These Berry Crumb Bars are the perfect dessert for all those gorgeous summer berries. A shortbread crust topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries make for a summer dessert winner!
Bring on the summer berries folks because have I got a treat for you!
As a kid I was not into fruit. When given the option of either a fruit dessert or a chocolate one, hands down, chocolate every time. Growing up, and still to this day, I can hear my mother saying, “have some fruit. It’s delicious. It tastes just like candy.” Yada yada, I’d think. Just give me something chocolate.
Well, as I’ve grown older, I tend to opt for the fruity desserts over the chocolate ones. Go figure? I guess, as the saying goes…Mom is always right, it actually does taste like candy. Even better!
These Berry Crumble Bars are double the berries. Juicy strawberries and plump blueberries atop a buttery crust and then sprinkled with additional crumb topping. A drizzle of sweet vanilla glaze is highly suggested, or perhaps sans the drizzle and topped with freshly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. You be the judge! Enjoy!
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar firmly packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter chilled and cut into small cubes
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 cups strawberries chopped
- 1 1/2 cups blueberries
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- Vanilla Glaze:
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar sifted
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 Tbsp. milk
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9X13 pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, combine flour, sugars, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Whisk together. Add butter. Cut in with pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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In a small bowl, lightly beat egg and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and mix together using your fingers until the dough begins to clump together.
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Tightly press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan.
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In a medium bowl, combine strawberries, blueberries, cornstarch, granulated sugar and lemon juice. Mix until well combined. Pour over crust and spread evenly. Sprinkle fruit layer with remaining crumbs.
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Bake for 50 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown on top. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack for 30 minutes, then place in refrigerator to cool totally.
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In a small bowl, whisk together vanilla glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bars. Remove from pan and cut into squares. Refrigerate leftovers.
When I was reeeeeally little I chose chocolate over fruit too! But then, as you know, I developed an allergy to cocoa, so that choice was taken away from me. So, I became a fruit over chocolate person at a pretty young age. And I’m not mad about it, because fruit is absolutely delicious, and healthy to boot! These bars are seriously stunning, Mary Ann!! Love the buttery base, streusel topping and that glaze! I’m definitely down with eating a few dozen of these delicious bars! Pinned of course! Cheers, friend!
I knew you’d love these Chey, since you can’t have cocoa. They’re so easy and not overdone with sugar. I hope you give them a go! Have an awesome week!
I just love them all! Fruit, chocolate … whatever ;) My sweet tooth knows no bounds! So loving these, of course. Perfect for snacking or entertaining this Summer.
I hope you try these Jennifer! They’re quite yummy and perfect for summer. Happy Monday my friend!
I love anything with lots of sweet buttery crumbs. And when you add delicious summer berries, I’m definitely all in!
Me too Chris! Knew I could count on you!
Absolutely love these Mary Ann. Perfect picnic dessert. It’ll be making an appearance on my picnic blanket for sure!
Yay! You’re going to love these Debs!
You know what? I’m totally into fruit these days….like so much more than chocolate. I mean, I do love chocolate, but not quite as much as I used to. Funny thing. This is absolutely gorgeous, Mary Ann and I just want to reach through my screen and grab that whole pan! Pinned, of course. Plus, this just screams summer, doesn’t it? Gorgeous! Happy Monday, my friend! xo
They absolutely scream summer Dawn! I’ve made them a few times already. They’ll be making appearances all summer long at our house. I can’t get enough berries! Enjoy and thanks for pinning!
I’ll take chocolate, fruit, whatever sweet food I can get my hands on. But what I’m really craving right now is one of these bars! They look completely heavenly–those strawberries are so perfectly red and plump I’m putting berries on my grocery list for today. Have a great week Mary Ann!
I hope you give them a try Kelsie! They’re wonderful for summer!
MaryAnn,
this is stunning!!! I can’t wait to try this with my summer berries!! LOVE!
You’re going to LOVE these Alice! They’re so easy and I don’t use lots of sugar because the berries are perfectly sweet on their own. Enjoy!
I’m thinking these are perfect for a summer picnic with the kids, they look amazing!
Thanks Matt! They would totally love them! Good way to eat their fruit!
I’m always ready fruit desserts, especially when they look like this. And as a kid my mom use to always try to push raisins on me like that, but I was never convinced and still not. But fruit tasting like candy, like your mom said – I’m totally on board with that.
She’s so funny Naomi! She just turned 85 and she’s still saying that! She’s on a frozen grape kick now. If I hear one more time “have you tried frozen grapes? They taste like candy”, I’m going to croak! She’s coming up north from Florida next week, so I’ll definitely be making these for her. (And eating frozen grapes!)
I think you’re reading my mind as I’ve been obsessed with this type of bar cookie (is that what we’d call it??) lately!!! They’re such a gorgeous way to use summer fruit. Beautiful Mary Ann!!! xoxo
Yes, a bar cookie sounds like it fits the bill Rebecca! These are so delish and easy. I know you’d love them!
Oh yes, fruit crumb bars are a necessity of summer! Your version here looks delightful, and that first photo is so beautiful and tempting. Strawberries and blueberries are a wonderful combo and makes this totally worthy of being healthy enough for breakfast, right? ;) Happy summer, Mary Ann!
I have made these a few times already this summer Emily and they’re just irresistible. So much so, I needed to give this last batch to Casey to bring to his friends when he was home over the weekend! Too tempting to have on the kitchen counter and his friends are always excited to get some free baked goods!
I am absolutely positive that my son will love these bars. I am already hooked by looking at the photos :-) Thank you for sharing !
I’m positive he will too! Glad I hooked you!
What a lovely afternoon treat with a cup of tea. Elinor x
Perfect with a cup of tea Elinor! Enjoy!
Haha… I think I still choose chocolate over anything! But I *DO love a good cake with fresh berries or pie or.. or … IDK!! These berry bars are fabulous and come together so quick! I think I’d love to have a few of these with a big scoop of ice cream on top! Delicious work Mary Ann!
Ice cream on top would be perfect Traci! I can’t get enough of summer berries!
Berry crumb bars are the best and these are just gorgeous!
Thanks Laura!
Fruit and berry desserts are the best during summer days (However, ice cream is a serious exception. I will almost always (roughly,95.7%) choose a rich and decadent flavor over a fruit one). These berry bars look and sound utterly delicious. I would definitely like a slice or five of this, perhaps with a cherry or blueberry-lavender base. Well done, Mary Ann!
Thanks so much Ben! I’ve made these a few times already this summer. They’re always a hit.
These berry bars look wonderful . Desserts with fresh are just the best. I have been making galettes and cobblers.
Isn’t summer great Gerlinde?! So many fabulous fruit desserts!
These look incredible MaryAnn! I can’t wait to try these…my boyfriend definitely will approve!
Thanks so much Caroline! I think you’ll both approve!
These are the prettiest! I love that crumb topping!
Thanks Tieghan!
I hear ya, I used to be the same and while I still love chocolate, it takes a back seat in the summer because summer fruit is THE BEST and so short lived. Bring on these crumb bars!
Gina these are total summer favorites! All those fresh berries…can’t get enough! Have a great day!
The BEST way to use summer berries!
Agreed!
I’m a fruit lover over chocolate – probably a minority – but give me a berry bar or cherry pie and I’m happy – with maybe a little scoop of vanilla ice-cream. That’s my kind of summer dessert. Love these, Mary Ann!
PERFECT with vanilla ice cream Geraldine! Thanks!
I love crumb bars! These look wonderful.
Me too Jennifer! Thanks so much!
I would choose this over chocolate any day of the week! I love all the fruity goodness and that crumb topping is calling my name! Pinned!
Thanks Annie! I still love my chocolate, but fruit desserts win my heart during the summer!
Mary Ann these bars are just perfect for summer! I will eat the whole thing! ???? but I don’t want to be rude, I’ll take half!
You got it Gaila!
This is like love at first sight. Its so beautiful i am not sure i can eat it but i think i will. This is a fantastic creation, a work of art!
Your comment made my day Andy!! Thanks so much! You’ll definitely want to eat these. They’re delish!
I confess that I still like chocolate best, but these do look very tempting!!
Thanks Natasha!
Dave is more the fruit dessert kind and I am the chocolate, but I would definitely eat a few of these beauties. So perfect for Summer!
I think Dave deserves a few!
Oh wow, this looks incredible. I love berries and these bars are perfect for an afternoon bbq. It is already darn hot here in LA, so this recipe is so refreshing.
You’ll love these Cindy, I guarantee it! They’re a summer favorite of mine.
You had me at berries and crumb topping. What a perfect way to make summer berries even more delicious!
Definitely give these bars a go Marissa! You won’t be disappointed!