Triple Berry Bars

Ingredients:

For the Crumble:

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups quick oats
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup blackberries
• 1/4 cup raspberries

For the Filling:

• 3/4 cup blackberries
• 3/4 cup raspberries
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest (about one lemon)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about one lemon)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup strawberry preserves

Directions:

For the Crumble:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease an 8x8 inch pan and line with parchment paper. Leave flaps on two adjacent sides to make the bars easy to remove from the pan later. Set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt.
3. Pour in the melted butter and mix unitl fully combined.
4. Press 2/3 of this mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Be sure to pack tightly.
5. Bake for 10 minutes.

For the Filling:

1. While the crust is baking, you can begin to prepare your filling. In a medium mixing bowl, add the raspberries, blackberries and brown sugar. Mash the berries well with the brown sugar.
2. Mix in the cornstarch, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla and strawberry preserves.
3. Pour the filling over the pre-baked crust and scatter the 1/4 cups of blackberries and raspberries over the top from the crumble. Then sprinkle your remaining crumble over the top.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool at room temperature for about 90 minutes or in the fridge for about 45 minutes.
5. Lift out of the pan using your flaps and cut into 9-12 bars. Serve with vanilla bean ice cream if desired.

*Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Makes 9-12 Bars