These blueberry lemon crumble bars are the ultimate spring and summer dessert. With a zesty lemon shortbread base, juicy blueberry filling, and golden crumble topping, each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
Ingredients:
For the Crust and Crumble: 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar Zest of 1 lemon 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt For the Blueberry Filling: 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1 heaping cup of this mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake the crust for 12–14 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. In a bowl, toss blueberries with sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and cornstarch until evenly coated. Spread the blueberry mixture evenly over the warm crust. Crumble the reserved dough over the top, leaving some blueberries peeking through. Bake for 30–35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the blueberries are bubbly. Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing. For cleaner cuts, chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
Decoration Tips:
Powdered Sugar Finish: Once the bars have cooled completely, dust the tops with powdered sugar using a fine mesh sieve. This gives a beautiful snow-dusted look that enhances the contrast of the golden crumble and deep blueberry filling. Extra Blueberries on Top: For serving, place a few fresh blueberries on top of each bar right before plating. This adds a pop of color and makes them look freshly made, even if you prepared them in advance. Lemon Zest Garnish: Sprinkle a little freshly grated lemon zest over the top of the cooled bars to boost visual appeal and enhance the citrus aroma. Neat Slicing: To get perfect edges, use a sharp knife wiped clean between each cut. For extra finesse, slice off the outer edges and serve the inner bars for a uniform bakery-style presentation. Serving Platter Styling: Arrange the bars on a white or pastel plate to highlight the bright berries. Scatter a few lemon slices or curls around the edges, and add some edible flowers or mint leaves if desired for a seasonal touch. Happy Baking. #blueberry #blueberries #lemonbars #lemondessert #crumblebars #dessert
