Blackberry Pie Bars

Section: Indulgent Desserts for Sweet Endings

These bars combine a rich, buttery shortbread crust with a juicy blackberry filling for a sweet, crumbly dessert. Using fresh or frozen berries, the filling is thickened with cornstarch and brightened with lemon juice and zest. The bars bake to a golden finish and cool to hold together perfectly for slicing. Serve warm with ice cream or room temperature for a delightful treat that’s quick to make and portable for any occasion.

A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Recipe Author Maria
Updated as of Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:47:27 GMT
A stack of blackberry pie bars. Bookmark
A stack of blackberry pie bars. | foodbymary.com

Crumbly, tender pie crust and sweet juicy blackberries combine to make these Blackberry Pie Bars. Ready in under an hour, you can enjoy all the deliciousness of pie without having to roll out the dough!

A rich, buttery shortbread crust is wrapped around a juicy blackberry filling to create these blackberry pie bars. They bring pie-level satisfaction without the fuss of a regular pie and they’re ready in just about an hour! Just like blackberry cobbler, they are always a crowd favorite. You can serve them room temperature or warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Either way, they will disappear fast!

Key Ingredient Notes

Below you will find helpful notes and substitutions for a few key ingredients for this blackberry pie bar recipe. Visit the printable recipe card below for the full ingredient list and amounts.

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. Below is a quick step-by-step recipe overview, please scroll down to the printable recipe card for full instructions.

  • Make shortbread dough and press into pan lined with parchment paper.
  • Toss blackberries with lemon juice sugar cornstarch.
  • Spread the blackberry mixture and top with crumbled shortbread crust.
  • Bake until golden brown then cool and cut into squares.

When adding the crumb topping don’t press it down or compact the bars You want to leave it loose for a nice texture once baked

The tops of the bars will be a light golden color once done Keep a close eye on them as they bake you do not want to over bake them You are looking for a light golden brown color If your oven has hot spots turning the bars halfway through baking can make them bake more evenly

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

A stack of blackberry pie bars. Bookmark
A stack of blackberry pie bars. | foodbymary.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The filling should be set but still slightly jiggly in the center and the topping should be golden brown
Can I use other berries in this pie bar recipe?
Yes Raspberries blueberries or a mix of berries all work well Just keep the total amount the same Strawberries can also be used though they’ll need to be sliced and laid out on paper towels to absorb the excess liquid
What’s the best way to serve blackberry pie bars?
They’re great chilled or at room temp You can also warm them slightly and serve with whipped cream or ice cream
Do blackberry pie bars need to be refrigerated?
Yes store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container They’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days I like to let them come to room temperature before serving or warm them up if serving them with ice cream However some people prefer them cold Try them both ways to see which you prefer
Can I freeze blackberry pie bars?
Absolutely Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a freezer-safe container Freeze for up to 3 months Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving
A stack of blackberry pie bars. Bookmark
A stack of blackberry pie bars. | foodbymary.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I tell when the bars are done baking?

The filling should be set but slightly jiggly in the center, and the topping golden brown.

→ Can I use other berries instead of blackberries?

Yes, raspberries, blueberries, or mixed berries work well. Strawberries need slicing and draining before use.

→ What is the best way to serve these bars?

They’re delicious chilled, at room temperature, or warmed with whipped cream or ice cream.

→ Should leftover bars be refrigerated?

Yes, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Warm before serving if desired.

→ Can these bars be frozen?

Absolutely. Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Blackberry Pie Bars

Buttery shortbread crust with juicy blackberry filling baked into easy bars.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cooking Time
50 minutes
Overall Time
70 minutes
Recipe Author: Maria

Dish Category: Desserts

Recipe Difficulty: Beginner-Friendly

Cuisine: American

Serves: 9 Serving Size (9 bars)

Dietary Options: Vegetarian

What You’ll Need to Cook

→ Shortbread Crust

Ingredient 01 1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into squares
Ingredient 02 2 cups all-purpose flour
Ingredient 03 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Ingredient 04 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Ingredient 05 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Ingredient 06 Pinch of salt

→ Blackberry Filling

Ingredient 07 4 cups fresh or thawed frozen blackberries, drained
Ingredient 08 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Ingredient 09 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Ingredient 10 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Steps to Prepare

Step 01

Combine cold butter, flour, sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest, and salt. Pulse in a food processor until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 02

Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into a parchment-lined rectangular baking pan to form the crust.

Step 03

In a bowl, gently toss blackberries with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch until evenly coated.

Step 04

Spread blackberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the filling, leaving it loose for a crumbly texture.

Step 05

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes until topping is light golden brown and filling is set but slightly jiggly.

Step 06

Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to let the filling set. Refrigerate if needed to speed cooling.

Extra Cooking Tips

  1. Avoid pressing down the crumb topping to maintain a tender texture.
  2. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning if your oven has hot spots.

Must-Have Tools

  • Food processor or mixing bowl for dough preparation
  • Rectangular baking pan lined with parchment paper
  • Mixing bowl for blackberry filling

Allergen Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and seek expert advice if uncertain.
  • Contains gluten and dairy

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are for guidance and aren’t a replacement for professional advice.
  • Calories Count: 320
  • Fats: 14 grams
  • Carbs: 45 grams
  • Proteins: 3 grams