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 ⅔ 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

Blackberry Almond Crumble Bars

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!

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 10 people

Calories per serving 269 kcal

Ingredients

• ½ cup almonds , whole blanched or non-blanched almonds (2 ounces)
• 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour , plus more for dusting
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter , softened, plus more for greasing the baking pan
• ⅔ cup confectioners’ sugar
• 12 ounces blackberries
• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

Instructions 

• 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.
• Combine together flour, salt, cinnamon, and ground almonds in a medium bowl, mix together. In a separate bowl, mix ⅔ 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.
• 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.
• Bake until golden, 30 minutes.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Information

Blackberry Almond Crumble Bars

Amount per Serving

Calories

269

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

15

g

23

%

Saturated Fat

 

7

g

44

%

Cholesterol

 

30

mg

10

%

Sodium

 

118

mg

5

%

Potassium

 

127

mg

4

%

Carbohydrates

 

30

g

10

%

Fiber

 

3

g

13

%

Sugar

 

11

g

12

%

Protein

 

4

g

8

%

Vitamin A

 

425

IU

9

%

Vitamin C

 

7.2

mg

9

%

Calcium

 

35

mg

4

%

Iron

 

1.4

mg

8

%

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

Nutrition Disclaimer:

The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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