Blackberry Pie Bars

Ingredients

• For the Pie Crust:
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup ice water (more if needed)
• For the Blackberry Filling:
• 4 cups fresh blackberries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Make the Pie Crust: In a large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of flour, 1 cup of cold butter, 1/4 cup of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with pea-sized pieces of butter still visible to ensure flakiness.
2. Add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. You may need to add more water if the dough feels too dry; it should be moist but not sticky.
3. Form the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
4. Prepare the Blackberry Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups of blackberries, 1 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of cornstarch, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes, stirring gently until the mixture starts to thicken and bubble.
5. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while you prepare the bars.
6. Assemble the Bars: Roll out one disk of dough on a floured surface into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Place it in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.
7. Pour the blackberry filling over the crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
8. Roll out the second disk of dough and cut it into strips or use a cookie cutter for decorative shapes. Arrange the strips over the filling in a lattice pattern.
9. Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
10. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.