Blackberry Lemon Bars
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Indulge in these delightful blackberry lemon bars that perfectly blend the sweetness of ripe blackberries with the tangy brightness of fresh lemon. This dessert is not only delicious but also incredibly simple to make. Just grab a few basic ingredients and one mixing bowl. Each bite offers a burst of vibrant flavor and a soft, buttery texture that melts in your mouth.
Whip up a batch of these delectable lemon blackberry bars in under an hour, featuring fresh lemon zest and juicy blackberries. Their soft texture, vibrant flavor, and stunning color make them the ideal treat for parties, brunches, or bake sales.
The rich, buttery base complements the tangy lemon and sweet berries, creating a perfect harmony in every bite. These easy blackberry bars are a crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to steal the show and disappear in no time.
Ingredients
For the ingredient measurements and the entire recipe, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the blog post where the recipe card is located.
- Butter: I prefer to use unsalted so I can control the amount of salt in the recipe.
- Sugar
- Salt
- Blackberries: Fresh or frozen berries work with this recipe.
- Lemon zest and juice: Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Vanilla
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Baking powder
Step by Step Directions
For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the bottom of the blog post to the recipe card.
- Cream the butter, sugar, and salt together.
- Mix in blackberries, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Add the flour, cornstarch, and baking powder and mix until combined.
- Spread batter into a lined baking pan and bake until puffed up and almost set.
- Make the glaze with powdered sugar, lemon juice, and heavy cream.
- Spread the glaze over cooled bars.
Tips For Success
- Swap in frozen blackberries if you don’t have fresh ones. Thaw them and add them to the batter with their juices.
- Skip the glaze and go with lemon curd or lemon buttercream if you want a tangier finish on top.
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Blackberry Lemon Bars
Ingredients
For the bars
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 ounces (170 g) fresh blackberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (130 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
For the glaze
- 1 cup (120 g) confectioners' sugar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
Make the bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 8-inch square pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving a 1-inch overhang on all sides. Spray lightly with nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and salt with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add in the blackberries and their juices, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla, and beat until blackberries are broken down and incorporated, about 3 minutes. The mixture will still look slightly curdled.
- Mix in flour, cornstarch, and baking powder on low speed until combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until bars are puffed and almost set. Set the pan on a wire rack and allow the bars to cool completely.
Make the glaze
- Whisk the confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and heavy cream together until smooth.
- Spread the glaze over cooled bars in an even layer. Allow glaze to set for about 15 minutes; lift bars from the pan using the parchment overhang. Cut and serve.
Notes
- Frozen blackberries can be used in place of fresh. Thaw them, then toss them into the batter with their juices.
- Store the bars at room temperature for up to three days. Use plastic wrap, foil, or an airtight container to keep them from drying out.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided is for convenience and as a courtesy only. It is not guaranteed to be accurate because nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator and input the exact ingredients and brands you used in the recipe.