If buttery crumbly goodness and juicy berry filling sound like your kind of dessert dream, then these Blackberry Crumb Bars are about to become your new best friend. They’re golden, sweet, tangy, and packed with fresh blackberry flavor in every bite. The best part? You only need one dough to make both the base and the topping. Lazy baker win!

These bars are the perfect mix of rustic and refined—casual enough for a backyard picnic but special enough to bring to brunch or a holiday spread. They’re sweet, lightly tart, and oh-so-buttery with that melt-in-your-mouth crumble on top. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a hot cup of tea and… trust me, you’re going to fall hard for these.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients with big flavor payoff
• Fresh, juicy blackberry filling
• One dough = crust and crumble topping
• Perfect make-ahead dessert or snack
• Easily customizable with other berries or jam

Ingredients

For the Crust & Crumble

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Blackberry Filling

• 3 cups fresh blackberries (or frozen, thawed and drained)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar (adjust based on sweetness of berries)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, but highly recommended)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract. Add flour, baking powder, and salt, and mix until a crumbly dough forms—it should hold together when pinched.

Step 3: Press the Crust

Take about ⅔ of the dough and press it firmly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until it starts to set. Remove from oven but leave it on.

Step 4: Make the Filling

In a bowl, gently toss the blackberries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Let sit for 5–10 minutes while the crust cools slightly.

Step 5: Assemble the Bars

Pour the blackberry mixture over the warm crust, spreading evenly. Crumble the remaining dough on top—big chunks, small chunks, a little uneven is perfect.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Glory

Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the berries are bubbly.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing—this helps everything set up. For clean cuts, chill them in the fridge for 30 minutes first.

Tips for Berry Bar Success

• Use parchment paper for easy lifting and clean slices
• Don’t skip the lemon—it brightens up the berry flavor beautifully
• Want it sweeter? Sprinkle the top with coarse sugar before baking
• Make it ahead! These bars store well for 3–4 days in the fridge

FAQs

Can I use frozen blackberries?
Yes! Just thaw and drain them well to avoid a soggy crust.

Can I use other fruits?
Totally! Try raspberries, blueberries, or a mix. Even jam works in a pinch.

Can I freeze them?
Yep. Let them cool completely, slice, and freeze in layers with parchment. Thaw in the fridge before serving.

Conclusion

These Blackberry Crumb Bars are pure comfort in bar form—sweet, buttery, tart, and totally irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a summer gathering, a cozy Sunday afternoon, or just because you need a fruity dessert fix, these bars hit every note perfectly.

Blackberry Crumb Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

Blackberry Crumb Bars are buttery, fruity, and delightfully simple! These layered dessert bars feature a golden shortbread-style crust and crumble, bursting with juicy blackberries in the middle. They’re the perfect sweet treat for summer gatherings, bake sales, or afternoon tea.

---

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 large egg
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 4 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to cut it into the mixture until crumbly.
3. Mix in the egg until dough is just combined. Divide the dough in half and press half into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
4. In a separate bowl, gently toss the blackberries with 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
5. Spread the blackberry mixture evenly over the crust.
6. Crumble the remaining dough over the blackberry layer.
7. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the fruit is bubbly. Let cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.

---

Notes

• Use frozen blackberries without thawing to avoid excess moisture.
• For extra texture, add chopped nuts or oats to the crumble topping.
• Store bars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

---

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 95mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg

Watch How to Make Blackberry Crumb Bars