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Brown Butter Blueberry Crumb Bars

April 21, 2021 by Heather Smoke 2 Comments

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Oh, do I love a good crumb bar with fruit filling, and these blueberry crumb bars are just fantastic. Brown butter gives the crust and crumb topping a rich, nutty flavor that’s simply incredible. The blueberry filling is sweet, thick and jammy, spiced with vanilla and nutmeg. I’ve even made these with a little almond flour in the crumble, which is also so good with the brown butter and blueberries. These blueberry crumb bars are as delicious as a blueberry crumb pie, but so much easier!

You might also love these peach crumb bars, rhubarb oatmeal bars, and cranberry almond crumb bars.

Blueberry crumb bars arranged on a plate.

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Ingredients

Filling

  • Blueberries. I like to use frozen blueberries for baking blueberry pies and crumbles, since they’re generally more affordable than fresh blueberries.
  • Granulated Sugar. Sweetens the filling.
  • Corn Starch. Thickens the filling to a consistency like blueberry jam.
  • Nutmeg + Vanilla Extract. Flavor.
Blueberries.

Crust and Crumble Topping

  • Unsalted Butter. Browning the butter before making the dough gives the crust the most deliciously rich, nutty flavor. The butter also makes the crust and topping crisp.
  • All-Purpose Flour. Gives the dough strength and structure.
  • Dark Brown Sugar. Sweetness.
  • Coarse Kosher Salt. Balances the sweetness for the perfect salty sweet flavor.
  • Baking Powder. Gives the dough a bit of lift as it bakes.

See the recipe card at the end of the post for the full ingredients list and instructions.

Blueberry crumb bars arranged on a plate.

Instructions

Filling

  • Combine all the filling ingredients in a saucepan. Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil, while stirring frequently. Once it starts to thicken and bubble, stir constantly and cook for another 30-60 seconds.
  • Set the filling aside to cool slightly while you make the crust and crumble topping.
Blueberry pie filling in a bowl.

Crust and Crumble Topping

  • Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue to cook the butter, swirling the pan occasionally, until nutty brown solids form on the bottom of the pan. This should take about 5 minutes.
Hot brown butter in a bowl.
  • Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine 2 cups of the flour (reserving 1/2 cup of flour for later) with the brown sugar, salt and baking powder.
  • As soon as the butter is browned, use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan to scrape up all the browned bits. Pour the hot butter over the flour mixture. Stir with a spoon to form it into a soft dough.
  • Scoop 2/3 of the dough (reserving 1/3 of the dough for the crumb topping) into the prepared baking pan, and use your hands to press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Take the reserved 1/2 cup of flour and add it to the remaining 1/3 dough. Use a fork or pastry cutter to work the flour into the dough until you have a crumbly topping. Set aside.
  • After the crust bakes for 20 minutes, take the pan out of the oven. Pour the blueberry filling over the hot crust, then sprinkle the blueberries with the crumb topping. Bake for another 30 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
  • Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Blueberry crumb bars stacked on a plate.

Be sure to read all of my BAKING FAQs where I discuss ingredients, substitutions and common baking questions, so that you can be successful in your own baking!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you brown the butter first?

When you brown butter, the milk solids in the butter fall to the bottom of the pan, where they turn golden brown and develop a richer, nuttier flavor. The depth of flavor browned butter adds to baked goods is incredible.

How long do these bars stay fresh?

Store the bars in an airtight container, and they will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

Should I use fresh or frozen blueberries?

You can use either, but frozen blueberries are a great, inexpensive option for baking.

What other spices can I add to these?

I add nutmeg and vanilla to the blueberry filling, but you can also try cinnamon, cloves or cardamom. I also love substituting 1/2 – 1 cup of the all purpose flour with almond flour.

Blueberry crumb bars, one with a bite taken.

You Might Also Like

  • High altitude blueberry crumb muffins.
    Blueberry Crumb Muffins
  • A piece of no bake vanilla cheesecake with blueberry sauce.
    Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Blueberry Sauce
  • Rhubarb oatmeal bars on a copper cooling rack.
    Rhubarb Oatmeal Bars
  • A slice of blueberry pie topped with a scoop of ice cream.
    Blueberry Pie

Favorite Products


Did you love today’s recipe? Please rate the recipe and let me know in the comments what you thought! Also, be sure to follow Curly Girl Kitchen on Instagram, and tag me when you try one of my recipes so I can see all your delicious creations!

Blueberry crumb bars arranged on a plate.

Brown Butter Blueberry Crumb Bars

Heather Smoke
Delicious buttery crust and crumble topping, filled with a sweet, jammy blueberry filling.

All recipes on Curly Girl Kitchen are developed for high altitude at 5,280 feet. See FAQs for adjusting to higher or lower elevations.

5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings16

Ingredients
 

Filling

  • 1 lb frozen blueberries, thawed
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ tbsp corn starch
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, optional
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Crust and Crumble Topping

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, divided
  • ⅓ cup light or dark brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1 tsp coarse Kosher salt (if using table salt, use half the amount)
  • 1 tsp baking powder

Instructions
 

Filling

  • Combine all the filling ingredients in a saucepan. Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil, while stirring frequently. Once it starts to thicken and bubble, stir constantly and cook for another 30-60 seconds.
  • Set the filling aside to cool slightly while you make the crust and crumble topping.

Crust and Crumble Topping

  • Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue to cook the butter, swirling the pan occasionally, until nutty brown solids form on the bottom of the pan. This should take about 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine 2 cups of the flour (reserving 1/2 cup of flour for later) with the brown sugar, salt and baking powder.
  • As soon as the butter is browned, use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan to scrape up all the browned bits. Pour the hot butter over the flour mixture. Stir with a spoon to form it into a soft dough.
  • Scoop 2/3 of the dough (reserving 1/3 of the dough for the crumb topping) into the prepared baking pan, and use your hands to press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Take the reserved 1/2 cup of flour and add it to the remaining 1/3 dough. Use a fork or pastry cutter to work the flour into the dough until you have a crumbly topping. Set aside.
  • After the crust bakes for 20 minutes, take the pan out of the oven. Pour the blueberry filling over the hot crust, then sprinkle the blueberries with the crumb topping. Bake for another 30 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
  • Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Keyword Blueberry, Brown Butter, Crumb Bars
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Filed Under: Brownies and Bars

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Comments

  1. EE

    April 2, 2022 at 7:34 pm

    How do you recommend storing this after its baked? How long does it stay good for?

    Reply
    • Heather Smoke

      April 3, 2022 at 5:03 pm

      Store the bars in an airtight container, and they will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

      Reply

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