Description
These Triple Berry Crumble Bars combine a buttery shortbread crust with a luscious triple berry filling of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, topped with a sweet lemon-zested crumble. Perfectly balanced between tart and sweet, these bars offer a delightful mix of textures with a crisp base and juicy, bubbling fresh berries, making them an irresistible treat for any season or occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Shortbread Crust & Crumble:
- 1 1/4 cups (250 g) granulated white sugar
- 1 tbsp (10 g) lemon zest
- 1 cup (224 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups (312 g) all purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp salt
For the Triple Berry Filling:
- 1 3/4 cups (232 g/8 oz.) fresh raspberries
- 1 1/2 cups (240 g/8.5 oz.) fresh blueberries
- 1 3/4 cups (250 g/9 oz.) fresh blackberries
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated white sugar
- 1/4 cup (32 g) cornstarch
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃). Spray a 9×9 inch pan with non-stick spray and line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
- Flavor Sugar with Lemon Zest: In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar with the lemon zest. Rub them together using your fingertips to release the natural oils and intensify the lemon aroma.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Add the softened butter and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture. Using an electric mixer, cream on high speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is very light and fluffy.
- Add Flour and Salt: Incorporate the all-purpose flour and salt into the mixture. Mix on low speed just until the dough forms large clumps, being careful not to overmix.
- Divide Dough: Separate the dough by setting aside about one-third for the crumble topping and reserving the remaining two-thirds for the crust. For precision, use a kitchen scale to evenly divide the dough.
- Chill Crumble Dough: Place the crumble portion of the dough into the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the rest.
- Press Crust into Pan: Press the larger portion of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9×9 inch pan using your hands or a small offset spatula for a smooth finish.
- Prepare Berry Filling: In a large bowl, combine fresh raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Add granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the berries. Gently toss the mixture with a spatula to coat the berries evenly.
- Let Berries Sit: Allow the berry mixture to sit for a few minutes so the cornstarch can start to absorb the juices and thicken the filling slightly.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the berry filling over the pressed crust in the pan, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Crumble Topping: Remove the chilled crumble dough from the refrigerator and sprinkle it evenly over the berry layer.
- Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 65-70 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the berry filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and place them on a wire rack to cool completely. This step allows the filling to set before cutting into 16 bars. Enjoy your delicious treat!
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe berries for the best flavor and texture.
- If you prefer a more tart filling, reduce the sugar slightly in the berry mixture.
- Make sure to cool the bars completely before cutting to prevent the filling from oozing out.
- For easier cleanup, lining the pan with parchment paper is recommended.
- The bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat individual bars slightly before serving for a warm dessert experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 1/16th of recipe)
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg