Blackberry Crumb Bars

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These delightful bars are perfect for picnics and potlucks.

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Prep Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Yield:
16

Delight picnic-goers with a portable version of summer berry crumble: a perfect marriage of tart fruit and tender cake, capped with a slightly crunchy topping.

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Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted, and ½ cup (1 stick), room temperature, plus more for pan

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan

  • ½ cup packed light-brown sugar

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon baking powder

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar

  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 containers (5 ounces each) blackberries

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides; butter and flour paper, tapping out excess.

  2. Make topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; add 1 cup flour, and mix with a fork until large moist crumbs form. Refrigerate topping until ready to use.

  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together remaining 3/4 cup flour, baking powder, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat room-temperature butter, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy; add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce speed to low; mix in flour mixture. Spread batter evenly in pan; sprinkle with blackberries, then chilled topping.

  4. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool completely in pan. Using paper overhang, lift cake onto a work surface; cut into 16 squares.

Cook's Notes

While you prepare the cake, refrigerate the crumb topping. This will help give it a nubbly texture once baked. To store, keep in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 3 days.

Originally appeared: Everyday Food, June 2008

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