Spiked Blueberry Crumb Bars

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Spiked Blueberry Crumb Bars Recipe

Don’t commit me yet! I realize that this is the second time in a week that I have baked with rum. I couldn’t help myself. The bottle was sitting on the counter, calling my name. It’s voice sounded suspiciously like Captain Jack Sparrow’s, which mine could start sounding like after a few more of these recipes. Between these spiked bars and Dinah’s Jamaican Rum cookies, I might have to visit the dastardly Sir Ossis. Get it? Sir Ossis – cirrhosis. I crack myself up.
The original inspiration for these bars came from the fabulous Smitten Kitchen. However, she did not have to contend with any talking bottles. To pair with the flavor of the rum (which is not strong, by the way), I added ground ginger and nutmeg, and substituted brown sugar for the some of the granulated sugar in the crust and topping. If you do not wish to use rum, substitute fresh lemon juice.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.

In a medium bowl, combine 4 cups of fresh blueberries and 3 tablespoons dark rum. If you prefer not to use rum, substitute an equal amount of fresh lemon juice instead. 



Stir in 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 4 teaspoons of cornstarch. Set aside.



In a separate medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup each of granulated sugar and brown sugar.


Stir in 3 cups of flour…


1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt…


1/2 teaspoon ground ginger…


…and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg. If you can find yourself one these nifty little tools, they make grinding fresh nutmeg easier than pie.


Cut in 1 cup (8 ounces) of cold butter with a pastry cutter or a fork until the mixture is crumbly.


Whisk one egg in a small bowl and stir into the flour mixture.

Press half of the flour mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. 


Spread the blueberry mixture over the crust.


Sprinkle the rest of the flour mixture over the blueberries.


Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is light brown.


Left the bars cool on a rack and then place the fridge to chill. This will make the bars easier to cut and remove from the pan.

Other blueberry desserts:
Simple Recipes’ Blueberry Muffins
Brown-Eyed Baker’s Fresh Blueberry Pie
Spiked Blueberry Crumb Bars
4 cups fresh blueberries
3 tbsp dark rum (or 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 tsp cornstarch
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup (8 oz) cold butter
1 egg
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
In a medium bowl, combine the fresh blueberries and dark rum (or lemon juice). Stir in 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 4 tsp cornstarch. Set aside.
In a separate medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup each of granulated sugar and brown sugar. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or a fork until the mixture is crumbly. Whisk one egg in a small bowl and stir into the flour mixture.
Press half of the flour mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the blueberry mixture over the crust. Sprinkle the rest of the flour mixture over the blueberries. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is light brown. Left the bars cool on a rack and then place the fridge to chill. This will make the bars easier to cut and remove from the pan.
Makes about 36 squares.
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Comments

  4. these squares look so luscious- and the couscous dish -WOW! I have a little catching up to do on your beautiful blog!

    Reply

  6. Now these bars are something else… yum!!!!!! Rum and then spiced up, perfect! Thanks for this great creation!

    Reply

  9. These look and sound amazing! I havent got a sweet tooth but Id try this. The addition of the rum-genius!

    Reply

  12. I'm glad to see there are so many rum lovers in the crowd! Thank you for all of your comments.

    Reply

  13. After spending last Christmas/New Years in Jamaica and having "one or two" rum spiked drinks (??), I now put a little rum in lots of things…but have yet to do it with blueberries! These bars sound incredible!!!!!

    Reply

  16. Hey! There is nothing wrong with baking with a little rum now and again (and again and again)! Especially with something as delicious as those bars!

    Reply

  17. I LOVE LOVE YOUR RECIPES!!!!!!!!!

    This looks so wonderful…I need to get myself a bottle of Rum…haha

    Reply

  18. This and your recent recipes all look wonderful! I'm a big fan blueberries and these crumb bars look delicious! I've been on a slight commenting hiatus with my busy schedule lately… but it's great to catch up and see what's cooking in your kitchen!

    Reply

  20. These look amazing! I have so many blueberries in my fridge right now, but didn't know what to do with them. I am going to make these tonight. Soaking the blueberries in rum is a super idea!

    Reply

  22. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!!! Ahoy Matey! Did you know that it's National Rum Month? These look delish!

    Reply

  23. Saw you over at PW. What a terrific blog you have. These bars are outstanding!

    I can't wait to see what you come up with next! :0)

    Reply

  26. These were fantastic! Perfect for our over-ripe blueberries right now. Thanks and I'm just posting about it this morning on my blog!

    Reply

  31. I love these crumb bars (made them with peaches last year) and the addition of rum makes it all that much better!

    Reply

  32. Great post! My husband is from the Caribbean, so I'm used to seeing him throw a bit of rum in random dishes he's cooking. I'm the one who does the baking though, so I think I just might start showing him two can play that game. 🙂 And I'll start with these bars. They look yummy!

    Reply

  33. I just happen to be browsing through my nearly 1,000 views of inbox posts in Foodbuzz…happen to spot CUCINAMUSICA with the Spiked Blueberry Bars.
    I got curious as to why they have the title in English in their Italian blog…seems they linked the English version of the recipe which happens to be yours.
    I am so impressed, and absolutely loving these bars…you should see the line-up blueberry posts on mine. Blueberries are one of my all time favorite berries, and we have an abundance of them here, in S. Florida.
    Printed out your fabulous recipe, and would love to try this and also link it back to you.
    Beautiful step-by-step photo direction, as well.
    I’m happily following your blog, and invite you to visit mine, and follow, as well:DDD

    Reply

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