Blackberry Lemon Squares

Oh my goodness—first, thank you so much for stopping by. Whether you’re here for a weekend baking project or looking for a new treat to take to your next gathering, I promise: you’re in the right place.

These Blackberry Lemon Squares are one of those desserts that instantly feels like a hug. Inspired by the transition from late summer to early fall, they balance zingy lemon with sweet-tart blackberry in the most luscious, tender bar. The crust is buttery and golden, the filling is smooth and fruity, and that powdered sugar dusting? Pure magic.

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🍋 Why You’ll Love These Blackberry Lemon Squares

• Perfect balance of tangy and sweet – The lemon and blackberry combination is truly dreamy.

• No mixer needed – Just a bowl, a whisk, and a spatula.

• Beautiful for brunch, baby showers, or tea time – Anything but boring!!

• Make-ahead friendly – These chill perfectly and slice like a dream the next day.

• A feast for the senses – The smell when this is in the oven is incredible!!

🧁 What They Taste Like

Imagine: a buttery shortbread crust that melts in your mouth, topped with a layer of velvety, fruity filling that tastes like sunshine and garden-fresh berries. It’s like a lemon bar got all dressed up for a fancy brunch and brought blackberries to the party.

✨ Benefits of This Recipe

• Great way to use summer berries

• Easy to prep ahead of time for guests or events

• Freezer-friendly (yes, really!)

• Customizable with other fruits or herbs like mint or thyme

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Blackberry Lemon Squares

These Blackberry Lemon Squares are a tender, fruit-filled dessert that blends buttery shortbread crust with a silky, tangy lemon-blackberry filling — perfect for late summer or early fall baking.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 43 minutes mins

Total Time 58 minutes mins

Servings: 16 squares

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 190

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups fresh blackberries (or thawed, drained frozen)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• powdered sugar, for dusting

See also  Christmas Pavlova Wreath

Equipment

• 9x9-inch square baking pan
• Mixing bowls
• Fine mesh strainer
• Whisk
• Parchment paper
• Zester or microplane
• Spatula
• Blender

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy lifting.
2. In a bowl, stir together 1½ cups flour, ½ cup powdered sugar, and ¼ tsp salt. Add melted butter and mix until crumbly. Press evenly into pan. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.
3. Purée blackberries in a blender. Strain through a mesh sieve into a bowl to remove seeds — you should end up with about ¾ cup of puree.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and flour until smooth. Add blackberry puree and mix until the color is a deep berry pink and fully combined.
5. Pour the filling over the cooled crust. Bake 22–25 minutes, or until set and the center doesn’t jiggle.
6. Cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment to lift out, then dust generously with powdered sugar. Slice into 16 squares.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 52mgPotassium: 68mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 280IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.6mg

Notes

Straining the blackberry puree is key for a smooth texture. For easier zesting, always zest before juicing your lemons. Use a hot knife for clean slices after chilling, and don’t skip the chilling time for neat bars and deeper flavor!

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

📝 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Crust:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling:

• 2 cups fresh blackberries (or thawed, drained frozen)

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 3 large eggs

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

For Finishing:

• Powdered sugar for dusting

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

• 9×9-inch square baking pan

• Mixing bowls

• Fine mesh strainer

• Whisk

• Parchment paper

• Zester or microplane

• Spatula

🔄 Substitutions & Additions

• Use lime instead of lemon for a tropical twist

• Add 1 tsp vanilla extract to the filling for a smoother finish

• Top with an oat crumble if you want more texture

• Swap blackberries for raspberries, blueberries, or a berry mix

• Use gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe GF-friendly

👩‍🍳 How to Make Blackberry Lemon Squares

Step 1: Prep That Pan

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy lifting.

Step 2: Make the Crust

In a bowl, stir together 1½ cups flour, ½ cup powdered sugar, and ¼ tsp salt. Add melted butter and mix until crumbly. Press evenly into pan.

Bake for 15–18 minutes, until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.

Step 3: Make the Blackberry Puree

Purée blackberries in a blender. Strain through a mesh sieve into a bowl to remove seeds—you should end up with about ¾ cup of puree.

Step 4: Whisk the Filling

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and flour until smooth. Add blackberry puree and mix until the color is a deep berry pink and the mixture is fully combined.

Step 5: Pour and Bake

Pour the filling over the cooled crust. Bake 22–25 minutes, or until set and the center doesn’t jiggle.

Step 6: Cool and Dust

Cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment to lift out, then dust generously with powdered sugar. Slice into 16 squares.

🍽 What to Serve With These Squares

• Hot tea or lavender lemonade

• A cheese board with brie and honey

• Fresh whipped cream

• Vanilla bean ice cream (especially if the bars are slightly warm!)

🧊 Storage Instructions

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

• Freezer: Freeze sliced bars between layers of parchment in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

💡 Tips for Success

• Don’t skip straining the blackberry puree — it keeps the texture smooth and luxurious.

• Zest before juicing your lemons (trust me, it’s way easier).

• Use a hot knife for clean cuts after chilling.

• Chill before slicing – makes neater bars and deeper flavor!

❓ FAQ

→ Can I use frozen berries?

Yes, thaw and drain them well first so you don’t water down your filling.

→ Why does my filling crack?

This can happen if it’s overbaked. Pull it from the oven as soon as it’s set in the center.

→ Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! Use a 9×13-inch pan and bake an extra 5–7 minutes.

→ Do I have to strain the berries?

It’s recommended for texture, but you can skip it if seeds don’t bother you.

💬 Final Thoughts

These Blackberry Lemon Squares are more than just dessert—they’re a celebration of the changing seasons, a nod to the garden, and a whole lot of love wrapped up in a buttery crust.

If you’re like me, one bite in and you’ll be wondering why you haven’t been baking these all year long.

🫐 More Fruit-Filled Recipes to Try Next

• Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Cake

• Strawberry Cream Cheese Tart

• Peach Cobbler Bars

• Raspberry Almond Shortbread Bars

📸 Made This Recipe?

I’d LOVE to see your version! Tag your photos with #bakingwithjoy on Instagram or share your review on Pinterest. It’s a joy to see these recipes become part of your table.

🥄 Nutrition (Per Bar – Approximate)

• Calories: 190

• Carbs: 24g

• Sugar: 17g

• Fat: 9g

• Protein: 2g

• Fiber: 1g

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