Blackberry Almond Shortbread Crumble Bars

Blackberry Almond Shortbread Crumble Bars – blackberries go really well with almonds in this easy dessert recipe.

Valentine’s Day was yesterday, and I have not had a real dessert in a whole week. Not that I am a dessert-freak that cannot go a week without something sweet, but no dessert even on Valentine’s Day? Am I the only one without Valentine’s dessert this year? I am feeling guilty in relation to the tradition, so here I am making up for it by baking something easy: these little Blackberry Almond Shortbread Crumble Bars.

I’ve made this recipe a couple of times now, and it’s so good especially because it’s simple and quick. This is one of those recipes I turn to when I am tired and can’t handle too many steps in recipe instructions. This recipe does not require laser-sharp concentration skills. I can make these Blackberry Almond Shortbread Crumble Bars when I am half asleep, and the result is always consistent: amazing flavor of blackberries combined with perfectly crumbly and nutty pastry texture. You have crumbly pastry both at the bottom and on the top with baked blackberries in between: perfection!

I’ve used both blanched and not blanched almonds: it doesn’t make much difference because in the end you end up finely grinding them. The only important thing is to use whole almonds, which have to be baked (toasted) for 15 minutes: if you use slivered almonds baking/toasting time will have to be reduced.

How to make Blackberry Almond Shortbread Crumble Bars

Below are some helpful step-by-step photos and instructions for making Blackberry Almond Shortbread Crumble Bars. For complete recipe, scroll down below the photos.

1) Preheat oven to 350. Arrange almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until a bit browned, 15 minutes. Let them cool completely. After they are cooled, grind them in a food processor until finely ground.

2) Combine together flour, salt, cinnamon, and ground almonds in a medium bowl, mix together. In a separate bowl, mix 2/3 cup sugar and butter using electric mixer, until fluffy, 3 minutes. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix, using electric mixer until a crumbly dough forms that would resemble coarse meal.

3) Divide dough into 2 equal parts. Butter 8 inch square baking dish, dust with flour, tap out excess. Press one half of the dough onto bottom of pan. When pressing dough onto the pan, use flour to dust your fingers to help the process.

Scatter blackberries over dough. Sprinkle blackberries with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.

Crumble the other half of the dough over blackberries.

4) Bake until golden, 30 minutes.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Blackberry Almond Crumble Bars

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

50 mins

 

Amazing flavor of blackberries combined with perfectly crumbly and nutty pastry texture.  Blackberry Almond Crumble bars - you have crumbly pastry both at the bottom and on the top with baked blackberries in between: perfection!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 10 people

Calories: 269 kcal

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup almonds , whole blanched or non-blanched almonds (2 ounces)
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour , plus more for dusting
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter , softened, plus more for greasing the baking pan
• 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 12 ounces blackberries
• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Arrange almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until a bit browned, 15 minutes. Let them cool completely. After they are cooled, grind them in a food processor until finely ground.

2. Combine together flour, salt, cinnamon, and ground almonds in a medium bowl, mix together. In a separate bowl, mix 2/3 cup sugar and butter using electric mixer, until fluffy, 3 minutes. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix, using electric mixer until a crumbly dough forms that would resemble coarse meal.

3. Divide dough into 2 equal parts. Butter 8 inch square baking dish, dust with flour, tap out excess. Press one half of the dough onto bottom of pan. When pressing dough onto the pan, use flour to dust your fingers to help the process. Scatter blackberries over dough. Sprinkle blackberries with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Crumble the other half of the dough over blackberries.

4. Bake until golden, 30 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart. 

Nutrition Facts

Blackberry Almond Crumble Bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 269 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 15g 23%

Saturated Fat 7g 35%

Cholesterol 30mg 10%

Sodium 118mg 5%

Potassium 127mg 4%

Total Carbohydrates 30g 10%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 11g

Protein 4g 8%

Vitamin A 8.5%

Vitamin C 8.7%

Calcium 3.5%

Iron 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.