Mixed Berry Pie Bars
Mixed berry pie bars are versatile and delicious mini versions of pie. You get all the makings of a pie but made into dessert bars that are quick and easy to make! Not to mention, they are dairy, egg, and gluten-free!
Pie has always been such a classic dessert. But, if I am honest, I am not much a pie person or baker for that matter. So pie bars are the best way to go for a quick and easy dessert.
You can choose any fruit or berries you prefer! Typically for mixed berries, I would have selected strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. But my oldest child is allergic to raspberries, so I avoid them as much as possible. So I went with the next best summer fruit, and that is peaches!
With these mixed berry pie bars, there is no rolling out the crust or extra hassle that comes with making pies. The mixed berry pie bars have a soft, crisp, buttery, shortbread-style crust. There is not just a crust on the bottom; you will crumble some crust for extra topping.
HOW TO MAKE THE CRUST:
- Melt one cup of dairy-free butter and mix it with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Beat until light and creamy.
- Add two teaspoons of vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Sift in your gluten-free flour and salt. Sifting always helps when using gluten-free flour to reduce clumps formed in the dough. Feel free to use regular all-purpose flour if you do not need gluten-free.
- Mix in the flour just until no flour streaks remain.
- Split the dough into thirds—Press two-thirds of the crust into the bottom of a lightly greased 8x8 baking pan.
- Prebake your crust at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Allow cooling while preparing the filling.
HOW TO PREPARE THE FILLING:
- Measure one cup of each fruit of your choosing. I chose sliced strawberries, whole blueberries, and diced peaches for my filling.
- Add one cup of granulated sugar, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and six tablespoons of cornstarch/tapioca flour/arrowroot.
- Mix all together and pour onto prebaked crust.
- Crumble remaining dough onto filling and bake at 350 degrees for another 20 to 25 minutes.
- Allow to cool completely and enjoy!
TIPS FOR MAKING MIXED BERRY PIE BARS
- If making gluten-free, be sure to use Gluten-Free 1:1 flour.
- You can use frozen fruit, but baking times will vary.
- The pie bars should bake for 20 to 25 minutes and are considered done with the filling bubbling, and the top crumble topping is lightly golden brown.
- Let these pie bars completely cool. The filling will be too messy if you cut the bars before they thoroughly cooled.
- You can keep these pie bars at room temperature or keep them refrigerated.
- You can use cornstarch, tapioca flour, or arrowroot powder interchangeably.
From the tender and flaky crust, sweet and fruity filling, and crunchy crumbly topping, these pie bars are perfect for any social gathering or event.
