Blackberry Crumble Bars

These cheery, blackberry crumb bars are a summertime favorite and make a perfect afternoon snack or simple dessert.

Blackberry Crumble Bars

I love crumbles. Maybe it’s the name, it’s so old-fashioned and makes me think of long summer walks along blackberry hedges.

I imagine filling pails with sweet-smelling berries and watching small children with berry-stained mouths and grubby hands.

Later, we’d deliver the blackberries to a grandmother who would magically transform them into pots of jam and pies on the windowsill.

The berries would find themselves in so many desserts from blackberry vanilla cupcakes to lemon blackberry yogurt cake. And there would always be crumb bars served with tea in the afternoon tea.

These black berry crumble bars are everything I love about berry season in a handheld dessert.

Blackberry Bars

I don’t think I can overstate how quick and easy it is to make these delicious fruit bars.

Making Blackberry Bars is as simple as stirring together the crumble topping and pressing half of it into a baking pan. Top that with sugared berries and then sprinkle with the remaining crust.

They are perfect for a quick handheld dessert that you can carry out into the yard to enjoy the long summer twilight while sitting on the porch swing.

These bars are great dessert to whip up for unexpected guests. Or make them as a snack for a kids’ event, game, or to celebrate after a recital.

You really don’t need an excuse, this is a delicious snack for any reason. You aren’t likely to be bringing any leftovers home.

Berry Bars Recipe

The berry bar ingredients are pantry staples. And if you’re lucky, you can pick your own blackberries from a nearby hedge. If that’s not available, your local grocery store or farmer’s market is sure to have some.

Raspberries or boysenberries would be excellent in this easy summertime recipe as well. Frozen berries can be used. However, they’ll need to be thawed and drained to keep your crumble from getting too soggy.

This is a great recipe for kids to try. They can pick the berries and then come home and make the Crumb Bars.

The kids always think it’s fun to push the topping into the pan with their fingers.

Easy peasy and you’ll have these bars coming out of the oven in no time. Serve with tea or coffee or a big glass of cold milk. Blackberry bars are perfect for picnics and late afternoon snacks.

Easy Tip for Cutting in the Butter

You can grate the cold butter straight into the flour! Use butter straight from the refrigerator, don’t let it warm on the counter while you set up the grater.

It takes only 15-20 seconds to grate a cold stick of butter. Toss the fluffy grated butter into flour to lightly coat it and then all you need is a fork or your fingers to turn it into perfect crumbs in moments.

Blackberry Bars Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Stir together the flour, 1 cup white sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter, until the butter is in pea-sized pieces. (See note below for an easy tip!)
2. Stir in the beaten egg with a fork. Press half of the dough into the bottom of the baking dish. Combine the blackberries, lemon juice, cornstarch, and sugar in a medium-size mixing bowl and stir to combine.
3. Scatter the sugared berries over the crust in the pan. Sprinkle with the other half of the dough mixture.
4. Bake at 375 F for 30-35 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let cool completely.

{originally published 6/3/16 – recipe notes and photos updated 1/22/21}

Here are a few more blackberry recipes to try:

Blackberry Lime Cupcakes from a Cookie Named Desire

Blackberry Cheesecake Brownies from Oh, Sweet Basil

No Churn Vanilla Blackberry Swirl Ice Cream from Celebrating Sweets

Monster Cookie Bars

Sugar Cookie Bars

Raspberry White Chocolate Ice Cream