Blueberry-Lemon Crunch Bars

  • 30 mins

Ingredients

  • Filling
  • 4 cups fresh blueberries
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest plus 3 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 2 lemons)
  • Crust
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 /2 cup finely chopped toasted pecans
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 /4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 /2 cup granulated sugar
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 5 tablespoons vegetable shortening
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 tablespoons heavy cream
  • Topping
  • 1 /2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter

Preparation

Step 1

Step 1
Prepare the Filling: Combine berries, sugar, cornstarch, zest, and juice in a saucepan over medium-high; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, mashing berries as they cook, until thick and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Step 2
Prepare the Crust: Stir together flour, pecans, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

Step 3
Combine sugar, butter, and shortening in a large bowl, and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, beating until combined. Gradually add cream, beating on low speed until incorporated.

Step 4
Add flour mixture to butter mixture; beat at low speed until well combined. Divide dough in half; place each half on a piece of plastic wrap. Shape each half into a 6- x 4-inch rectangle, about 1 inch thick. Wrap, and freeze 2 hours.

Step 5
Prepare the Topping: Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut butter into mixture until it resembles small pebbles. Chill until ready to use.

Step 6
Using a box grater or a food processor fitted with a grating blade, grate half of the dough (leave remaining half in freezer). Press grated dough into bottom of a 9-inch square pan coated with cooking spray. Bake in preheated oven until beginning to brown around edges, 12 to 14 minutes.

Step 7
Remove pan from oven. Carefully spread Filling over Crust, from edge to edge. Grate remaining half of dough, and sprinkle over Filling; gently press. Sprinkle Topping over dough. Bake in preheated oven until well browned, 35 to 40 minutes.

Step 8
Cool completely on wire rack, about 2 hours. Cut into 12 bars.