Blackberry Pistachio Crumble Bars

These Blackberry Pistachio Crumble Bars are a beautiful blend of tart berry jam, crunchy pistachios, and buttery crumble—all layered together into a soft, golden bar. With just the right balance of sweet and nutty, they’re perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a midday pick-me-up. Easy to make and even easier to devour, these bars are a must-try for fruit dessert lovers.

The first time I baked Blackberry Pistachio Crumble Bars, I had a jar of blackberry jam that was too good to waste and a bag of shelled pistachios leftover from holiday baking. I combined them on a whim with a simple crumb crust, and the result was better than I imagined. My husband called them “the grown-up cousin of fruit bars,” and my daughter packed one in her lunch the next day. Now, they’re a regular request whenever berries are in season—or not, thanks to jam!

Why You’ll Love Blackberry Pistachio Crumble Bars

• Buttery, Crumbly Texture with a crunchy nut topping

• Tart-Sweet Blackberry Jam pairs perfectly with the richness of pistachios

• Easy to Make – no mixer needed

• Perfect for Any Occasion – breakfast, brunch, dessert, or gifting

Ingredients Notes For Blackberry Pistachio Crumble Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Base for the crust and crumble

• Rolled Oats: Adds heartiness and texture

• Brown Sugar: For that warm, caramel sweetness

• Butter: Cold and cubed for the perfect crumble

• Chopped Pistachios: Unsalted and shelled, adds a pop of crunch and color

• Blackberry Jam or Preserves: Use a high-quality or homemade version for best flavor

• Vanilla Extract & Salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness

Recipe Steps

1. Preheat Oven: Set to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.

2. Make the Crumble: In a bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter with a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pistachios.

3. Press the Base: Press about two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan.

4. Add the Jam: Spread blackberry jam evenly over the crust.

5. Crumble the Topping: Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top, gently pressing it down.

6. Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and bubbling at the edges.

7. Cool & Slice: Let cool completely before slicing into bars for clean edges.

Storage Options

• Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days

• Refrigerator: Lasts up to a week—best chilled

• Freezer: Freeze cut bars in layers for up to 2 months

Variations & Substitutions

• Try Different Jams: Raspberry, cherry, or fig also work beautifully

• Add Citrus Zest to the crumble for brightness

• Make It Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 GF flour blend and certified GF oats

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh blackberries instead of jam? Yes—cook them down with sugar and lemon juice to make a quick compote before layering.

Do I need to toast the pistachios first? Optional, but toasting enhances the nutty flavor.

Can I double the recipe? Absolutely—use a 9×13-inch pan and bake a bit longer.

Blackberry Pistachio Crumble Bars

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Course: Dessert, Snack

Kitchen: American, Mediterranean-Inspired

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 16 bars

Ingredients

 

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• ▢ For the Crust & Crumble:
• ▢ 1 cup 0.5 lbs unsalted butter, softened
• ▢ ¾ cup 0.38 lbs granulated sugar
• ▢ **1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 cups 1 lb all-purpose flour
• ▢ **½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ½ cup 0.25 lbs chopped shelled pistachios (plus more for topping)
• ▢ For the Blackberry Filling:
• ▢ 2 cups about ¾ lb fresh or frozen blackberries
• ▢ ¼ cup 0.13 lbs granulated sugar
• ▢ **1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ▢ **2 teaspoons cornstarch
• ▢ ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• Preheat Oven:
• Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
• Line an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• Make the Crust/Crumble Mixture:
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
• Mix in vanilla extract, then add flour and salt.
• Stir until crumbly, then fold in chopped pistachios.
• Press the Crust:
• Press about 2/3 of the dough firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust. Reserve the rest for the topping.
• Prepare the Blackberry Filling:
• In a small bowl, gently toss the blackberries with sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and vanilla.
• Spread the mixture evenly over the crust.
• Add the Crumble Topping:
• Crumble the remaining dough over the blackberry layer. Sprinkle extra chopped pistachios on top if desired.
• Bake:
• Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly.
• Let cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.