Why You Must Make

• These Blueberry Bars are like a pie in cookie form!
• They are SO much simpler to prepare than a traditional blueberry pie.
• And let’s be honest—who doesn’t love a delicious dessert?

My husband, Bill, is a pie fanatic, and while I enjoy pie too, the process of rolling out a double crust can be quite the hassle. From chilling dough to rolling it out, only to hope it doesn’t tear. During summer, I often bake peach, raspberry, and of course, blueberry pies, but this time I wanted to shake things up with these bars!

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• ¾ cup flour
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• A pinch of salt
• 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces

For the Berry Filling:

• ¼ cup blueberry jam
• 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1-2 tablespoons flour (to help with moisture)
• 1-2 tablespoons sugar (if your berries aren’t very sweet)

For the Topping:

• 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup packed brown sugar

How to Make Blueberry Streusel Bars

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
2. Prepare the Crust: In a mixing bowl, combine ¾ cup flour, powdered sugar, a dash of salt, and the cold butter. Use a pastry blender (or your fingers) to mix until the butter resembles small peas. This helps create a tender crust.
3. Press the Crust: Sprinkle the mixture into the bottom of an 8×8 inch baking pan that’s lined with non-stick foil for easy removal. Firmly press down with your hands.
4. Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until it just begins to brown.
5. Prepare the Filling: Meanwhile, melt the blueberry jam in a small saucepan over low heat, or microwave it for a few seconds until it’s easily spreadable.
6. Mix the Berries: In a separate bowl, gently combine the blueberries with 1-2 tablespoons of flour. If the berries are a bit tart, sprinkle in some sugar to balance the flavors.
7. Make the Streusel Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining butter, flour, and brown sugar. Mix with a pastry blender until you achieve a crumbly texture.
8. Assemble the Bars: Once the crust is done baking, remove it from the oven. Using a pastry brush, spread the melted jam over the crust. Layer the mixed berries and then sprinkle the streusel topping over everything.
9. Bake Again: Return the assembled bars to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the berries are bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
10. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them into squares. This will ensure they hold their shape and are easy to serve!

These blueberry streusel bars are not only simple to make, but they also bring joy to every bite!

Recipe Tips

• Keep It Cold: Using cold butter helps create a tender texture for both the crust and the topping. The cold butter produces steam as it bakes, making everything delightful and flaky.
• Taste Test: If you find your filling a little too tart, don’t hesitate to adjust the sugar amount. Always sample your blueberries before proceeding!
• Explore Other Berries: These bars would also work brilliantly with blackberries or even mixed berries.
• Storage Suggestions: If you have leftover blueberries, consider making Blueberry Poppy Seed Bread for a delightful treat!

Frequently Asked Questions