Soft fruit-filled dessert bars featuring mixed berries nestled between a buttery shortbread base and crumbly streusel topping.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet-tart berry filling with tender, crumb topping
Easy to make and great for potlucks or snacks
Can be adapted to seasonal berries or preserves

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour
Rolled oats (optional for texture)
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar
Salt
Unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Fresh or frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Lemon juice and zest (optional)
Cornstarch (for filling thickening)

directions

Preheat oven to 350 °F. Lightly grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan.
In a bowl, combine flour, oats (if using), sugars, and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve about 1 cup for topping. Press the remainder into the bottom of the pan to form the base.
Prepare berry filling: toss berries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and zest.
Spread filling evenly over the base. Sprinkle reserved crumble on top.
Bake 35–40 minutes until topping is golden and filling bubbles.
Cool completely before slicing into bars.

Servings and timing

Yield: About 16 bars
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 40 minutes
Cooling time: At least 1 hour
Total time: Approximately 2 hours

storage/reheating

Room temperature: Store covered for up to 2 days.
Refrigerate: Covered for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Wrap bars individually and freeze up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature.
Reheat: Warm bars in a low oven (300 °F) for 5–7 minutes for a freshly baked feel.

FAQs

Can I use frozen berries?

Yes—no need to thaw before using. They may release more juice, so baking time may extend slightly.

What’s the purpose of cornstarch in the filling?

It thickens the berry juices during baking, keeping the filling from becoming runny.

Can I omit oats in the crumble?

Yes. Use all flour and sugar if you prefer a classic shortbread texture.

Can I substitute with jam or preserves?

Absolutely. Spread a thin layer of your favorite berry jam over the base and top with crumble.

Why shouldn’t I slice bars while hot?

Cutting too soon may cause the filling to spill. Cooling allows it to set properly.

How can I make them nutty?

Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumb mixture for added crunch and flavor.

Are these vegan-friendly?

Yes—use plant-based butter and confirm sugars are vegan-friendly.

Can I use different fruits?

Yes—apple, peach, cherry, or rhubarb make excellent substitutes or mix-ins.

How thick should the base and crumb be?

About ⅓ of the crumb mixture for the base and remainder for the topping ensures balanced texture.

Do the bars freeze well?

Yes—wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw before enjoying.

Conclusion

Berry Crumble Bars combine sweet fruit with tender buttery layers and a crisp crumb topping. They’re easy, crowd-pleasing, and adaptable to seasonal produce—perfect for home baking or entertaining.