It’s July!!! Does that make you sad or excited? See I am probably the minority here- but I am so thankful that summer is moving along. I’m a fall girl 100%. A pumpkin-baking, sweater-wearing, leaf crunching lover through and through. There are absolutely things I can appreciate about summer- but most of those involve me leaving New York so since this is where I’m spending it- I can’t help but be excited that we’re that much closer to September. (And that means football- I am so excited for football.)
I’m going to be with my in-laws down south for the 4th of July, but I couldn’t leave you without a cute festive treat could I? These would be so pretty with a traditional lattice top, but my handy star-cookie cutters left me inspired to make them “star-spangled.”
A shortbread-type cooke crust serves as the base and topping, and a simple blueberry filing comes together in just a couple minutes. We brought these to a cookout over the weekend and everyone loved them as is, but I think warm with a scoop of ice cream would really up the “pie a la mode” deliciousness.
I am so looking forward to fleeing the city for a few days where I’ll have tons of hungry family members to bake for! (My sweet tooth still appears to be missing.) Hopefully when I come back I’ll have lots of fun things to share with you all- (plus a couple things I’m already planning.) I’m churning up a fresh fruity ice cream today that you can check for soon! Happy Monday!
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup sugar
- 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- Coarse sugar for sprinkling.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture until well blended. Cover and stick in the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the blueberries, lemon juice, sugar and cornstarch to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until sugar has dissolved and mixture has thickened. Allow to cool in the fridge until the dough is chilled.
- Roll two-thirds of the dough into an 8x8 square (Or the closest you can get- use your fingers to press the dough into the bottom of a greased 8x8 baking dish). Top with filling. Roll out remaining dough to ¼-in. thickness. Cut out stars and arrange evenly over filling- re-rolling dough if needed. (The dough will be a teeny bit crumbly so be gentle with it) Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and then cut into squares.
Adapted loosely from: Taste of Home
Tracey says
July 1, 2013 at 10:49 amThese are just the cutest, Audra! Blueberry pie is my favorite, I could eat it all summer long. Have a fun trip, I’m jealous you’re escaping all the rain we’ve been having :)
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
July 1, 2013 at 11:03 amHow cute are these?! Perfect for a bright and cheery Fourth dessert! Enjoy celebrating with your family!
Kate | Food Babbles says
July 1, 2013 at 11:15 amThis is so adorable!! And delicious I bet also. Love the festive nature with the stars. I’ll be headed south for 4th of July as well. Enjoy your trip!
Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen says
July 1, 2013 at 11:23 amAdorable! I’m absolutely a fall-lover too and I’m so glad Chicago has been having a really mild summer. Bring on the sweaters and boots. I’m ready!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
July 1, 2013 at 11:26 amFall is my very favorite season. I love the crisp air and its fresh scent. These bars look amazing! Enjoy your time with the family.
Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe says
July 1, 2013 at 11:34 amEven if we don’t celebrate 4th of July here in Italy, I definitely have to bake this pie because it’s just so cute! Oh, and you’re not the only 100% fall girl here, I can’t wait for September to start, too! If only time could pass quicker!
xo, Elisa
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
July 1, 2013 at 11:35 amI love Fall as well! Bring on the scarves and cute boots!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
July 1, 2013 at 12:07 pmThese are too cute! I’m so bad about making holiday themed desserts, and I always admire when people can. Especially delicious looking ones like this!
Miss M says
July 1, 2013 at 12:35 pmThese bring mince pies to my mind <3
tara says
July 1, 2013 at 1:09 pmI am a fall girl all the way too. And I am missing it so hard because in SoCal there’s not really fall. Like at all. And if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, they’re lying.
These sound awesome, and I LOVE the stars!! So festive!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
July 1, 2013 at 2:21 pmThis is so cute! I love summer but this weather is such a bummer… hoping we get some good weather before it gets cold again!
Becca from Cookie Jar Treats says
July 1, 2013 at 4:11 pmOh these really are adorable! Have a Happy 4th! :)
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
July 1, 2013 at 7:38 pmI think i”m excited it’s July…time is sure flying. These are so cute, Audra! I love all of those blueberries!
Wendy says
July 1, 2013 at 8:50 pmThese are so cute and holiday perfect! Lattice may look pretty but it is time consuming and a bit intimidating…to me, anyway. :) Shortbread with fruit sounds great!
Mimi @ Culinary Couture says
July 2, 2013 at 1:02 amThese are adorable and perfect for the 4th! Have fun with your in laws!
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says
July 2, 2013 at 10:15 amThese are SUPER adorable! I’m a fall girl all the way, too. COUNTING DOWN!! But loving all the summer produce in the meantime.
Nessa says
July 2, 2013 at 5:30 pmSo pretty and I love shortbread with fruit!
steph@stephsbitebybite says
July 3, 2013 at 9:22 amThese are too cute!
Baker Momma says
July 5, 2013 at 12:12 amMade these today and they were amazing! So perfectly themed, really delicious. I had enough cookie dough to make about 15 extra stars, so served the bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a star cookie nestled in. Everyone loved it!
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