Star Spangled Blueberry Pie Bars
It’s July!!! Does that make you sad or excited? See I am probably the minority here- but I am so thankful that summer is moving along. I’m a fall girl 100%. A pumpkin-baking, sweater-wearing, leaf crunching lover through and through. There are absolutely things I can appreciate about summer- but most of those involve me leaving New York so since this is where I’m spending it- I can’t help but be excited that we’re that much closer to September. (And that means football- I am so excited for football.)
I’m going to be with my in-laws down south for the 4th of July, but I couldn’t leave you without a cute festive treat could I? These would be so pretty with a traditional lattice top, but my handy star-cookie cutters left me inspired to make them “star-spangled.”
A shortbread-type cooke crust serves as the base and topping, and a simple blueberry filing comes together in just a couple minutes. We brought these to a cookout over the weekend and everyone loved them as is, but I think warm with a scoop of ice cream would really up the “pie a la mode” deliciousness.
I am so looking forward to fleeing the city for a few days where I’ll have tons of hungry family members to bake for! (My sweet tooth still appears to be missing.) Hopefully when I come back I’ll have lots of fun things to share with you all- (plus a couple things I’m already planning.) I’m churning up a fresh fruity ice cream today that you can check for soon! Happy Monday!
Star Spangled Blueberry Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Coarse sugar for sprinkling.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture until well blended. Cover and stick in the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the blueberries, lemon juice, sugar and cornstarch to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until sugar has dissolved and mixture has thickened. Allow to cool in the fridge until the dough is chilled.
- Roll two-thirds of the dough into an 8x8 square (Or the closest you can get- use your fingers to press the dough into the bottom of a greased 8x8 baking dish). Top with filling. Roll out remaining dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut out stars and arrange evenly over filling- re-rolling dough if needed. (The dough will be a teeny bit crumbly so be gentle with it) Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and then cut into squares.
Notes
If you decide to make a lattice top instead of stars, you may need to keep the dough very cold to make it easier to work with. Adapted loosely from: Taste of Home
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
These are just the cutest, Audra! Blueberry pie is my favorite, I could eat it all summer long. Have a fun trip, I’m jealous you’re escaping all the rain we’ve been having :)
How cute are these?! Perfect for a bright and cheery Fourth dessert! Enjoy celebrating with your family!
This is so adorable!! And delicious I bet also. Love the festive nature with the stars. I’ll be headed south for 4th of July as well. Enjoy your trip!
Adorable! I’m absolutely a fall-lover too and I’m so glad Chicago has been having a really mild summer. Bring on the sweaters and boots. I’m ready!
Fall is my very favorite season. I love the crisp air and its fresh scent. These bars look amazing! Enjoy your time with the family.
Even if we don’t celebrate 4th of July here in Italy, I definitely have to bake this pie because it’s just so cute! Oh, and you’re not the only 100% fall girl here, I can’t wait for September to start, too! If only time could pass quicker!
xo, Elisa
I love Fall as well! Bring on the scarves and cute boots!
These are too cute! I’m so bad about making holiday themed desserts, and I always admire when people can. Especially delicious looking ones like this!
These bring mince pies to my mind <3
I am a fall girl all the way too. And I am missing it so hard because in SoCal there’s not really fall. Like at all. And if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, they’re lying.
These sound awesome, and I LOVE the stars!! So festive!
This is so cute! I love summer but this weather is such a bummer… hoping we get some good weather before it gets cold again!
Oh these really are adorable! Have a Happy 4th! :)
I think i”m excited it’s July…time is sure flying. These are so cute, Audra! I love all of those blueberries!
These are so cute and holiday perfect! Lattice may look pretty but it is time consuming and a bit intimidating…to me, anyway. :) Shortbread with fruit sounds great!
These are adorable and perfect for the 4th! Have fun with your in laws!
These are SUPER adorable! I’m a fall girl all the way, too. COUNTING DOWN!! But loving all the summer produce in the meantime.
So pretty and I love shortbread with fruit!
These are too cute!
Made these today and they were amazing! So perfectly themed, really delicious. I had enough cookie dough to make about 15 extra stars, so served the bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a star cookie nestled in. Everyone loved it!
Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are
just extremely fantastic. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re saying and
the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep
it sensible. I can not wait to read far more from you.
This is really a great website.