Gooey Blueberry Cookie Bars
Sweet Gooey Blueberry Cookie Bars with a citrus shortbread crumb topping. A marvelous way to enjoy summer blueberries!
This time of year, when berries are fresh and bountiful, I am constantly looking for ways to turn them into lavish treats.
Classic blueberry pie is one of my all-time favorite summer desserts. However for picnics and parties, sometimes you need a treat that’s a little more user-friendly.
Like a hand-held version of blueberry pie… Yet with a decadent cookie crust, and gooey blueberry center.
Today’s fresh Gooey Blueberry Cookie Bars are just the treat to usher us into berry season.
I made a simple buttery shortbread cookie crust with lime and orange zest to punch up the flavor.
Then I made a sweet blueberry filling with fresh blueberries, sweetened condensed milk, and cornstarch. The filling has a thick texture that sets up nicely when the Gooey Blueberry Cookie Bars cool.
To assemble, simply press a little over half the dough into the bottom of a baking dish. Pour the blueberry filling over the top and drop little pinches of the remaining dough over the surface.
Then bake the Gooey Blueberry Cookie Bars until the top is golden.
It’s important to let the Gooey Blueberry Cookie Bars cool and set after baking… You don’t want all the filling to run out when you cut them.
I guarantee you, these sticky Gooey Blueberry Cookie Bars made with fresh summer berries will be the highlight of your week.
Why not whip up a batch to take to work, or to your next neighborhood potluck. They’d be a fantastic addition to the dessert table on 4th of July this year!
Gooey Blueberry Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 2 pints fresh blueberries (4 cups)
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Zest of one lime
- Zest of one orange
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place the blueberries, sweetened condensed milk, and cornstarch in a medium sauce pot. Set the potĀ over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Stir and simmer for 3-5 minutes, smashing part of the blueberries with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat.
- Place the butter and sugar in the bowl on an electric stand mixer. Beat on high for 3-5 minutes. Then add the vanilla extract, flour, salt, and citrus zest. Scrape the bowl and beat again until well combined.
- Divide the dough into two pieces, one slightly larger than the other. Press the larger piece of dough into an even layer in the bottom of the baking dish. Pour the blueberry mixture over the top and shake the dish to even it out. Then drop small pieces of the remaining dough over the surface of the blueberry filling.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden. Cool the bars to room temperature in the dish. Then gently lift the entire sheet of bars out of the pan by the edges of the parchment paper. Cut into squares. Store in an air-tight container for 3-4 days at room temperature, or for 7-10 days refrigerated.
Nutrition
Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what youāre cooking!
Too sweet! Ā All I taste is sugar.
Pingback: Toffee Pumpkin Gooey Bars - My Hub List
What allowances do I need to make to use frozen blueberries?
Hi Gigi,
You can use frozen blueberries without any alterations to the recipe. They may just take an extra minute or so to come to a simmer. :)
Jeee-heesus Crispies, these are so effing good. I used fresh-picked blueberries, dried lemon peel (should have zested an orange, too), and didn’t let them cool before cutting. WORTH IT. My fiancĆ©e and I have had two or three each since last night, and the number is only that low because we want them to last. The only change I’ll make in future is a little bit of salt in the filling.
I’m going to make these with peaches and almond extract later this week for a potluck. OMNOM! Thanks so much for posting this!
Can these be frozen after they are baked?
Hi Debbie,
Absolutely! Just thaw them at room temperature when you are ready to serve them. :)
Pingback: Blueberry Lemon Scones - Recipe Girl
Easy and delicious Has anyone frozen the cooked bars?
Pingback: Gooey Blueberry Cookie Bars - Makers Bakers Movers & Shakers
Pingback: Gooey Blueberry Cookie Bars Recipe! | Thrifty Momma Ramblings
Hi Sommer, for this awesome recipe! I made these last week to take to a picnic. They were a big hit with my husband, me, and the other peeps. Thanks so much for your blog!
Hi Kathy! I’m so glad you liked them. :)
Pingback: Bahamian Blaster Party Punch - A Spicy Perspective
Whoa, those look insanely delicious!! I love a pie you can hold in your hand. :)
wow!! yummy! the color is gorgeous!
Perfect summer treat! Now I know what I’m doing with those blueberries in my fridge.
This – my kind of bar!!!
Love these little hand held beauties!
When blueberries are not in season, can you use pie filling?
Those bars look so good! Love the gooey blueberry layer!
Dying over that gorgeous gooey middle and that crumb topping. These are perfect!!
Totally making these for July 4th!!!
These look amazing! Definitely adding to the fourth of july spread!Ā
Blueberries are my favorite berries…I think. These bars looks delicious and so easy to make. Pinning!