These Easy Blueberry Crumble Bars are filled with sweetened plump, juicy vanilla and citrus-hinted blueberries then layered on top of a shortbread crust and topped with a buttery crumble! These are so addictive!
What Is a Blueberry Crumble?
Crumbles are a cousin to pies but much easier to make. They contain a sweetened filling of blueberries and spices sandwiched between a simple “no-rolling required” crust and crumble topping!
I love the ease of making them as well as their comforting flavors. I first fell in love with crumbles after tiring of making my family cobblers and pies.
When I realized how easy they were to make, I started making them all the time with any fruit I had on hand starting with my strawberry crumbles which were a hit!
The creation of crumble bars came later when I realized that I would love a crumble in hand form, something I could grab and eat whenever I had the craving. From peach crumble bars to now blueberry crumble bars, I have truly found one of the world’s most perfect and easy treats.
Why You Will Love These Blueberry Bars
- A handheld way to enjoy all the flavors of blueberry crumble or blueberry crisp in much less time!
- Perfect buttery, crisp crust and crumble topping with sweet and warm blueberries. So good!
- An easy dish to take to gatherings, barbecues, and potlucks!
- It’s not much more work to make a double batch so they’re great for feeding a crowd!
- The crumble gives that perfect amount of crunch when you bite into them. The versatility of this dessert will make you a believer, just like crumbles did for me.
Ingredients
This crumble topping has most of the ingredients that are used to make a pie crust. However, it’s way easier to make because its rustic texture easily presses together to create something special. Here’s a closer look at what you need to make these blueberry crisp bars.
- Flour: All you need is all-purpose flour to make the crust and crumble topping as well as a bit to help thicken the blueberry filling.
- Sugar: Since we are creating a sweet but not savory crumble, a bit of sugar really adds a nice flavor to the crumble mixture and also sweetens the blueberries a bit more.
- Leavening: You want the crust and topping to have a little lift when it bakes so we’re using a bit of baking powder.
- Butter: Butter is essential to this crumble topping. Just like in a pie crust, it must be incredibly cold. The cubes are cut into the dry ingredients to create that crumble.
- Egg: It acts as a binder for the crust and also additional richness.
- Blueberries: Fresh blueberries work best but you can always use frozen blueberries as well.
- Cinnamon: Really gives your berry bars the flavors of blueberry pie.
- Lime juice: Brightens the mix with citrus flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Gives desserts their gentle warming flavors.
All these ingredients bake up perfectly for the best blueberry dessert bars. I especially love to serve them warm with vanilla ice cream.
How to Make Blueberry Crumble Bars
These crumble blueberry bars are all you will ever want and need in a dessert. Simple, quick to create, and absolutely buttery, sweet and juicy from the bountiful berries. Here’s the main steps that go into making them.
- Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and whisk together.
- Add the cold butter and cut it into the flour using two forks or a pastry cutter.
- Add the egg yolk and cold water and slowly mix it in.
PRO TIP: Don’t worry if the dough seems really crumbly. It should be!
- Press half of the crumble mixture into your prepared pan.
- Stir together the blueberries, lime juice, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a mixing bowl until combined.
- Spread the blueberry filling on top of the bottom crust in the pan.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumble topping over the top of the blueberry filling.
- Bake your blueberry crumble bars until golden brown and set. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature before cutting them into squares and serving.
If you want to add more berry flavor to your blueberry dessert, add a scoop of blueberry ice cream or strawberry ice cream.
How to Store
Since these bars contain fruit, I think it’s a good idea to store them in the refrigerator, especially in the hot Summer. Not only does storing them in a cool spot help keep the berries fresh, but it also allows them to keep shape and last longer.
Leftover bars will last for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Another option is to store these in the freezer to extend their shelf life for up to three months. They will thaw quickly on the counter at room temperature for an hour.
They’re great straight from the fridge, but my favorite way to enjoy them is by warming them up in the microwave for a few seconds. Even better, crumble the warm bar over vanilla ice cream for even more amazingness! I love to do this to other bars like my Peach Crumb Bars and Apple Bars.
Expert Tips
- Don’t thaw frozen blueberries if using them. Just roll them in a little flour so it soaks up some of the additional wetness as it bakes in the oven.
- Use cold butter and cold water for the crust! This is what makes your crumble crust light, flaky, and crumbly.
- Blueberry crumb bars are best served warm and even better with a scoop of ice cream!
- Allow the bars to cool to room temperature before cutting them. This allows them to set so they don’t fall apart when cut.
FAQs
Sure you can use sliced strawberries, blackberries, raspberries or even a mixture!
Sure thing! Use a 9 x 13 baking pan instead of the square to make them all in one pan.
More Blueberry Dessert Recipes
- Blueberry No Churn Ice Cream
- Blueberry Hand Pies
- Blueberry Lemon Cake
- Blueberry Crunch Cake
- Berry Icebox Cake
*Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating and leave comments below!* Post a photo of how your version of the recipe came out on Instagram (using #grandbabycakes)!!
Blueberry Crumble Bars
Ingredients
For the Crumble and Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch salt
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter cold and cut into cubes
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon cold water
For the Blueberry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Crumble and Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare a 8×8-inch baking pan with the non-stick coating of your choice.
- For the crumble and crust, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
- Next, cut in the cold butter using two forks or a pastry cutter then slowly mix in the egg yolk and cold water. Don’t worry if the dough seems really crumbly. It should be!
- Next take half of the crumble mixture and press into the prepared pan. The rest should be saved for the top of the bars.
For the Blueberry Filling:
- Stir together blueberries, lime juice, flour, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla until combined.
- To assemble, evenly add blueberry filling to top of crust.
- Next sprinkle the remaining crumble over the top of the blueberry filling.
- Bake for 30-38 minutes or until golden brown and set.
- Cool bars to room temperature then cut and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in April 2015. It has been updated with new content and images.
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This recipe is so delicious! How did you get the top layer to be crumbly and grainy? Mine came out looking like a pie crust
The crumble part needs to stay like crumbs. If it is over mixed with too much water or too little flour, it will get a bit too wet. Just add in water a bit at a time until you get the consistency you want. So glad you enjoyed!
This is the perfect recipe for when blueberries are in abundance at the farmers markets! I’d like to try this for the next church potluck I go to. These bars would be gobbled up quickly!
Anytime we have extra blueberries I always come back to make this crumble bar recipe. It is spot on and super tasty
Hey there! Just wanted to drop by and give a shoutout This recipe is an absolute winner! Every bite is pure bliss, from the buttery, crumbly crust to the burst of tangy blueberries. I appreciate the simplicity of the instructions and the accessible ingredients used. These bars were the perfect treat for a lazy afternoon or a delightful addition to any gathering. Thank you for sharing this gem of a recipe—I can’t wait to make it again! Keep up the fantastic work!
Such gorgeous crumble bars with that vibrant blueberry layer. The flavors sound absolutely incredible. Yum!
I made these bars yesterday for a Father’s Day cookout and OMG were they amazing! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Hello Joselin; Today for the umpteenth time I have made this delight with erythritol and yes, it works. You only have to put 1 tablespoon more for each measure of the recipe, the flavor will depend on the brand of erythritol, I tried the famous monk fruit, grrrrr, disgusting . Erythritol and of good quality, that is the “good quality” secret. take care of yourself precious. Kisses
These are delish!!!!. Love your recipe. Do I need to refrigerate these if not eating right away?