Blackberry Pie Bars are a perfectly delicious handheld treat made with fresh or frozen blackberries. These have a flaky crust filled with a creamy custard with tons of blackberries.
Oh my goodness! Are these a pie, a bar or a pie bar? Kind of tricky right? I'm calling this delicious dessert Blackberry Pie Bars. These bars are so great to serve at a family barbecue or bring to a pot luck dinner. They are also fancy enough to serve at a wedding or baby shower or a Sunday brunch.
What is a pie bar?
Think of a handheld portable little bite of a pie made into a bar that won't fall apart when you pick it up. Whew! That's a mouthful. Don't worry about what you call them, just get making them!
Do I use fresh or frozen blackberries?
You can use either fresh or frozen blackberries for this dessert. If using frozen, allow berries to thaw slightly. Break apart any berries that are clumped together. The thawed berries will have more juice than the fresh berries. It may turn your batter a bit purple.
We picked a lot of blackberries last year and froze them by the gallons. In addition to these bars I also make baked french toast, blackberry muffins and blackberry jam with the berries.
How do I make the crust?
I use a food processor to make this crust.
- Place flour, sugar and salt in the food processor. Pulse 3-4 times to mix.
- Cut up butter into small cubes and add to food processor. Pulse until well combined.
The dough will look very dry.
Grab a small handful and squeeze together. The dough should hold together.
Place 1 cup of the flour mixture aside and save to use as a topping. Place remaining mixture into a greased 9 X 13" glass baking dish.
Pat mixture down in dish so it forms together. 
How do I make the filling?
In a large bowl combine
- eggs
- sour cream
- sugar
- cornstarch
Mix in
- cinnamon
- lemon juice
- lemon zest
- vanilla
Gently fold in blackberries
Pour mixture on top of unbaked crust. Take remaining flour mixture and sprinkle over filling. Press flour mixture together into small pieces before sprinkling on top.
How long do I bake?
Bake for 1 hour until center is no longer wiggly.
Do I need to let these bars cool before serving?
I find it best to allow the bars to cool before slicing and serving. The bars will continue to setup as they cool. I serve these at room temperature.
Slice bars into small squares or rectangles and serve.
Top with fresh blackberries if desired.
Don't forget to PIN for later! 
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my delicious desserts!
Blackberry Pie Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 10 tablespoons butter (cut into small cubes)
Filling
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¾ cup sugar
- 4 teaspoons corn starch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (freshly grated)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups blackberries
Instructions
Crust
- Place flour, sugar and salt in the food processor. Pulse 3-4 times to mix.
- Add butter to food processor. Pulse until well combined.
- The dough will be very dry. Grab a small handful and squeeze together. The dough should hold together.
Reserve 1 cup of dough for the topping. - Place dough into a greased 9 x 13" baking dish. Pat dough down so dough is flat in dish.
Filling
- Combine eggs, sour cream, sugar and corn starch together in a bowl.
- Add cinnamon, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla and combine.
- Fold in blackberries.
- Pour mixture over prepared crust.
- Use remaining crust you set aside to place on top of liquid mixture. Squeeze flour together so the dough forms small pieces. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour.
- Remove and let cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Kathy, these blackberry pie bars look just wonderful! Love those big juicy blackberries. So easy using the same mix for the topping and the crust.
Kathy says
Thanks, Kelly! These are super easy to make and the blackberries add so much flavor!
Matt @ Total Feasts says
Oh, I love love love blackberries! What a great idea, the only time I've actually baked with blackberries is if I'm making a crumble. These bars sound delightful, and a perfect tea time dessert!
Kathy says
Thanks, Matt!
Nicoletta says
Wow, I was almost missing these beauties! Pie bars, with delicious blackberries nestled inside!! That is one wonderful dessert, Kathy!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
These look totally delicious Kathy! Fruit bars are a regular during the summer here at the beach. I will definitely be adding these to my baking list!
David @ Spiced says
I absolutely love blackberries! I keep hoping I'll stumble on a wild patch of blackberries somewhere around here, but it hasn't happened yet. We had a great blackberry patch in the old house, so I need to start a new one here. In the meantime, I'll have to rely on storebought berries. These pie bars sound (and look) incredibly tasty, Kathy! Perfect summer dessert!
Kathy says
Store bought berries are delicious too. 🙂
Valentina says
A pie, a bar, a cookie -- I'll take this in any shape or form. Love that it works with frozen berries, too. That way the deliciousness lasts all year long. 🙂
Kathy says
I just need to make certain I stock my freezer with blackberries again this summer so I can enjoy these all year long!
Cheryl says
Yum! Looks great. There are tons of blackberries growing all over the pasture. I discovered some new brambles when riding my horse around the field a couple of days ago. Ouch! I think I'm going to get back into picking and freezing blackberries again. I tend to bake blackberry pie with the ones I pick, but I'm always looking for different recipes to try - thanks!
Kathy says
I think it's time to get picking again - and baking!
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl says
Kathy, this looks so Summery and delicious! I'm all about anything pie - especially when it's handheld like this! Perfect to pair with my coffee!
Kathy says
It's a delicious summertime dessert!
Fred G says
What a great idea.
Kathy says
Thanks!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
From that gorgeous crust to that delicious berry filling, I'm all over this one Kathy! It just screams summer! So perfect with a tall, cold glass of milk right about now 🙂 Happy Friday to ya!
Kathy says
It's a delicious treat and a cold glass of milk is a perfect accompaniment!