Why don’t I bake more often?! These blueberry shortbread bars were incredible. And so, so, so easy!
I actually only made them because I had some blueberries left over from my summer fruit tarts. I wanted to make a sweet treat with them, but since my baking skills are usually not anything to write home about, I decided to stick with an old favourite: shortbread! It never fails me.
These blueberry shortbread bars start with a plain layer of shortbread, then there are plenty of juicy fresh blueberries, and it’s finished with a sugary, crumbly shortbread topping. It’s like a sandwich, but about fifty million times better.
When I say that this shortbread recipe is an old favourite of mine, I mean old. The basic shortbread recipe actually comes from this cookbook, which my family seems to have owned since about the sixteenth century:
Okay, so it was only published in 1977, but you get the point. Considering I wasn’t born until more than a decade after that, it seems like we’ve had it since the beginning of time. Look at those colours! That's not just bad lighting, those colours are actually true to life! Couldn’t get more 70s if it tried.
This shortbread recipe was pretty much the only thing I ever made growing up - I’ve made it so. many. times. These blueberry shortbread bars are obviously a jazzed up version, and I’m so glad I decided to do something a bit different with it this time, because it couldn’t have worked out better!
Layering up the shortbread like this creates so many gorgeous textures - crispy on the bottom, crumbly on top… plus, where the blueberry juice seeps into the shortbread, you get a beautiful gooeyness that I just can’t resist. The blueberries cook right down and get really juicy - it’s almost as if these blueberry shortbread bars contain blueberry jam, even though it’s just 100% fresh fruit.
In case anyone else is doubtful of their baking abilities like I am: these are so easy. The crumble topping is made from the exact same mixture as the shortbread base, so as long as you can rub butter into flour, you're about 95% of the way there. And if you can't - just do the 'show me the money' gesture into a bowl. That's all there is to it!
Blueberry shortbread bars
If you've cooked this recipe, don't forget to leave a star rating!
Print Pin CommentIngredients
- 125 g plain flour
- 50 g caster sugar plus an extra 2tbsp
- 100 g cold butter cut into several chunks
- 150 g fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (Gas Mark 4 / 350°F).
- Combine the plain flour and caster sugar in a large bowl. Rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs (or you could use a pastry cutter if you have one).
- Press about two-thirds of the shortbread mixture onto a lined baking tray (mine measured around 11 x 7 inches). Be sure to press it in firmly to help it hold together.
- Scatter the blueberries across the shortbread, and sprinkle over the remaining breadcrumb-like shortbread mixture. Top with a couple of tablespoons of sugar, and bake for around 30 minutes, until the shortbread is light golden brown and some of the berries have released their juices.
- Allow to cool completely, and then cut into squares with a pizza cutter.
Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on your exact ingredients. Please calculate your own nutritional values if you require accuracy for health reasons.
If you prefer a chocolate-based dessert, try my salted chocolate pots with caramel sauce!
Kath says
I make these all the time and have for a very long time. I add the zest of a lemon to the shortbread and when I dont have fresh blueberries I use frozen and just add a little cornflour to the berries. Work mates love them and in fact there is a pan in the oven now to be brought to work tomorrow :)
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Oh cool! I'm so glad you've enjoyed this recipe so many times, thanks for the lovely feedback :)
Nicki Escudero says
Becca, these were so tasty! Thanks for all the great recipes! Nicki
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Glad you liked them Nicki! :) I'll have to make them again soon, they're so easy!
kerry m. says
I just made these today with my fresh-picked blueberries! So delicious!!
This is the converted recipe that I used:
1 cup AP flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
7 Tablespoons salted butter
3/4 cup fresh blueberries
I doubled the recipe and baked it in a 9"x13" pan.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Yay I'm so glad you enjoyed them Kerry :) thank you so much for the conversions!
Emily says
I made these today, and they are delicious! I doubled the amount of shortbread to fit my 9"x13" glass baking dish, and used 260g of blueberries. Utterly perfect, and my husband loves them, too. Thanks for yet another great recipe! :)
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Yay I'm so pleased you enjoyed them Emily! Thanks for your comment! :)
Sherry says
Do you think these can be frozen??
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I actually very rarely freeze things so I can't say for sure, but I don't see why not! I say it's always worth a try :)
Linda Jackson says
What is the common household measurements (cup, Tbsp, tsp. etc.) for this recipes.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Hi Linda, I'm afraid I only post recipes in the usual UK format because it would take me far too long to convert every recipe into every format that's used all over the world. This format is the 'common household measurement' to me!
You can use a converter like this to change these measurements into cups: http://www.dovesfarm.co.uk/resources/conversion-tables/us-cups-conversion-table/
Judy says
Sounds great.
I will try. Easier if when posting....post the conversion also.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
It would take me a very very long time to post every recipe in every single recipe format that's used around the world! So I just post in the format I use.
Ciara says
Oh I have blueberries in the freezer so am definitely going to try this. My Mum has that recipe book - sometimes you can't beat a classic!
Eileen says
That cookbook is as old as I am! HA. These bars look delicious! I always have a hard time baking with berries because they get eaten too quickly, but I may have to exert my willpower to make some of these. :)
Deena Kakaya says
Oh.My.Goodness. what are you doing to me before bedtime! x