Crumbly, tender pie crust and sweet juicy blackberries combine to make these easy Blackberry Pie Bars! Enjoy all the deliciousness of pie without rolling out the pie dough!
Dreamy Blackberry Pie in Dessert Bar Form
I’m a shameless fan of “lazy” pie recipes. Recipes like my Skillet Berry Cobbler, or these super-easy, super-delicious blackberry pie bars have all the fruity, juicy flavor of a perfect homemade pie, without the need to roll out a perfect pie crust every time!
These blackberry slab pie bars are bursting with blackberries in every bite. Surrounded by a thick and buttery pie crust, these bars are the best light dessert or sweet snack. The best part is, you can make these dessert bars with almost any berries you have on hand! Serve your bars warm with a scoop of ice cream for a blissful berry treat.
What You’ll Need
- Blackberries: I just love making these easy pie bars when blackberries are in season! You can’t beat the juicy, sweet-tart flavor of fresh blackberries. If you’re looking for other options, see my suggestions in the sections below!
- Lemon: Lemon zest brings a little something extra to the pie crust, while lemon juice brightens the berry filling.
- Cinnamon: Including cinnamon in the pie crust gives it a nice hint of warmth and really compliments the berries!
- Cornstarch: This helps thicken up the blackberry filling a bit.
- Butter: Chilled, unsalted butter, cut into cubes.
- Flour & Sugar: All-purpose flour is my go-to when making a classic pie dough, as is white granulated sugar.
- Vanilla Extract
- Egg
- Baking Powder
- Salt
Can I Use Frozen Berries Instead?
Both fresh or frozen blackberries will work for this dessert. If you do opt for frozen berries, let them thaw and drain off the excess juice beforehand.
How to Make Blackberry Pie Bars
Like classic pie dough, this recipe begins with cold butter cut into squares. A food processor will have the dough ready in minutes! You can also make the dough by hand, even if it takes a little longer. Here’s how to make these easy blackberry pie bars:
Prepare the Dough: Pulse together the dough ingredients in a food processor. If you don’t have a food processor handy, you can use a fork to cut the butter into the flour until it’s crumbly. Smooth one half of the dough into the bottom of a greased baking pan.
Assemble: Toss the blackberries in a mixture of sugar and lemon juice. Sprinkle the berries over the crust layer, and then crumble the remaining dough over top.
Bake: Bake the layered pie bars in a preheated oven until the tops are just browned. Be mindful to not leave the bars in too long, which risks burning the bottom! The bars will need to cool completely before you slice them.
Tips for Success
- Use Fresh Ingredients: If you buy fresh blackberries for these pie bars, make sure to store them in the fridge and use them within three days for best results!
- Don’t Let the Tops Get Too Brown: The tops of the bars will be a light golden color, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t done! A slight browning is what you’re after. If the tops are too dark, it likely means that the bottom is burnt or overcooked.
- Let the Bars Cool: It’s best to allow the blackberry pie bars to cool completely before slicing and serving, as the filling will hold together when it’s cold. You can even place them in the fridge to help the cooling process along, if you’re in a hurry.
Can I Use Different Fruit in These Bars?
Yes! The blackberries in this recipe can be traded for raspberries and blueberries with equally delicious results. You can even try a mixed berry medley!
Strawberries can also be used, though they’ll need to be sliced and laid out on paper towels to absorb the excess liquid. The overall texture of the bars may also be slightly different. (If you want to try something special with strawberries, check out my Strawberries and Cream Hand Pies!)
Other fruits like peaches, apples, and cranberries are all just as great in these dessert bars. Try using lemons to make easy, zesty lemon bars! This recipe is so versatile, and the best for any season!
Serving Suggestions
Warm or cold, these juicy blackberry pie bars are wonderful served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for an easy dessert.
Enjoy the bars alone for a quick and tasty snack to serve with coffee or tea. You can even serve them with homemade iced tea or southern sweet tea in the summer. Bring them to potlucks, BBQs, or family gatherings – the flavor is just so delicious!
Storage Instructions
Store these berry pie bars in the fridge, airtight for up to 3 days. Use an airtight container or cover them in plastic wrap! For longer storage, I’d suggest freezing them following the instructions below.
Do Fruit Bars Freeze Well?
These bars freeze very well, and can be transferred to a freezer-safe container to store frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw the bars in the fridge before serving.
More Tempting Blackberry Recipes
- Blackberry Cobbler
- Blackberry Sorbet
- Sweet Hoecakes With Blackberry Rum Sauce
- Blackberry Smash Cocktail
Homemade Blackberry Pie Bars
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Zest and juice of one lemon, divided
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1 inch slices
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Filling:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups fresh blackberries
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
- In a food processor, pulse together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and lemon zest. Add the butter, egg and vanilla extract. Pulsing until dough is crumbly.
- Pat half of dough into the bottom of the prepared pan, saving the remaining dough for the topping.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Gently mix in the blackberries. Sprinkle the blackberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown (you are only looking for the top to slightly brown, if you cook for too long – the bottom will burn).
- Cool completely before cutting into squares. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
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