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Two blueberry crumb bars stacked on top of each other, showing layers of golden crust, juicy blueberry filling, and crumbly topping, with more bars and a cooling rack in the background.

Lemon Blueberry Bars

These Lemon Blueberry Bars have a buttery crumble base, jammy blueberry filling and bright citrus flavor that come together with no fuss.
Author: Nick Makrides
4.67 from 15 votes
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Prep 20 minutes
Cook 1 hour
Cooling 2 hours
Total 3 hours 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 9
Calories 521 kcal

Ingredients

Shortcrust Base

  • 450 g all-purpose flour plain flour
  • 1 lemon zested
  • 180 g caster sugar superfine sugar
  • 1/2 tsp fine salt
  • 250 g unsalted butter chilled and cubed (see notes)
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 20 g cold water

Blueberry Filling

  • 450 g frozen blueberries
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 40 g caster sugar
  • 24 g corn starch corn flour
  • Powdered sugar to dust

Instructions
 

Shortcrust Base

  • Prepare baking tin - Preheat your oven to 180C / 350F (fan off), 160C / 320F (fan on). Spray the bottom and sides of a square 22cm / 9-inch baking tin and line the bottom and sides with baking paper leaving overhand on two sides. Set aside.
  • Mix lemon zest and sugar - To the bowl of a food processor (see notes for handmade method) add the sugar and lemon zest and pulse to combine. The oil in the lemon zest will rub into the sugar making the dough aromatic.
  • Add dry ingredients - Add the flour and salt and pulse to mix. Then add the cold butter cubes and pulse until the butter reaches the size of peas. The mixture will be nice and crumbly.
  • Add egg yolks and iced water - Add the egg yolks and pulse before slowly pouring in the cold iced water while the mixer is running on high. The mixture will begin to clump into large pieces. Stop the mixture. If it comes together when squeezed in your hand, it’s done.

Blueberry filling

  • Mixing everything together - Add the frozen blueberries, lemon juice, sugar and corn starch to a large mixing bowl and use a spoon to mix until the blueberries are coated with everything.
  • Assembly - Add 3-4 of the crumble into the bottom of the baking tin and use your hands to press firmly and evenly around the bottom. Add the blueberry mixture on top and spread evenly. Then crumble the remaining dough mixture on top.
  • Bake - Bake for 55-60 min. Allow to cool to room temperature before popping them in the fridge for an hour. Slice into 9 bars, dust with powdered sugar and serve.
  • Chill - Once it’s baked, let it cool to room temperature before covering with plastic wrap and chilling in the fridge for a couple hours. I like leaving it in there overnight. Use a large sharp knife to slice into 3x3 bars. Dust with icing sugar and serve!

Notes

Making the crumble by hand - To make the crumble by hand add the sugar and lemon zest into a large mixing bowl and rub the zest into the sugar. Then add the flour and salt and mix using a spoon. Next, add the butter and begin smooshing it with your fingers until it crumbles into pea sized pieces. Add the egg yolks and cold water and continue the same technique with your fingers until everything is evenly combined and the mixture begins coming together in large crumbs that stick together when squeezed in your hand.
Butter - Make sure the butter is straight out of the fridge. This helps ensure the butter doesn’t soften too much as it’s being mixed. It also results in a nice crumble and flaky biscuit base that is light in texture.
Blueberries - Depending on what season it is where you are, you can use fresh blueberries for this recipe or frozen ones. Frozen blueberries work great, are often just as fresh and are much cheaper than using fresh blueberries.
Storage - Blueberry Bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days in the fridge
Nutrition - is an approximate and is based on per slice.
A note on measurements - This recipe uses weight measurements for the most accurate results. Cup measurements can vary depending on where you are, which affects the precision needed for a recipe like this. Here is where you can learn more about how to measure ingredients using digital kitchen scales.

Nutrition

Calories:521kcal | Carbohydrates:56g | Protein:7g | Fat:24g | Saturated Fat:15g | Polyunsaturated Fat:1g | Monounsaturated Fat:6g | Trans Fat:1g | Cholesterol:103mg | Sodium:139mg | Potassium:164mg | Fiber:3g | Sugar:12g | Vitamin A:783IU | Vitamin C:14mg | Calcium:30mg | Iron:3mg
Keyword Bars, blueberries, Lemon
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