Incredible Blackberry Pie Crumble Bars! 💖

🍽️ Tip: These Incredible Blackberry Pie Crumble Bars are the perfect combination of a juicy, tangy blackberry filling and a buttery, crumbly topping. They're a wonderful dessert to serve during summer or fall gatherings, or simply as a delightful treat with your afternoon tea. Each bar contains around 200-250 calories, making it a delicious yet indulgent treat. These bars are best served at room temperature or chilled, and they are sure to become a favorite for pie lovers and fruit dessert enthusiasts alike.

🌟 Ingredients:

For the Crust & Crumble Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Blackberry Filling:

• 2 cups fresh blackberries (or frozen, thawed)

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

📝 Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Make the Crust and Topping:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cubed cold butter and use a pastry cutter or your hands to incorporate the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

   • Add the vanilla extract and mix again. Set aside about 1/2 cup of this mixture to use as the topping, and press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.

3. Prepare the Blackberry Filling:

   • In a medium saucepan, combine the blackberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently over medium heat until the blackberries release their juice and the mixture begins to thicken, about 5-7 minutes. Once the mixture is thickened, remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

4. Assemble the Bars:

   • Pour the blackberry filling over the prepared crust in the baking pan, spreading it evenly. Then, sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the top, covering the blackberries completely.

5. Bake the Bars:

   • Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Keep an eye on it toward the end to ensure the top doesn’t over-brown.

6. Cool and Serve:

   • Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. For best results, refrigerate for an hour or two before slicing to help the bars set and make them easier to cut.

🍦 Serving Suggestion: These Blackberry Pie Crumble Bars are best enjoyed on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra decadence.

💡 Energy-saving Tip: To save energy while baking, consider using a convection oven, which circulates hot air more efficiently, reducing baking time and energy consumption. You can also bake multiple batches at once if you have enough space in your oven.

💡 Nutritional Benefits and Considerations:

• Beneficial For: These bars provide a great source of antioxidants, especially from the blackberries, which support immune health and fight inflammation. They also contain fiber from the oats, which aids digestion.

• Not Suitable For: Those with gluten sensitivities should swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. People with berry allergies should avoid the blackberries and can substitute with other fruits like raspberries or blueberries. These bars also contain a moderate amount of sugar, so individuals who are monitoring their sugar intake should adjust accordingly.

💡 Additional Tips:

• If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can add an extra tablespoon of sugar to the blackberry mixture, depending on the sweetness of your berries.

• Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the crumble topping for an extra flavor boost.

• For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free butter as a substitute for the regular butter.