Blueberry Lattice Bars are a delightful dessert that combines the sweetness of blueberries with a buttery, flaky crust, creating a treat that’s perfect for any occasion. This recipe, adapted from Taste of Home magazine, promises an easy preparation process and yields a generous amount of bars, making it ideal for sharing or storing for later enjoyment.
Ingredients
- Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), softened
- Sugar: 1/2 cup
- Egg: 1 large
- All-purpose flour: 2 3/4 cups
- Vanilla extract: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Fresh blueberries: 3 cups
- Frozen blueberries: 1 cup
- Sugar: 1 cup (for the filling)
- Cornstarch: 3 tablespoons
Instructions
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Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup of sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, salt, and gradually mix in the flour until a dough forms.
- Shape the dough into a ball, cover it, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Chilling the dough helps with easier handling and enhances the texture of the crust.
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Prepare the Filling:
- In a saucepan, combine the fresh blueberries, frozen blueberries, 1 cup of sugar, and cornstarch.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
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Assemble and Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish.
- Roll out 2/3 of the chilled dough into a 14×10-inch rectangle. Carefully transfer it to the prepared baking dish, pressing it evenly onto the bottom.
- Spread the prepared blueberry filling over the crust.
- Roll out the remaining dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut it into 1/2-inch wide strips.
- Create a lattice crust over the blueberry filling by arranging the strips in a crisscross pattern.
- Trim any excess dough hanging over the edges of the baking dish.
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Bake and Serve:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, cut into bars of your desired size.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 185.8 kcal
- Total Fat: 8.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 29.1 mg
- Sodium: 82.2 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 0.8 g
- Sugar: 14.4 g
- Protein: 2 g
Recipe Notes:
- Yield: This recipe yields approximately 24 bars, making it perfect for larger gatherings or for storing some for later enjoyment.
- Make-Ahead: These bars can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. They can also be frozen for longer storage.
- Variations: Feel free to experiment with different berries or even a combination of berries for the filling. You can also add a touch of lemon zest to brighten up the flavors.
- Serve: These Blueberry Lattice Bars are wonderful served on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.
These bars are not only visually appealing with their lattice crust but also boast a wonderful balance of sweetness and tartness from the blueberries, encased in a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth crust that will have everyone asking for more. Perfect for dessert tables, potlucks, or as a sweet treat with afternoon tea, these bars are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.