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For the best blueberry crumble bars, you will need: - 2 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed and drained - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice These fresh ingredients create a juicy and tangy filling that makes each bite delightful. The dry ingredients include: - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1 cup rolled oats - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt These dry elements blend to form a crumbly base and topping that contrasts perfectly with the blueberries. Feel free to add a twist to your bars with these optional ingredients: - 1 teaspoon lemon zest for extra zing - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for warmth - Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch These options let you customize your bars, making them unique and fun to enjoy! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 9x9-inch baking dish. You can grease it with butter or line it with parchment paper. This makes it easy to lift the bars out after baking. In a medium bowl, combine the fresh blueberries, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Gently toss the blueberries so they are coated well. Let this mixture sit for a moment. This allows the flavors to blend and the blueberries to get juicy. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, and fine salt. Mix well. Then, pour in the melted butter and vanilla extract. Use a fork to combine until it looks like coarse crumbs. This is your crumble topping. Take about three-quarters of the crumble mixture. Press it firmly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. This forms a solid base. Next, pour the blueberry mixture on top, spreading it evenly. Finally, sprinkle the rest of the crumble mixture over the blueberries. Make sure to cover them completely. Now, place the dish in your preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Look for a golden brown top and bubbling blueberries. Once done, remove the dish from the oven. Let it cool on a wire rack before cutting. Use a sharp knife to slice into bars. Enjoy your tasty blueberry crumble bars! To make the crumble nice and crunchy, mix the dry ingredients well. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the melted butter. This helps create small clumps in the crumble. When you press the mixture into the pan, pack it down firmly. This will give you a strong base and a great topping. You can use frozen blueberries if fresh ones are not available. Just make sure to thaw and drain them first. This prevents excess moisture from making your bars soggy. Toss the thawed blueberries with lemon juice and cornstarch just like you would with fresh ones. They will still taste great! After baking, let the crumble bars cool in the dish. This helps them set up better and makes cutting easier. Wait until they are completely cool before slicing. A sharp knife works best for clean cuts. If you want neat squares, consider chilling them in the fridge for about an hour before cutting. Pro Tips Freshness Matters: Always use fresh blueberries for the best flavor and texture in your crumble bars. Chill the Butter: Allow the melted butter to cool slightly before mixing it with the dry ingredients to prevent the crumble from becoming too greasy. Customize the Sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar based on your taste and the sweetness of the blueberries. Perfect Cooling: Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish to help them set properly before cutting. {{image_4}} You can easily boost the flavor of blueberry crumble bars. Adding lemon zest brightens the taste. Simply grate some lemon peel and mix it with the blueberries. Cinnamon adds warmth and spice. Just sprinkle a teaspoon into the crumble mixture for a cozy twist. Need a gluten-free option? Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour. Look for a blend that works well for baking. You can also use gluten-free oats. Check the label to ensure they are certified gluten-free. This way, everyone can enjoy these tasty bars without worries. Blueberries are great, but don’t stop there! You can use other fruits too. Try raspberries for a tart flavor. Peaches bring a sweet and juicy taste. Apples add crunch and can be spiced with cinnamon. Mix and match your favorite fruits to create your own unique bars. To keep your blueberry crumble bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. Make sure to let them cool completely first. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers if you stack them. This helps avoid sticking. You can keep them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want them to last longer, your fridge is a great option. They will stay fresh for about a week in the fridge. Freezing blueberry crumble bars is easy and a smart way to save some for later. First, cut the bars into squares. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the bag with the date. They can stay in the freezer for up to three months. When you want to enjoy them, just let them thaw in the fridge overnight. To reheat your blueberry crumble bars, simply place them in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Put the bars on a baking sheet and cover them with foil. Heat for about 10 to 15 minutes until warm. You can also use the microwave. Heat one bar at a time for about 20 to 30 seconds. Enjoy them warm with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of cream for a tasty treat! Yes, you can make blueberry crumble bars ahead of time. I suggest baking them and letting them cool completely. After that, you can store them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for about three days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure to wrap them well. Thaw them in the fridge before serving. If you need a substitute for cornstarch, you can use all-purpose flour. Use 2 tablespoons of flour for every tablespoon of cornstarch. Another option is to use arrowroot powder. It works similarly and helps thicken the filling. These substitutes will keep your bars delicious and firm. The bars are done when the top is golden brown. You should also see some bubbling from the blueberries. This shows that the filling is hot and set. A toothpick can help too. Insert it into the center. If it comes out mostly clean, the bars are ready. Let them cool before cutting. In this post, we explored how to make delicious blueberry crumble bars. We covered fresh and dry ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips for perfecting your bars. You learned variations to try and how to store them properly. Making these bars is fun and rewarding. Experimenting with flavors and fruits can give you unique treats. Enjoy every bite of your homemade blueberry crumble bars.

Blueberry Crumble Bars

Delicious bars made with fresh blueberries and a crumbly topping.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 2 packed brown sugar
  • 1 2 granulated sugar
  • 1 2 baking powder
  • 1 2 fine salt
  • 1 2 unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x9-inch baking dish by greasing it with butter or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars after baking.
  • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, gently combine the fresh blueberries with the lemon juice and cornstarch. Toss carefully to ensure all the blueberries are evenly coated with the lemon juice and cornstarch mixture. Set this aside to allow the flavors to meld.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, and fine salt until well combined.
  • Pour the melted butter and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients. Mix with a fork or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring that the butter is integrated throughout.
  • Take about three-quarters of the crumble mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create an even and compact base layer.
  • Distribute the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust, ensuring to cover the base without leaving gaps.
  • Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture generously over the blueberries, making sure it covers them fully for a delightful topping.
  • Bake in your preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is a beautiful golden brown and you can see the blueberries bubbling through the crumble.
  • Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool in the baking dish on a wire rack. After it has cooled completely, use a sharp knife to cut into bar shapes.

Notes

For an elevated serving experience, serve the bars warm with a scoop of velvety vanilla ice cream or a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream on top.
Keyword bars, blueberry, crumble, dessert