Old-Fashioned Blueberry Bars

1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
zest of one lemon
4 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.

In a medium bowl, mix together 1 cup granulated sugar, baking powder, and flour. Use a pastry cutter or fork to blend in the butter and egg. The dough will be crumbly. Pat half of the dough into the prepared baking dish to form the crust.

In another bowl, stir together the 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch. Gently mix in the blueberries to coat them evenly with the sugar mixture.

Spread the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust in the baking dish.

Take the remaining dough and crumble it over the blueberry layer.

Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is slightly browned. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.

For a touch of extra flavor, you could add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the crust mixture. If you’re a fan of nuts, consider sprinkling the top crumble with chopped almonds or walnuts. For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix. Remember, you can experiment with different kinds of berries or even a mix of them to suit your personal preference.