Loaded with a double-delight of juicy berries and topped with lots of buttery oat streusel, these patriotic crumb bars make a super-easy, yet very impressive 4th of July dessert!
Question here guys: How much crumb topping is too MUCH crumb topping?
Answer: You can never have enough. Sorry, but facts are just facts.
And the fact of the matter is that the keys to a banger 4th of July dessert are now in your hands.
The bars? They’re in your tum. Deffffff in your future!!
So. I’m clearly behind as far as the 4th of July goes. It snuck up on me this year for REAL! Granted, I haaaaave been a little distracted lately with all the party stuff this past weekend and the fact that my sister with her kiddos have been staying with us the past few days.
But still. The 4th is one of my favorite holidays! It’s the only day of the year that you can have both hot dogs AND hamburgers on one plate! The annual binge-day of juicy watermelon. The one day of the year that noisy neighbors shooting off firecrackers in the street aren’t super-annoying.
Oh, wait. My family ARE those neighbors. Brothers and their “toys.” Oy.
So in short, these bars are my peace offering to you for being so holiday spirit-less. I mean, you really cannot even get more patriotic than a CLASSIC berry-loaded, streusel-laden bar.
Because red strawberries + blue blueberries + white-ish streusel topping = A whole lot of PATRIOTIC. And a whole lot of YEE-UM.
Hello, gorgeous. You make the 4th errrrrrr’thing that it is. ♥
So far everyone I’ve served these bars to have fallen head-over-heels in love. My grandpa (who by the way is totally a chocolate-belongs-in-everything kinda person) told me that since these bars had fruit and oats in ’em they could qualify as lunch. Every day.
I KNEW I wasn’t the only one!!
There’s really nothing not to love about these bars. They’re so soft, buttery and STREUSEL-loaded! Seriously so much streusel, but I wouldn’t love it/have it any other way.
And the berries. A double-whammy. Makes you go like whoaaaaaaaaa!
Plus the ease. You can’t even beat it. Spoiler alert: the crust and the topping is actually the same! Spoiler alert #2: the berry filling is only three ingredients—yea!!
How much are those potential holiday weekend guests going to love these bars? A lot. How many leftovers are there going to be? ZE-RO.
And with that, I shall leave you to get to your crumb bar-binging business. And hopefully this won’t be the first/last patriotic recipe I share with you before the 4th.
Red White and Blue Berry Crumb Bars
Ingredients
- CRUST AND TOPPING:
- 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup cold butter cubed
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- FILLING:
- 1-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/3 cup strawberry or blueberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Line an 8-in square baking pan with foil and lightly grease. Set aside.
- Make the crust: In a large bowl, combine all crust/topping ingredients and toss with a fork until crumbly. Press 2/3 of mixture evenly into the bottom of prepared baking pan. Set aside remaining crumb mixture.
- Bake crust in preheated oven 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside
- Make the filling: In a medium bowl, combine all filling ingredients, then evenly spread over pre-baked crust. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture evenly over fruit filling.
- Bake bars at 375F 20-25 minutes or until filling is bubbly and topping is golden-brown. Cool bars completely on a wire cooling rack before cutting into squares.
Notes
Now attack those berry bars and don’t leave the crumbs.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Sarah, I LOVE these bars for the 4th!!!!! Berries all the way!!!
Sarah says
Thanks Alice! Bring on the berries!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I don’t think there’s ever such a thing as too much crumb topping! These bars look delicious, Sarah! Just what I need for my 4th of July celebration. Love the berries in here, and that topping, of course…yum!
Sarah says
Right?? The more crumb topping the better! 😉 Thanks girl!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
More crumb topping, please! Love these bars, Sarah! They will make a healthy alternative celebration snack this coming weekend!
Sarah says
Thanks Jen! Total health food so it’s totally ok to have two!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Wnat to hear the most depressing thing ever? They cancelled our fireworks this year! With the big draught in California, and all the dry grass, they don’t want to risk any fire. So now we have to drive allll the way to the beach for fireworks. Lame! These bars look delicious! And no, no such thing as too much crumb topping!
Sarah says
No waaaay! That’s so lame. But at least you get to see the fireworks on the beach, so that’s fun! (never done that myself!) 😉 Thanks Natalie!
Chelsea@TableForOne says
I agree! There is not a thing as too much crumb topping. These look so pretty Sarah. I will have to add these to the 4th of July menu.
Sarah says
Thank you Chelsea!! Let me know if you end up making these for the 4th! 😉
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
You are so right! Can never have enough crumb topping! Love how easy these bars are to make and with the red and blue berries they are perfect for the 4th of July!
Sarah says
Thanks Christin! These bars sound right up your alley!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
I agree I love love crumb topping! These sound and look amazing! Loving these for anytime of the year. And how cute are those baby strawberries. 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Cyndi! Those tiny strawberries were locally grown from some friends of ours! I’ve been obsessing over their adorb baby size for daaaays. 😉
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
I just LOVE a good crumb bar! I just picked fresh strawberries today and need to make these! Pinned 🙂
Sarah says
It sounds like you are destined to make these bars, girl! Nothing beats fresh-picked strawberries. 😉
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
These crumb bars are gorgeous! Plus they are absolutely perfect for fourth of July. These are sure to be a big hit!
Sarah says
Thanks Shelby!!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
These are gorgeous, Sarah! Crumb bars are the best especially when you pile on a ton of topping! My mouth is watering over those pretty berries!So delicious!
Sarah says
Yes! The more topping the merrier I always say. 😉 Thanks girly!
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says
There can NEVER be enough crumb topping. Ever. I love your grandpa’s outlook on life: That anything with berries in it qualifies for lunch! 😉 Love these crumb bars. They are perfect for the 4th!! 🙂
Sarah says
I totally want all of his wisdom someday. I mean, it just makes sense right??
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
These bars are gorgeous!!! I love the colors! That crumb topping looks so good, it is always my favorite part! Pinning!
Sarah says
Thanks for pinning and for the sweet words, Mariah!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
Never enough crumb topping!! Man these look amazing Sarah! These bars are such beauties. 🙂
Sarah says
Aww thanks so much, Alyssa! xoxo
Kathy Mader says
My goodness, you are some kind of marvel. I’ve been following some blogs and somehow yours has become my favorite…well, we know how! Then I just noticed on the side bar how to make French press coffee? Are you kidding me? I’m staring at my husband’s coffee maker that has a million nooks and crannies to clean and I have a French press that was given to me and I’ve never used it. This is very exciting! Thank you!
Sarah says
I’m glad to hear that you’re a new follower, Kathy! Thank you for the kind words. And oh, you so need to give french press coffee a try! LMK what you think of it if you do! 😉
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
Oooh, love this patriotic treat! Bars are the best dessert, especially with this crumbly topping!
Sarah says
Right?! My choice of dessert ALWAYS. 😉 Thanks Kelly!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
How perfect are these for the 4th? I say absolutely perfect. They look so tasty!
Sarah says
Haha thanks Kristi!! xoxo
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
These bars are so pretty Sarah! They would be perfect for Fourth of July!
Sarah says
Thank you so much Kelley! xoxo
Manali @ CookWithManali says
perfect for 4th July, love these bars Sarah! and there can never be too much crumb topping!
Sarah says
Thanks Manali! And agreed!! Crumb topping is the best part. 😉
Kennedy Cole@KCole's Creative Corner says
This looks perfect for the upcoming 4th of July! You can NEVER have enough crumb topping! 😀
Sarah says
Thank you Kennedy! Isn’t crumb topping the best??
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Oooh these look divine!! Love crumb bars and strawberries and blueberries together are just amazing!! 🙂
Sarah says
Aww thanks Annie! These sound right up your alley, girlie!