Blueberry Crumble Bars

   

     My son loves anything made with blueberries. Blueberry topping on cheesecake, blueberry ice cream milkshake, and blueberry preserves on toast. He was away for a sleepover so as a welcome home treat for him, I decided to surprise him with blueberry crumble bars.

     Bar cookies are such a joy to make. Perfect for when you are pressed for time, these bars can be made even if you only have an hour or two to spare. It's also the perfect cookie to make in the summertime when it's simply too hot to linger in the kitchen which is what we are experiencing these days.

     I used bottled blueberry preserves for this recipe which was in my pantry. Fresh blueberries are hard to come by in our area. If and when I do spot them at the market, they are imported and cost a hefty sum. But by all means feel free to use fresh blueberry jam if fresh ones are available where you are.

Happy baking!

Blueberry Crumble Bars

Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, cubed
1 cup refined sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup bottled blueberry preserves

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9" x 9" pan. Set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar for 5 minutes or till light and fluffy.
3. Blend in vanilla.
4. Slowly add in flour, salt and oats.
5. Spread half of dough on bottom of prepared pan.
6. Spread blueberry preserves over base.
7. Top with spoonfuls of the remaining dough.
8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
9. Cool completely then slice into bars.

Makes 20 to 24 bars.