These lemon blackberry crumb bars are the perfect combination of tart and sweet, with a buttery crumble topping and a gooey blackberry filling, this easy recipe is a dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.
Are you looking for a dessert that’s easy to make, bursting with flavor, and perfect for sharing with friends and family? Look no further than these lemon blackberry crumb bars!
If you’re a fan of fruity desserts, then you’re going to love these easy Blackberry Crumble Bars. These bakery-style layer bars are the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
With a buttery crust and a layer of fresh juicy blackberries and bright zesty lemon flavor, this easy-to-follow recipe is sure to become a go-to favorite.
These blackberry pie bars are a great dessert, a delicious treat for an afternoon snack or a sweet summer breakfast. Serve at picnics, potlucks, or just as a sweet treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.
How to Make Delicious Blackberry Crumb Bars
*For the full recipe, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Crust Ingredients:
- ¾ cups butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 cups flour
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Filling Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 TBS all purpose flour
- 3 cups fresh blackberries, halved
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Juice of half of one lemon
Directions
Preheat a 350 degree oven. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
Whisk together butter, brown sugar, and lemon zest until well incorporated in a large bowl.
Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to the butter mixture until well incorporated.
Take one cup of crumb mixture and set aside for later.
Press the rest of the dough mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and bake for 12-15 minutes. Let the crust cool completely.
In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, blackberries, lemon zest, and lemon juice until well incorporated.
Pour blackberry mixture on the cooled crust, and spread fruit mixture until even across the crust.
Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture that was set aside.
Bake the blackberry crumb bars for 45 minutes or until golden brown in the preheated oven.
Cool the bars for at least 30 minutes before cutting into individual bars.
You can serve them warm or chilled, depending on your preference. The bars are delicious on their own, so you can simply serve them as is, but if you’re feeling extra indulgent, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!
See Also: Blackberry Recipes | Blackberry Dessert Recipes | Blueberry Cheesecake Crumb Cake | Apple Crumble Muffins | Easy Crumb Cake
Here are some tips and tricks to help make the best Blackberry Bars:
- Look for plump, firm, and shiny blackberries that are dark purple in color. Avoid any berries that are mushy, dull or have signs of mold.
- If you can’t find fresh berries, you can use frozen berries instead. If you are using frozen blackberries, be sure to thaw, drain and pat dry thoroughly with a paper towel to avoid too much moisture.
- For the crumb topping, you can use chopped nuts or oats instead of flour for added texture.
- When making the crumb topping, make sure to use cold butter and work it into the flour and sugar mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Don’t overwork the mixture, or the crumb topping will become too dense.
- Before adding the blackberry filling, make sure to press the crust mixture firmly into the baking dish. This will help it hold its shape and prevent the filling from seeping into the crust.
Serving & Storing Blackberry Crumb Bars
Blackberry Crumb Bars can be served warm or at room temperature. They can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. If freezing, wrap the bars in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
You can substitute the blackberries for your favorite berries such as raspberries, strawberries or blueberries in these easy bars or even a combination of all three for a mixed berry flavor can be used.
*Contains affiliate links in which a small commission is received. See our disclosure policy for more information.
Easy Recipe for Lemon Blackberry Crumb Bars
Ingredients
- Crust Ingredients:
- ¾ cups butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 cups flour
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Filling Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 TBS all purpose flour
- 3 cups fresh blackberries, halved
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Juice of half of one lemon
Instructions
Preheat a 350 degree oven. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
Whisk together butter, brown sugar, and lemon zest until well incorporated in a large bowl.
Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to the butter mixture until well incorporated.
Take one cup of crumb mixture and set aside for later.
Press the rest of the dough mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and bake for 12-15 minutes. Let the crust cool completely.
In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, blackberries, lemon zest, and lemon juice until well incorporated.
Pour blackberry mixture on the cooled crust, and spread fruit mixture until even across the crust.
Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture that was set aside.
Bake the blackberry crumb bars for 45 minutes or until golden brown in the preheated oven.
Cool the bars for at least 30 minutes before cutting into individual bars.
You can serve them warm or chilled, depending on your preference. The bars are delicious on their own, so you can simply serve them as is, but if you're feeling extra indulgent, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!
Notes
- Look for plump, firm, and shiny blackberries that are dark purple in color. Avoid any berries that are mushy, dull or have signs of mold.
- If you can't find fresh berries, you can use frozen berries instead. If you are using frozen blackberries, be sure to thaw, drain and pat dry thoroughly with a paper towel to avoid too much moisture.
- For the crumb topping, you can use chopped nuts or oats instead of flour for added texture.
- When making the crumb topping, make sure to use cold butter and work it into the flour and sugar mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Don't overwork the mixture, or the crumb topping will become too dense.
- Before adding the blackberry filling, make sure to press the crust mixture firmly into the baking dish. This will help it hold its shape and prevent the filling from seeping into the crust.
- Blackberry Crumb Bars can be served warm or at room temperature. They can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. If freezing, wrap the bars in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.