Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Blueberry Pie Bars: Easy Recipe & Baking Tips


  • Total Time: 150 minutes
  • Yield: 12-16 bars 1x

Description

Delicious blueberry pie bars with a buttery crust and a sweet, crumbly topping. Perfect for a summer treat!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 68 tablespoons ice water
  • 6 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed and patted dry
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon milk or cream, for brushing the crust
  • Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling on top

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
  2. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition, until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
  4. Divide the dough in half. Gently flatten each half into a disc. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
  5. In a large bowl, gently toss together the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon, and salt.
  6. Let the blueberry mixture sit for about 15 minutes.
  7. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, rolled oats, cinnamon, and salt.
  8. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  9. Mix until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is evenly distributed.
  10. Chill the crumble topping in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the crust (optional).
  11. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
  12. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the chilled dough discs into a rectangle slightly larger than the 9×13 inch pan. Carefully transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press it into the bottom and up the sides. Trim any excess dough.
  13. Use a fork to prick the bottom of the crust all over (dock the crust).
  14. Blind Bake (Optional): For a crispier crust, you can blind bake the crust for 10-15 minutes before adding the filling. To do this, place a piece of parchment paper over the crust and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 10-15 minutes, then remove the parchment paper and weights and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden.
  15. Pour the blueberry filling evenly over the prepared crust.
  16. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the blueberry filling.
  17. If desired, brush the top of the crumble topping with milk or cream and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
  18. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can tent the pan with aluminum foil.
  19. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting.
  20. Once the bars are completely cool, lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut them into squares or rectangles and serve.

Notes

  • Use cold ingredients for a flaky crust.
  • Don’t overmix the dough.
  • Chill the dough for best results.
  • Fresh blueberries are recommended.
  • Adjust sugar to taste.
  • Let cool completely before cutting.
  • Variations: Substitute other berries, add nuts to the crumble, drizzle with lemon glaze, or add spices to the filling.
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45-55 minutes