Some little known facts about me:
1. I absolutely can’t stand the sound of sandpaper on anything. I simply cannot be around it. I literally leave the room whenever Dan sands something for a home project, since I clearly can’t do it myself. Just thinking about it is giving me chills, so moving on…
2. I go on cooking and baking sprees. I’ll make 4 or 5 recipes in one day, then not cook for the next two days.
Poor Dan. Our deal is that I cook and he does the dishes. He’s not a huge fan of the clean-up that comes with my cooking sprees.
3. I do not like washing silverware. I will wash as many mixing bowls and baking sheets as you give me, but leave all the forks in the bottom of the sink. Good thing our new house has a dishwasher!
4. At thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales, I can spot Mason jars and vintage Pyrex from a mile away. I have a bit of a problem, according to Dan. I beg to differ. Whereas most girls buy shoes, I buy jars and Pyrex. That’s not weird, right?
5. Usually, I can limit myself to a serving or two of whatever recipe I bake up. Not so with these bars. Within one day, the pan was 3/4 gone. And Dan only ate one bar.
6. What’s really funny is I don’t even like pie all the much, but I love these bars. Especially the way the blueberries burst when you bite into them.
Blueberry Pie Bars
For the crust:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose or whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Pinch of salt
For the “filling”:
1 cup (about half a 14oz can) sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose or whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup melted butter
3 cups fresh blueberries
Preheat the oven to 375F and grease a 9×13″ baking pan.
In a food processor fitted with the dough blade, stir the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and lemon juice. Cut the butter into 8-10 pieces, then use the processor to work the butter into the flour until the butter is in pea-sized chunks.
Savvy Tip: If you don’t have a food processor, you can also use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the butter into the flour.
Evenly press the dough into the prepared pan, and bake at 375F for 20 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
In the meantime, blend the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, flour, and butter until smooth. Fold in the blueberries.
Pour the blueberries over the crust, spreading the filling evenly over the pan. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top begins to firm up. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
Optionally, serve the bars a la mode with French vanilla ice cream. You won’t be sorry.
So….who wants to go shopping for vintage Pyrex with me this weekend?
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
these look MIGHTY delicious. I am totally considering making some of these when it cools down enough to turn on the oven.
also. maybe instead of blueberries i will use chocolate berries.
oh, what’s that
you aren’t familiar with chocolate berries?
i think in some parts of the country they are called chocolate chips.
giant ones.
dark ones.
good ones.
the end.
Heather recently posted..The Good Stuff
Haha, I’m totally calling them chocolate berries from now on
that means they count for produce points, right?
Heather recently posted..Simply Saturday
When I read “blueberries bursting when you bit them” I immediately wanted these!
Erin recently posted..Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas
That’s what made them so irresistible!
I have marked this one for my sister to make
Love me some blueberries! It totally makes them healthy right?
Also… I agree with Heather, maybe I’ll convince my sis to make two batches, one with those chocolate berries. You wanna send me some Heather? I don’t think we have those around here…
I think any cooking spree that involves these is fully acceptable. I love them.
Victoria (District Chocoholic) recently posted..E. Guittard Orinoco: I’m Going to San Francisco Next Month
Agreed. I already need to go on another cooking spree and include another pan of these…
I totally understand the sandpaper aversion. It doesn’t bother me so much but, remember in elementary school we’d always have to paint with tempera paint? It dries all hard, and ugh, I’m getting chills just thinking of the way that particular kind of paint feels when it’s dried.
Elizabeth recently posted..Technology Friend or Foe, Part II
Oo, I can totally see tempura paint bothering you!
Also, did you start a new blog?
Yeah, my friends and I did, but this summer it kind of petered out. Hopefully, now that I’m done with school I’ll have more time to write.
Elizabeth recently posted..Technology Friend or Foe, Part II
You should submit these photos to Tastespotting, they’re really nice!
I love blueberries in baked goods, I’ll have to give these a whirl one day. Also we have the same cooking/dishes set up, and my man is always so sad when he comes home and I’ve been cooking my ass off & left a whole pile of dishes. Oh well, at least they get to eat our delicious food! 
Sara recently posted..How to eat spinach every day (without feeling like you’re eating spinach)
That’s my argument. I’ll try to clean up a bit as I go, but when I’m really on a spree, it doesn’t always make much of a difference…
Looks tasty! I too love blueberries bursting in my mouth!
I wanted to ask if you are still using wp thread comment for your comment system? I’m having an issue with mine and wanted to see what one you are using now, thanks!
eatingRD recently posted..bridal shower blessings
No, I just have it set to “threaded comments” in my settings
ok, have that checked, but it’s strange because when I reply within wordpress, the reply isn’t showing up on the actual blog page. hmmm
Do you also hate the feeling of paper towels on dry skin? lol that’s one of those things that makes me shudder. weird!
eatingRD recently posted..what to do with an eggplant
That’s weird! Are you replying from your dashboard or on your actual post?
I’ve never thought about the paper towels on dry skin, but could totally see that being annoying!
Woah. I love blueberries so this is perfect. I also HATE the sound that sandpaper makes on anything *shudder*
I just thought about it again and my skin is CRAWLING
Well those look like perfection…SO delicious!
We have so many home-grown blueberries that we are able freeze a lot of them. So I always have blueberries to hand. This recipe will provide a real treat and a change from traditional blueberry pie.
Kristine Banks recently posted..Zojirushi Home Bakery
These sound delicious!
Also, I’m totally with you on vintage Pyrex and Mason Jars. I recently scored 3 1970s Pyrex bowls at a thrift shop and I’m loving them.
Emily @ Relishments recently posted..My 7 Links
Lucky! What pattern?
Early American (like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200633715703&clk_rvr_id=251306168955). Not my favorite color/pattern of all time, but pretty cute, in great condition and so useful!
Emily @ Relishments recently posted..My 7 Links
My mouth is watering just looking at those pictures. I lose control around blueberries. Haha. BTW, I’m a Pyrex addict, too.
carly recently posted..My Irvine dentist
Woahhh there, these look amazing! Pie..bars..blueberries, my dream? i think so! What a delicious little recipe, you have such a fabulous blog indeed and i love your writing style
definitely will be a regular visitor from now on!
Welcome and enjoy!
We have the I cook you clean rule too. He hates my canning and cooking sprees but loves the tastes so he doesn’t complain too much
Cynthia (It All Changes) recently posted..To Your Health: Clean Out Your Medicines
When I was a kid and had to dishes, many nights resulted in angry tears over silverware. Now, thankfully, I have a dishwasher.
Clarice recently posted..Don’t Forget the Tent Poles
We were VERY happy to see that there was a dishwasher in our new house!
Oh, Julie…thank you so much for posting this recipe. Your description makes it impossible to resist and the sun has moved to the west, so……they just came out of the oven. We have blueberries growing right outside the kitchen door. How could I justify not baking these ? Had to make them right away. Oh boy, are you right ! Amazingly delicious. Hope my husband, Sam, is hungry tonight. He loves cobbler and fruit-based baked goods/desserts in general. He better start eating his share of these or I am in serious trouble. : ( Love your posts. Have the same addiction to vintage pyrex as you do and would love to go shopping !!! Ever try the Sunday flea market in High Falls, NY or their local antique stores ? You will be very happy, I promise. Thanks again, Julie….xxoo,
your loyal subscriber, E
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the bars!
I haven’t been to High Falls…how far would you say it is from Ithaca?
I love all your facts! Especially number 2, I do that so much! It seems to work OK, except I’m the one doing the dishes too, haha. Your bars look awesome! I have a hard time restricting myself with baked goodies like this, especially with blueberries. Yummy!
Heidi @ Food Doodles recently posted..Raspberry Brownies
Ooh, I need these in my life immediately.
And, I’m the freak who can not be in a room when someone is touching cotton balls. The sound of them squeaking between fingers makes me want to hurl myself off a tall building. And the feeling? Oh, Lord, no. Do not ask me to actually touch a cotton ball. I will die.
Karly recently posted..Chorizo Empanadas
One of my good friends cannot STAND cotton balls or QTips. So you’re not alone there!
Found this on foodgawker and want to make it now.
Got frozen (local) blueberries in my freezer!
I go on cooking/baking sprees myself and make huge messes in the kitchen but my husband gladly eats it all.
I go to flea markets & resale marts just for Pyrex and Ball jars.
Selina recently posted..Jennifer’s Lentil Balls
Enjoy the bars!
What’s your best Pyrex find?