Indulge in a Fusion of Flavors and Textures

Sink your teeth into a creation that dazzles with its buttery shortbread crust and luscious berry filling, kissed by a zest of lemon for an elevated flavor twist. Imagine the tenderness of the berries mingling with the velvety smoothness of sour cream, resulting in a treat that’s as delightful to savor as it is to behold. Serve these easy-to-share bars at your next brunch or picnic, and watch as your guests delight in each bite. Pair them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for an even more irresistible experience.

But let’s not forget the practical tips: these bars can be made ahead of time, saving you precious moments on busy days, and the recipe is flexible enough to accommodate a variety of fruits. Oh, and for those who appreciate a good visual, feast your eyes on this delectable image.

Recipe Details

• Servings: Makes one half sheet pan of bars
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Difficulty: Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Crust and Topping:

• 360g (3 cups) all-purpose flour
• 300g (1 1/2 cups) sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 340g (1 1/2 cups) chilled unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• Zest of two lemons

For the Berry Filling:

• 4 large eggs
• 400g (2 cups) sugar
• 240g (1 cup) sour cream
• 90g (3/4 cup) all-purpose flour
• Pinch of salt
• 2 (16-ounce) packages frozen mixed berries, defrosted and drained, or about 900g (6 cups) of fresh berries

Instructions

1. Begin with the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 12×17-inch pan with butter or a non-stick spray.
2. Creating Lemon Sugar: Mix lemon zest and sugar together to infuse the sugar with citrusy aromas.
3. Mixing the Dough: In an electric mixer, combine your zesty sugar, flour, salt, and butter. Mix until the dough becomes crumbly and resembles coarse sand.
4. Preparing Topping: Set aside 1 1/2 cups of this mixture to use later as the topping.
5. Forming the Crust: Firmly press the remaining dough into your prepared pan, creating an even layer.
6. Bake Crust: Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes.
7. Prepping the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs thoroughly.
8. Combine Filling Ingredients: To the eggs, add sugar, sour cream, flour, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth.
9. Incorporate Berries: Gently fold the berries into your filling.
10. Assembly: Evenly spread the berry filling over the pre-baked crust, then sprinkle the reserved topping over the filling.
11. Final Bake: Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the top is a light golden brown. Let your masterpiece cool for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars.

Notes and Tips for Success

Here are a few additional insights to help you make the perfect Berry Cobbler Pie Bars:

• Defrost and drain frozen berries beforehand to avoid a watery filling.
• Swapping in other fruits like apricots, peaches, or nectarines can turn these bars into a seasonal delight.
• For a crispier crust, consider blind-baking it for an additional 5-10 minutes.
• Ensure your filling is spread evenly to avoid uneven baking.
• To keep for later, these bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Frequently Asked Questions