As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, my hot UN-airconditioned kitchen and wedding-planning mania has made baking less enjoyable than it used to be. It seems like my stress-reliever was becoming a stress-creator which is not the point at all! So, I decided not to force it, and to only bake when it still makes me happy and calm. Lucky for me and you, I didn’t have to wait long for a morning like this to come my way. NYC was blessed with a little cold front a few days ago, and my kitchen was actually pleasant! It’s amazing how that little shift made me inspired and excited again.
Anyway, I’ve been wanting to make these bars for ages, and since they are quick, easy and perfectly in season, I thought it was just the thing. Blackberries don’t get as much love in my kitchen as they probably should, so I’m glad I stuck with them instead of switching for another fruit. (Which you totally can do by the way. ) The buttery crust and tart filling are really reminiscent of a summer pie, without most of the work.
A simple crust serves as both the crunchy bottom of the bars as well as the crumbly topping. Fresh berries and a custard-like mixture are layered on top of the crust, with the remaining crumb on top. Warm out of the oven this would be delicious right away with a scoop of ice cream, but I chose to chill mine and cut them into gooey bars. I didn’t expect the color of the berries to be such a bright fuchsia color. They really make this such a colorful and delicious summer treat!
- Crust and Topping:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cups sugar
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1½ sticks unsalted butter, chilled
- Filling:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cups sugar
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅜ cup flour (6 tablespoons)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- 3 cups fresh blackberries
- To make the crust and topping, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8 inch baking pan.
- Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times to mix. Cut the butter into ½-inch cubes, and add to the flour mixture. Process until the butter is evenly distributed but the mixture is still crumbly, 30-60 seconds. (or you can use a pastry blender or two knives to do this!)
- Reserve ¾ cup of the mixture to use as the topping. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the pan, and bake 12-15 minutes. Cool for at least 10 minutes.
- To make the filling, whisk the eggs in a large bowl, then add the sugar, sour cream, flour, vanilla and salt. Gently fold in the berries and spoon the mixture over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the filling, and bake 45 to 55 minutes or until the crust is golden.
- Cool at least 1 hour before cutting into bars, or scoop out of the pan to serve cobbler-style.
Recipe adapted from: The Pastry Queen by Rebecca Rather
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
I love the look of these!! They look so dangerously delicious!
Nicola Quinn says
Oh, my. These sound fantastic! I love the colour of the berries. Pinned! :)
Jess Wakasugi says
How ironic, today I just posted Blueberry Pie Bars from Kirbie’s Cravings and it looks like ours are almost [if not] the exact same! Small world ;)
Your bars look phenomenal though, but what doesn’t on your blog?! I may have to try your version sometime soon!
Elizabeth says
Blackberries are one of my favorites!
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
I can’t wait to have my blackberries growing in my backyard to make these delicious bars
Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen says
Ok so I tried a smiliar version of these bars (with blueberries) and I may have pulled them out of the oven too soon because they never quite set. It can certainly just be a temperature problem with my oven but what’s the best way to tell (especially in the center) when these bars are done without over-baking them? Should the center still be a bit jiggley?
taravoss16 says
These look delicious! Going to try this with the fresh raspberries I just picked with the kiddos yesterday:)
Sallysbakingaddiction says
Audra, I just love how you used one simple base as both the crust AND he topping. I love it I can get away with doing that in fruit bars. It really makes the recipe come together so quickly! Blackberries deserve some love in my kitchen too, they are often overlooked. I too love the bright fuchsia color! This was such a nice post to read as I’m finding it hard to stay motivated to bake in the Baltimore heat!
Audra says
Annie- I think the center should be a bit jiggly and the crust on top should be golden. I think that baking these in an 8×8 vs 9×13 probably helps with that too.
Also- try chilling the whole pan thoroughly before cutting, that will help set the middle as well. :)
Annie @Annie's City Kitchen says
Thank you ! :)
Becca Looney says
I love the look of the bursted berries. Looks really great! :)
Jay @ LocalFood.me says
Another winner! I have how blackberries mellow when baked.
Dinnersdishesdessert says
I love these bars! The berries look amazing, and it sounds delicious! Hope the wedding is coming together!
Audra says
Thanks Erin! Things are a bit hectic- but certainly coming together. I’m getting SO excited!
Audra says
I had no idea how pretty a color they’d be! Miss you guys!
Audra says
Thanks Becca! They were a delicious summery treat!
Audra says
Yes- the multi-purpose topping/crust is a must have for me these days! Summer is almost over and then we’ll be back to toasty oven days again!
Audra says
Ooh- those would be great too!
Audra says
Wow- that sounds amazing. I want a blackberry bush!!
Audra says
After these- mine too! :)
Audra says
Thanks Jess! I’m going to check out your blueberry ones too!
Audra says
Thanks Nicola!
Audra says
They were dangerous…I had to take them to my book club to get them off my hands!!
Pie guy says
These were phenomenal!!! I substituted raspberries and it was tart and delicious.
Let Me Eat Cake says
bookmarked! i’ll be baking this when I know it will be stress relief baking not forced baking :)
Cathchoichoi says
Hi Audra!
Have you ever heard of a website called foodwishes.com? Check it out! There’s lots of fun and easy recipes
Thanks!
Catherine