yummy delish!

Lisa said...

I love all crumbles, crisps, buckles, pandowndies etc.. and yours looks amazing. I just so happen to have a ton of blueberrries left from the DB challenge (along with loads of other fruit) but I've already commited to making a blueberry-basil sorbet. However, this is bookmarked for next week :)