#18. Blackberry Streusel Bars

These bars are so versatile. These were made using a sugar cookie crust, blackberry preserves and streusel, but you can also use a shortbread cookie as the base and any berry filling you desire. Using fresh homemade berry jam in the summer is the absolute best. These bars were also included in the cookie boxes we gave out as gifts. They are so yummy, these should be a must-try on your list!

Ingredients:

Cookie Crust:

10 oz. unsalted butter (at room temperature)

1 cup sugar

pinch salt

4 large egg yolks

1 tsp. grated lemon zest

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 cups all purpose flour

1 jar blackberry (or any berry) preserves

Streusel:

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup old fashion rolled oats

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prep a half sheetpan by lining it with a layer of foil sprayed with pan spray.

In a mixer, cream the butter and sugar with the salt on high until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the yolks, lemon zest and vanilla. On low, slowly add in the flour and only mix until incorporated. Press into the bottom of the sheet pan until even. Bake 14-16 minutes, or until slightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.

To make the streusel, mix the flour, brown sugar, oats and cinnamon in the mixer until incorporated. add in the cold cubed butter and mix until it just starts clumping together, about 3-4 minutes.

Spread the jam evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle the entire amount of the streusel over the top of the jam, completely covering it. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until streusel is slightly browned. Let cool completely 1-2 hours. Once completely cooled, slice into 24 bars (or 48 small bars).