In the name of great fruit cookies – you’ve got to try these once in a lifetime lemon blueberry bars! They’re better than cream cheese cookies and better than lemon cookies, if that’s even possible. I think they’re better than cookies, period – because they’re easier to make and they have that element of nutrition which is a great excuse to scarf some down.
These tasty little gems are more than a delicious treat. They’re like a divine experience for your mouth. Once you gobble up the first batch you may be inclined to try your hand at some coconut cream pie bars or pumpkin bars. No one would blame you one little bit. Pecan pie bars are another dreamy option you can follow up with. If you love blueberries, you gotta try my blueberry cobbler too!
Here’s what you need to know.
What I Love About Lemon Blueberry Bars Recipe
- Great for breakfast, an afternoon snack with a cup of tea, or of course, for dessert.
- They make a nice big 9 X 13 pan so they’re great to bring to share at a picnic or barbecue.
- Yummy, rich, and ever so slightly addictive!
Recipe Notes
For the absolute best lemon blueberry bars possible, start with room temperature ingredients. Your butter should be soft and spreadable but still, hold its shape. Even your blueberries should be room temp and completely dried after washing. Also, don’t forget to spray your foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Ingredient Notes
This recipe calls for rolled oats – not quick oats. You’ll also need a large egg, but you want it separated. Here are a few of the best techniques for getting that done. The yolk will be used in the lemon filling and the white will be used elsewhere in the recipe.
Storing Tips
These moist rich bars need to be stored in the fridge. You can keep them in an airtight container or covered casserole dish, but they need to be kept cool and protected from moisture.
Can You Freeze This?
Affirmative!! These puppies freeze really well. After cooling, take the time to double wrap them before sliding them into the frozen abyss, and don’t forget to label them. Simply move them from the freezer to the fridge and let them sit overnight to thaw.
Make Ahead Tips
Being that these yummy bars are ‘built’ while they’re warm, there’s really not a ton you can do ahead of time, besides salivate. You can always blend up the dry ingredients and have them ready to go or keep a couple of completed batches in the freezer. Simply move them from the freezer to the fridge the day before you want to serve them.
How Long Can You Keep This?
Your bars will stay fresh and yummy in the fridge for up to 5 days when stored properly. It’s best to reserve the FDA recommended 2-hour serving rule when you pull these babies out.
Lemon Blueberry Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened at room temperature
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
- 1 1/3 cups light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg separated
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 2 1/2 cups (about 13 ounces) blueberries at room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 13x9 metal baking pan with foil, leaving a slight overhang on both sides to lift the bars out. Spray the pan/foil with cooking spray.
- Whisk the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder together in a large bowl. Use a pastry blender (or your fingers) to cut the butter into the dry ingredients completely. (In other words, until the pieces of butter aren't visible anymore.) Set aside and reserve 2 cups of these crumbs for the topping. Beat the egg white with a fork until broken up and foamy. Add it to the crumbs and mix to incorporate. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press to form an even layer of crust. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the top starts to look dry.
- Meanwhile, whisk the condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and egg yolk together in a medium bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes; the mixture will begin to thicken slightly.
- When the crust has finished baking, transfer the pan to a wire rack and sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the hot crust. Drop spoonfuls of the lemon mixture over the blueberries then spread the lemon mixture gently to distribute it. Work carefully so you don't crush the berries; the lemon layer doesn't have to cover every bit of the crust. Bake until the lemon layer begins to form a shiny skin, about 7-8 minutes.
- Remove the pan to a wire rack and use your fingers to press the reserved crumb mixture into small clumps and sprinkle them over the lemon layer. Use all of the crumb mixtures to cover the lemon layer completely. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling at the edges and the streusel topping is golden brown.
- Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the bars cool for about an hour, until just warm. Remove them from the pan using the foil overhang and let cool completely on the wire rack. Cut into squares before serving. The bars should be stored in the refrigerator
Fans Also Made:
Nutrition
More Cookie Bars Recipes…
Cookie bars should be a food group in my humble opinion. They’re rich, sweet, delicious and many times nutrient-dense. Plus, you don’t need a fork. Here are even more cookie bars recipes you may enjoy.
Conclusion
Sweet decadent lemon blueberry bars are a culmination of 5-star flavor and 20 minutes in the kitchen. These delicious little treats make fabulous afternoon snacks and even better desserts but they’re also great with your morning cup of joe.
There are many versions of this lovely recipe, but this is one version you don’t want to be without. One bite and you’re hooked plus they make the day a little brighter.
Source: Fine Cooking
Maris says
These look so fantastic! I love the idea of a lemon/blueberry combo and wish I had one of these to snack on at the pool 🙂
Lauren's Latest says
LOVE the blueberry and lemon combination! Delicious!
Raina says
These sound wonderful, perfect combo of flavors. I can see why you wanted to try them. They are a must try for me now too:)
Fresh Garden says
Delightful and yummy!
Wonderful!
marla {Family Fresh Cooking} says
I would love to eat that lemon cream filling with a spoon! delish bars
Barbara says
Oh Kathleen, these look marvelous. From the streusel to the lemon cream. Definitely a must-make. I saw that issue of Fine Cooking but didn't get it. Guess I better reconsider. I do like that magazine a lot, don't you?
Sue says
Blueberries and lemon and cream, oh my! And they look gorgeous too!
Amy says
These sound and look amazing! Blueberry and lemon is such a wonderful combination and that filling looks divine :)!
Annie Oakley's Kitchen says
Yum! I keep seeing this lemon blueberry combination all over the place and it's making me HUNGRY!
Beth says
Blueberries … streusel … lemon… what's not to love?
That Girl says
I adore the combo of lemon and blueberry.
Allison @ Alli 'n Son says
These look amazing. They combine two of my favorite summer ingredients, blueberries and lemon.
I hope you'll stop by and share this recipe with Sweet Tooth Friday. http://www.alli-n-son.com/2011/07/21/sweet-tooth-friday-blueberry-cheesecake-ice-cream/
Mimi says
Lemon and blueberry one of my favorite combinations adding a little streusel just takes it over the top.
Mimi
Chris says
Blueberries are one of my favorites so yeah, I'll take three of these.
Heather of Kitchen Concoctions says
These look delicious, blueberries are one of my most favorite summertime fruits!
BTW, I have enjoyed exploring your blog. What beautiful pictures you have!
Shelby says
yummy, I saw these at her blog too, don't you just love everything she makes?!
Simply Life says
oooh wow -what a perfect summer dessert! I definitely would want seconds of this!
Maureen says
Doesn't this look like perfection on a plate. Delicious moist bars just call my name.
Taylor says
Mmm I love the combination of lemon and blueberries! These look like a perfect dessert for the summer time!
Barefeet In The Kitchen says
These look delicious! You had me at Lemon Cream filling. YUM