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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
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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
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Common Recipe 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.