I can’t believe we are already into September.
School has started, a new football season is underway, and berries will soon be replaced with apples and pumpkins.
While I have been looking ahead to fall desserts that I want to bake, I am stubbornly holding on to the last of the summer’s blackberries.
These fruit bars are a great way to showcase the delicious flavor of the blackberries. However, I have made these before and just used a jar of fruit preserves, so even if fresh fruit isn’t available, you can still make, and enjoy them!
Blackberry Fruit Bars
Prep time: 20 minutes Bake time: 22-28 minutes
Crumb mixture:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Blackberry filling:
1 pint blackberries
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon corn starch
2 teaspoons water
To make the filling:
In a small saucepan, combine the blackberries with the sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once the juices have started to boil, in a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Pour into the saucepan and stir. Let the mixture return to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer for 5 minutes. During this time, using a potato masher, mash the berries to the consistency you like (another option: once the berry mixture is cool, you could pulse it in a food processor). Remove from the heat, let cool, then refrigerate till needed.
To make the fruit bars:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 13×9 inch pan, either by greasing the pan or lining it with aluminum foil and then greasing it. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add in the melted butter and vanilla bean paste and stir until the mixture is well combined and resembles crumbs. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture, then press the rest onto the bottom of your prepared pan. Spread the blackberry filling over the crust, leaving 1/4 inch along all the sides. Sprinkle on the reserved crumb mixture. Place in a preheated oven and bake for 22-28 minutes or until the the top is set and the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before cutting into bars. Enjoy!
Made with love, not calories!
I love blackberries…these look like a perfect way to use up blackberries!
Julie, I think strawberries and blackberries are my favorite fruits. While you can make these fruit bars with preserves, I think they are that much better made with fresh fruit!