Glazed Berry or Apple Crumb Bars

Looking for an easy dessert that’s super versatile? I love crumb topping on just about any baked good. Layered with your favorite berries or grated apples to make these super versatile bars. Soooo good & can be made gluten free too!!

Glazed Berry or Apple Crumb Bars

Yield: 13 x 9 pan or 18 – 20 bars

Ingredients:

Crust and Crumb topping:

3 cups flour, regular or gluten free
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup butter, cold & cubed

Berry Filling:

4 cups berries or 2-3 unpeeled apples, cored & grated
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest for berries
Optional: 1/2 cup sliced almonds, chopped

Apple Filling:

2 medium apples, grated
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Optional: 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
Glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 - 3 tablespoons lemon juice or milk

Equipment needed:

Dry measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Large food processor or
Large mixing bowl & pastry blender
Rubber spatula
13 X 9-inch baking pan
Medium mixing bowl
Small wire whisk or fork
2 pieces parchment paper

Do you love crumb topping like I love crumb topping? Especially with fruit in the middle?? Gooey goodness... Kind of healthy, No? I started making these bars during blueberry season, then I tried aronia berries... delicious and nutritious way to eat treats. The recipe freezes well, so if your concerned with eating too many... wrap them and thaw or microwave as you want them. I tried apple bars after visiting the local orchard... delicious too!! Make a pan... Enjoy!!

Super easy process... Crust and topping are made at the same time! Crunchy bottom and crumbly top... The Best!!

** Preheat oven to 375 F.

Easiest way to make the crust/ topping is to use a large food processor. Cuts in all the ingredients very quickly. If you don’t have a large food processor or wide bottom blender, using a pastry blender works too... just takes a little longer. Combine flour, sugars, baking powder, salt and cubed butter in the processor and pulse a few times to process& cut butter into the dry ingredients.
Add egg and vanilla and continue to process until a firm crumbly mixture is formed... ~ 1 minute. Pulse until the topping looks like the texture pictured above.

Now for the crust...

3. Line baking pan with two pieces of parchment overhanging the edges of the pan. This will make removing the completed bars so much easier. Place 1/2 - 2/3 of the crust into the pan, depending on how much topping you prefer… and spread to cover bottom. Using your fingers, press dough firmly into pan being sure it is fairly level and even. Set aside while the filling is prepared.

Now for the filling...

4. In a medium mixing bowl, combine berries or apples and filling ingredients above. Toss together to coat fruit well. If using apples, add cranberries too. I sometimes add sliced almonds to the remaining crumbles for a bit of texture too.

5. Pour fruit over crust and spread to evenly coat surface. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 - 1/2 of crumb topping on top and use fingers to separate chunks and distribute fairly evenly.

6. Place pan in preheated 375 F oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or topping is golden brown. Remove from oven and set to cool for at least 30 minutes or barely warm. Bars will firm up as they cool.

7. To remove bars from pan, carefully lift parchment paper and slide to a flat surface. Be careful, as if bars are too warm they may break apart when lifted.

8. To prepare glaze, place powdered sugar and half lemon juice/ milk in a medium bowl and stir with a fork or small wire whisk until smooth. I use lemon juice for berry glaze and milk for apple, but up to your preference. Add a small amount of liquid until a slightly runny glaze is produced. Drizzle over top of bars in a diagonal pattern to cover pan.

9. Cut into bars using a sharp, chef knife. Fruit may stick to knife, so dipping it in hot water will help reduce sticking... Go ahead and take a bite… ENJOY!!