Ah, blueberries—the tiny bursts of joy that have graced our kitchen tables for generations, reminding us of sun-kissed summers and cherished family gatherings. Picture this: a crisp morning, a cup of steaming coffee in hand, and the delightful aroma of blueberry crumb bars wafting through the air—pure bliss. Seriously, if you haven’t had a blueberry crumb bar moment, you’re missing out on a bite of happiness.
Steps
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, 1 cup of sugar, and baking powder. Add salt and cinnamon if desired. Blend in the butter and egg using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly. Press half of this dough into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup sugar with cornstarch, then gently fold in the blueberries. Evenly distribute the blueberry mixture over the dough base in the pan, and sprinkle the remaining crumbly dough on top.
- Bake the mixture in your preheated oven for around 45 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing them into squares for serving.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1 cup butter or shortening
- 1 large egg
- 4 cups fresh blueberries
- ½ cup white sugar
- 3 teaspoons cornstarch
Nutritional Values
Total Nutrition Values for the Entire Recipe | Calories: 4770 | Total Fat: 210g | Saturated Fat: 60g | Cholesterol: 180mg | Sodium: 1155mg | Total Carbohydrates: 675g | Dietary Fiber: 30g | Total Sugars: 360g | Protein: 45g | Vitamin C: 60mg | Calcium: 405mg | Iron: 15mg | Potassium: 930mg
FAQ
- Can I use different types of fruit in this recipe?
- Yes, you can substitute the blueberries with any berries you prefer. Some people have successfully used canned or frozen fruit, but make sure to strain or thaw them to remove excess moisture.
- What can I use instead of shortening?
- You can use butter as an alternative to shortening in this recipe. Many users have found it to be a delicious substitute.
- Can I make a sugar-free version of these bars?
- Yes, a sugar-free version can be made by using a sugar substitute in place of white sugar. Adjustments may be needed based on the sweetness of the substitute.
- Is it possible to adjust the recipe to make more or fewer bars?
- The recipe is quite flexible and can be doubled or halved easily to suit your needs. Just adjust the ingredients proportionally.
- Do I need to use all-purpose flour, or can I use a different type?
- All-purpose flour is recommended for this recipe, but you can experiment with other types of flour. Keep in mind that the texture and taste may vary with different flours.
Tips
- For a richer flavor, consider using butter instead of shortening and mixing in a combination of white and brown sugar for the dough.
- If you want to enhance the taste, add a teaspoon of almond extract to the egg before mixing it into the dough.
- The recipe is versatile and works well with different kinds of berries, so feel free to substitute or mix with your favorites.
- If using frozen or canned fruit, ensure it is strained or thawed properly to remove excess moisture, which can affect the bars’ texture.
Equipment
- Pastry cutter – Useful for blending butter into the dough.
- 9×13-inch baking pan – Required for baking the bars.
- Oven thermometer – If you want to ensure your oven is at the correct temperature.
- Cooling rack – Handy for cooling the bars completely after baking.
