Mixed Berry Crumb Bars

Mixed Berry Crumb Bars
Last week I picked up a case of mixed berries; blueberry, raspberry and blackberry. We proceeded to eat them one by one in desserts, ice cream, salads, smoothies and with yogurt. That is until I made puff pastry shells with pastry cream, whip cream and berries. The pastry cream took me five tries to get right, yep that’s right five tries and two days. To top it all off I did not photograph one picture of anything, not even the finished result. In the end they were good but not Paris, France good. When finished with the above dessert I still had a little over two cups of fruit left and these delicious mixed berry crumb bars were the end result.

First of all I got the recipe for these bars right the first time, thank goodness! Plus they are incredibly easy to make. The berries came out tangy and sweet and the lemon zest and juice really brightened up the flavor. This recipe is from Deb of "Smitten Kitchen" who adapted the recipe from AllRecipes.com. I halved the recipe and used a combination of berries but otherwise kept her recipe as written, (her recipe uses blueberries only). These mixed berry bars are also delicious served warm on a plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Store in the refrigerator for best results.

Mixed Berry Bar 


Mixed Berry Crumb Bars

Enjoy the best that summer has to offer with these mixed berry bars.

INGREDIENTS:

Base and topping
  • 1/2 cup organic cane sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • Zest of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks
  • 1 large egg
For the berries
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1/4 cup organic cane sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 cups fresh berries ( I used blueberry, raspberry and blackberry)

INSTRUCTIONS:

For base and topping
  1. Preheat the oven to 375F°. Grease a 8 x 8” pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, stir together sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg. Dough will be a little crumbly. Divide dough in half. Pat one half into the bottom of the prepared pan.
For the berries
  1. In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice until smooth and no lumps. Gently mix in the berries. Scoop the berry mixture over the dough. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.
  2. Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
  3. Store in refrigerator.
Created using The Recipes Generator

Comments

  1. These berries were spectacular. We are so fortunate here in Oregon with the abundance of fruit, berries and seafood. Don

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  2. I am going to have to try this recipe, it looks delicious. These crumb bars remind me of a cake we have in Germany. Your photos are great, congratulations.

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  3. These look perfect. I am having the same issues with trying to get things right. Enjoy all the sasonal berries.

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    1. Thanks Tandy, utube videos helped but it took some time to get things right.

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  4. Heavenly! I have weakness for anything streusel and summer berries!

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  5. This recipe is calling my name! I made mixed berry jam yesterday that failed completely :( so I hear you. I still have berries so I need to make this one :) Thanks for the beautiful recipe!

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    1. Thanks Tricia, so nice to have others to commensurate with.

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  6. These bars definitely look "Paris France" good! This is one of my all time favorite types of dessert. Fruit with lots of buttery crumbles, yum!!

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    1. Thanks Chris, can't beat the fresh berries this time of year.

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  7. wow!! these crumb bars look amazing. I can finish all of it. Superb. Yum :)

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    1. Thanks Ritu, me too, trying hard not to finish them all myself.

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  8. I love crumb bars! These look delicious - perfect for summer berries. Sorry you had issues making your cream though!

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    1. Thanks Amy, these things happen I suppose but the pastry cream was a tough one for me.

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  9. Pastry cream and pastry does not have to be Paris good to be scrumptious....However, I'm very grateful you had fruit left over to make this fantastic looking crumble. Definitely saving this recipe, Cheri =)

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  10. Wow. Berry heaven. I love it. D

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  11. This is a beautiful recipe for mixed berries! Love crumb bars! I made something like these years ago and will try your recipe. WE just changed our site and still working out all the kinks, but finally everyone can Pin our recipes! Hope you are having a great summer! xo

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    1. That is fantastic, on my way over to check out your site........

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  12. These mixed berry crumb bars looks so pretty and delicious. I often make crumb bars with blueberries, so I can tell I am going to love these bars. Have a great week ahead. :)

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    1. Thanks Anu, the berries are so good I almost feel bad about baking with them, almost....;)

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  13. Don't you hate it when you keep tweaking a recipe and it still doesn't quite come together! (Pushing pastry cream to the back of my list...) Good save switching to this!

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    1. Thanks Inger, yes these crumb bars were much easier and oh so delicious.

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  14. Nothing better than a crumb bar with fresh summer fruit! Your berry version looks terrific!!

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  15. this is a fine way to use a stick of butter! glorious filling and beautiful bars!

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  16. Love berries! And I always like to jumble up several different kinds -- so much flavor that way. These treats look terrific -- perfect snack. Or breakfast. :-)

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    1. Thanks John, we love berries too, one of the best things about summer.

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  17. Cheri, these bars are the perfect summer treat! Nothing beats a dessert or treat with fresh summer fruit. I've done the same thing, with messing a recipe up, but these bars definitely make up for it. Thanks for the recipe!

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    1. Thanks Pam, it's always nice to know your not the only one, we sure love our summer berries.

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  18. I'm pretty sure these must have been irresistible! I love how you can pack something like this up for a picnic or plate it and serve it with a scoop of ice cream for dessert after a dinner. Looks fabulous.

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    1. Thanks Monica, yes you are right these would be perfect for a picnic.

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  19. We have been getting SO MANY berries in our CSA box lately! I really need to bake up these bars! They look fantastic!

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    1. Sounds like you belong to a great CSA Ashley, thats great.

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  20. Wow, five tries? I've made pastry cream and know it's not a short process to get it cooked and smooth. It's so good when done right! Your bars look absolutely delicious without it :)

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    1. Hi Susan the first 4 times I tried it without cornstarch, the 5th with.....

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  21. When I saw this photograph on Instagram I fell in love just a little… OK, a lot! I know the fancy tart sounds so much nicer, but this one is pure comfort and makes me think of my mom.

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    1. Thanks David, memories are one of the best things about food.

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  22. This makes me want to go see if I still have any fresh berries that need to be picked! I'll be checking first thing tomorrow :)

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