Blueberry-Almond Bars

Almond-flavored crumb crust and topping sandwich a layer of blueberry preserves in these tasty Blueberry-Almond Bars. As a bonus to their fabulous flavor, they're really easy to make, too. 

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These Blueberry-Almond Bars are a riff on the classic Raspberry-Almond Bars recipe my Mom used to make a lot. In thinking about how delicious those bars are, I wondered if that recipe would be just as fabulous made with blueberry filling instead.

So I headed to the kitchen and whipped up this blueberry version to find out.  And the answer is --- Yes! Yes, a blueberry version of these classic crumble bars is every bit as delicious as their original raspberry counterpart.  In fact, my husband actually likes the Blueberry-Almond Bars even better than the raspberry.

Not only do I love the amazing taste of these bars, I also love that they're easy to make, too.

I absolutely love the flavors of these bars.  The blueberry filling and almond-studded crumble topping go beautifully together.  And a touch of almond extract in the crumble crust and topping wonderfully amps up that tasty almond flavor.

But not only do I love the amazing taste of these bars, I also love that they're easy to make, too.

What makes them so easy?  Two things, really:

1. Using blueberry preserves as the filling - The tasty blueberry filling is jarred blueberry preserves, which makes this recipe super simple to make.  Just pop the jar, and spread a layer of preserves on the bars' crust.  No need to simmer and thicken a homemade blueberry filling.

2. Making one crumble dough for both the crust and topping - To prepare the crust and topping, you mix up just one bowl of a simple crumble dough.  Some is then pressed into the bottom of the pan for the crust, while the rest is combined with some sliced almonds and sprinkled on top. Super easy!

Blueberry-Almond Bar Ingredients:

Blueberry-Almond Bars come together pretty easily with just a handful of ingredients.

For the crumb crust and topping, you'll need:

• Flour

• Old-fashioned oats

• Granulated sugar

• Butter

• Almond extract

• Sliced almonds 

For the blueberry filling, you'll need:

• Blueberry preserves

How to Make Blueberry-Almond Bars:

Blueberry-Almond Bars are really pretty easy to make.  You mix up just one bowl of crumb mixture that serves for both the crust and topping, and take advantage of jarred blueberry preserves as the filling for super easy prep.

To start a batch, line an 8" or 9" square baking pan with foil to create what's called a foil "sling."  The sling makes it easy to remove the bars from the pan for cutting, and also keeps any blueberry filling that strays during baking from sticking to the pan.

Lightly grease the foil with non-stick cooking spray.

Next, mix up a simple crumb mixture that will serve as both the bars' crust and crumble topping.

Combine some flour, old-fashioned oats, and sugar in a large bowl. Then add in butter and cut it into the flour-oat mixture with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until it resembles coarse crumbs.  

I've also been known to cut the butter in with a hand-held electric mixer on low speed, which works great and is super easy. -- As long as you keep the speed on low and stop mixing once the mixture resembles crumbs, you're good to go with this method.  You don't want to mix to the point of creating a moistened more-batter-like concoction. 

Stir in a bit of almond extract to flavor the crumb mixture.

Then remove 1 cup of the flour-oat mixture to a separate bowl, stir sliced almonds into it, and set it aside to serve as the bars' topping.

Press the remaining oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.  Use your fingers and the palm of your hand to press the flour-oat mixture pretty firmly into the pan.

Spread a layer of blueberry preserves over the top of the of the pressed oat mixture, leaving about a 1/2-inch border along the edges so the preserves don't seep out during baking.

Sprinkle the reserved flour-oat mixture (with the sliced almonds mixed in) evenly over the layer of preserves.  Press down gently to kind of adhere the topping to the blueberry preserves a bit.

Then bake everything together for about 30 minutes.

Once the Blueberry-Almond Bars have been baked and cooled, lift the entire slab out of the pan by the edges of the foil.  Place the slab, foil and all, onto a cutting board.

Peel the foil back from the edges, and then cut the slab into small bars.

And that's all there is to it to whip up a batch of these tasty little bars! Pretty easy, right?

Taking advantage of jarred blueberry preserves as the filling and using one simple crumble mixture for both the topping and crust, Blueberry-Almond Bars truly are easy to make.  But don't let that ease fool you -- despite being so simple, they taste absolutely amazing.

Check out these other super tasty dessert bar recipes:

• Raspberry-Almond Bars
• Maple-Date Bars
• Butterscotch Toffee Blondies
• Oreo Brownie Bars
• Lemon Bars
• Toffee Bars
• Crescent Pecan Pie Squares
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars
• Caramel-Walnut Bars
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies
• 7-Layer Cookies
• More cookies & bars

Thank you for stopping by The Kitchen is My Playground. We'd love to have you back soon!

blueberry bars, blueberry crumble bars, blueberry almond bars, blueberry squares

Cookies & Bars

American

Yield: about 12-15 bars

Author: Tracey | The Kitchen is My Playground

Blueberry-Almond Bars

Almond-flavored crumb crust and topping sandwich a layer of blueberry preserves in these tasty Blueberry-Almond Bars. As a bonus to their fabulous flavor, they're really easy to make, too.

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 45 Min

Ingredients

• 1 c. all-purpose flour
• 3/4 c. old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 c. granulated sugar
• 1/2 c. butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 1/2 to 2/3 c. blueberry preserves
• 1/3 c. sliced almonds

Instructions

1. Line an 8" or 9" square baking pan with foil; lightly grease foil.
2. Combine flour, oats, and sugar in a large bowl. Add butter and cut in with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in almond extract.
3. Reserve about 1 cup of the oat mixture. Press the rest of the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
4. Spread blueberry preserves over the top of the of the pressed oat mixture, leaving about a 1/2-inch border along the edges.
5. Mix almonds with reserved 1 cup of oat mixture; sprinkle evenly over preserves and press down gently.
6. Bake at 350℉ for 25-30 minutes until edges are golden. Cool in pan.
7. Lift by edges of the foil onto a cutting board and cut into small bars.

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