Description
These Blueberry Curd Bars feature a buttery, golden crust topped with a luscious homemade blueberry curd, making for a delightful and refreshing dessert perfect for summer or any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
For the Blueberry Curd:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For Garnish (optional):
- Powdered sugar
- Lemon zest
- Extra blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to help with easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture becomes coarse crumbs. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15–18 minutes until the crust is lightly golden. Remove and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare the blueberry curd base: Place the blueberries, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook for about 5–7 minutes until the berries burst and the mixture becomes saucy. Use an immersion blender directly in the pan or transfer to a blender to puree the mixture until smooth.
- Strain the mixture: Pass the pureed blueberry mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove skins and seeds, returning only the smooth liquid to the saucepan.
- Cook the curd: Whisk in the sugar, eggs, and cornstarch into the strained blueberry mixture. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, until the mixture thickens, about 5–8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the unsalted butter until it melts and the curd is smooth.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the blueberry curd over the pre-baked crust and spread it evenly. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 10–12 minutes, just until the curd is set.
- Cool and chill: Allow the bars to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate them for at least 2 hours to fully set and enhance flavor.
- Serve: Before serving, optionally dust with powdered sugar, sprinkle lemon zest, or add fresh blueberries for garnish. Cut into 16 bars and enjoy.
Notes
- These bars can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator for convenience.
- Using wild blueberries will impart a deeper color and richer flavor.
- Make sure to cool the crust slightly before adding the curd to prevent melting.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best tang and freshness in the curd.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
