Blackberry Bars

These blackberry bars are made with fresh blackberries – a delicious dessert paired with a hot mug of coffee on a summer evening.

These blackberry bars are an easy dessert made with a buttery crumb base and a sweet, slightly tart blackberry filling. Using simple pantry ingredients and fresh or frozen blackberries, this recipe comes together quickly and bakes into soft, sliceable bars that are perfect for sharing. If you’re looking for a straightforward blackberry dessert recipe, these bars are a reliable go-to.

Blackberry bars always feel a little nostalgic. They’re the kind of dessert that works just as well for summer potlucks as they do for a quiet evening at home with a cup of coffee or tea. Simple, unfussy, and packed with fruit flavour, they’re the sort of bake you’ll find yourself coming back to whenever blackberries are in season.

Tips for Best Results

• Use cold butter: Cutting cold butter into the flour mixture creates a tender, crumbly base.
• Thaw berries first: If using frozen blackberries, thaw and drain slightly to avoid a soggy crust.
• Don’t overmix the dough: Overworking can make the bars tough; mix just until combined.
• Press base evenly: Ensure the bottom layer is uniform for even baking.
• Cool before cutting: Let the bars cool for at least 15–20 minutes before slicing to prevent the filling from spilling.
• Store properly: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• All-purpose flour: Creates a tender base. Substitute with gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
• Granulated sugar & brown sugar: Adds sweetness and texture. Coconut sugar or maple sugar can be used instead.
• Butter: Provides richness and structure. Can use unsalted margarine or vegan butter for a dairy-free version.
• Egg: Binds the dough. For an egg-free option, try a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).
• Vanilla extract: Enhances flavour. Almond extract can be used for a slightly nutty twist.
• Blackberries: The star of the recipe. Swap for raspberries, blueberries, or a mix of berries if desired.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the fruit filling. Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch works as a substitute.
• Lemon juice: Balances sweetness and brightens the fruit flavour. Orange juice can be used for a milder taste.

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Blackberry Bars

Yields: 9 Servings | Prep time: 15 Minutes | Cook time: 35 Minutes

Ingredients

Base & Topping

• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 stick (½ cup / 115 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

Blackberry Filling

• 3 cups (450 g) fresh or frozen blackberries, thawed
• ½ tbsp (5 g) cornstarch
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice

Directions
 

1. Prepare the pan: Line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Preheat oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C).

1. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. (Image 1)
2. Add egg and vanilla: Stir the egg and vanilla into the dry ingredients until just combined.
3. Incorporate butter: Add cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the dough forms coarse crumbs that hold together when pressed. (Image 2)

1. Form the base: Take ¾ of the flour mixture and press evenly into the prepared pan to create the bottom crust.
2. Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix blackberries, cornstarch, sugar, and lemon juice until combined.
3. Assemble bars: Pour the blackberry mixture over the crust, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the remaining flour mixture over the top.
4. Bake: Bake for 35 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden and the filling is bubbly.
5. Cool and cut: Allow bars to cool slightly in the pan before lifting out with parchment and cutting into 9 squares.
6. Serve: Enjoy as-is or with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Continue to Content

Yield: 9 Servings

Blackberry Bars

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

These blackberry bars are made with fresh blackberries – a delicious dessert paired with a hot mug of coffee on a summer evening.

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Ingredients

Base & Topping

Toggle ingredient group

• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 stick (½ cup / 115 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

Blackberry Filling

Toggle ingredient group

• 3 cups (450 g) fresh or frozen blackberries, thawed
• ½ tbsp (5 g) cornstarch
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice

Instructions

1. Line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. In a bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
4. Stir the egg and vanilla into the dry ingredients until just combined.
5. Add cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the dough forms coarse crumbs that hold together when pressed.
6. Take ¾ of the flour mixture and press evenly into the prepared pan to create the bottom crust.
7. In a small bowl, mix blackberries, cornstarch, sugar, and lemon juice until combined.
8. Pour the blackberry mixture over the crust, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the remaining flour mixture over the top.
9. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden and the filling is bubbly.
10. Allow bars to cool slight
11. Enjoy as-is or with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Recommended Products

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• 
  Farberware Nonstick Cake Pan, Square - 9 Inch
• 
  Nordic Ware - 8" x 8" Square Cake Pan
• 
  Sweese 8x8 inch Square Porcelain Baking Dish

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Serving Size:

1 large square
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 191Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 45mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 5gSugar: 25gProtein: 3g

This information is provided as a courtesy and for entertainment purposes only. This information comes from online calculators. Although frugalmomeh.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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