Pecan Crumble Blueberry Shortbread: buttery shortbread crust layered with blueberries and crunchy pecan crumble topping. These scrumptious shortbread bars are for all the blueberry lovers!
So Father’s Day was just this past weekend and what a glorious day it turned out to be. At home it was sunny and over ninety degrees hot in the city. But we escaped to Maine for the afternoon and the temp dropped twenty-five degrees just an hour north on the coast.
I picked Ogunquit for our Father’s Day celebration because I adore the Marginal Way, the lovely cliff walk in Perkins Cove. And I also knew we needed big winds for kite flying since the boys and I surprised Jon with a new kite!
Initially they had trouble getting the kite airborne in the protected beach cove. But once they moved to the cliffs — it really took off, much to the delight of the boys and everyone walking the Marginal Way. So fun, ours was the only kite flying that day.
The kite was labeled a “stunt kite”, and it definitely had the moves. At one point it was flying high, then dove to nearly a few feet off the ground, then headed back up.
Such a pretty scene. Sailboats skimming the sparkling water and surfers galore. It was a gorgeous day to celebrate in Maine.
So Jon is definitely a blueberry lover. He likes blueberry ice cream and blueberry cobbler. Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins and blueberry pound cake.
I wanted to try something new for his Father’s Day dessert. Something portable that wouldn’t melt or need vanilla ice cream for our picnic. A dessert that would travel well and nicely round out the menu of fruit salad, Maple Glazed Ribs and Grilled Corn, Basil and Tomato Salad with Feta.
So I made these Pecan Crumble Blueberry Shortbread bars and they were a big hit all around. The toasted pecans complement the buttery shortbread beautifully.
I’d never made blueberry shortbread before but so glad I tried. The sweet blueberry jam was scrumptious with the crunchy pecan crumble topping.
I used Wild Maine Blueberry Jam from Stonewall Kitchen in these shortbread bars. But you could also use homemade blueberry jam or your favorite kind.
Pecan Crumble Blueberry Shortbread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cold butter
- 1 cup blueberry jam
- 1/2 cup broken pecan halves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt.
- Cut in cold butter with a pastry blender until just crumbly.
- Set aside 1 cup of this mixture to use as a topping later.
- Lightly grease a 9 X 9" square baking pan or use parchment paper.
- (An 11 X 7" pan also works fine.)
- Press remaining flour mixture into the bottom of prepared pan.
- Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or 'til lightly browned.
- Cool crust.
- Spread blueberry jam over crust.
- Stir in broken pecan halves with the reserved 1 cup flour mixture.
- Sprinkle on top of the blueberry jam.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes more or 'til golden brown.
- Cool 1 hour on wire rack.
- Cut into sixteen bars.
You may also like: Raspberry Peach Almond Shortbread Bars
Carina says
That sounds like a delightful picnic, Allie! Beautiful surroundings, the kite, and a wonderful meal topped off with this yummy dessert! Easy to transport and serve – seems picnic perfect. Well, you guys are making a great start to the summer already, and summer doesn’t even officially start until tomorrow! Enjoy the week! Xo
Allie says
Thank you so much Carina, it was a magical weekend all around. There’s something so wonderful about the ocean. We all love it. So much to stay busy with, sand, shells, crabs, waves, etc. The kite was a bonus. I just love the ocean so much! Have a great week Carina, the weekend’s almost here again! XO
Catherine says
Dear Allie, I am so happy to hear you had a wonderful holiday weekend. These blueberry bars look wonderful! I love fruit bars especially over a shortbread crust. Save one for me! Have a wonderful day dear. xoxo, Catherine
Aunt Pinkie says
These bars look scrumptious! My kind of dessert bar!
Allie says
I know you’ll love these, and they’re so easy.
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I am a blueberry lover, so this must be for me! 🙂 I love shortbread bars and paired with blueberries is simply fabulous!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
These bars look delicious. It sounds like you had a lovely day Beautiful photos!
kellie says
YUM!!!! I love shortbread & blueberries, so this is a perfect pairing!!!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
How can you go wrong with anything on top of a layer of shortbread? These look yummy !
Kristen says
These bars are incredible!! And sounds like a perfect Father’s Day. I took my husband to a Georgia Florida Line, Luke Bryan concert when we were home visiting family in Ohio (free babysitters!) It was incredible–especially when they announced Cavs won!! We are pathetic Cleveland fans who have been waiting our whole lives for one of our teams to win!
Allie says
Nice Kristen, congrats you Cleveland fan!!! We were here watching that game with bated breath! Hope you two enjoyed the concert, and free babysitting is always a good thing! XO
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
The Maine coast sounds like the perfect escape from the heat! I would love to eat a few of these blueberry bars next to the water!
Heather Kinnaird says
these bars sound like the perfect way to end such a lovely day!! what a gorgeous setting you had for kite flying
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Love anything with blueberries! This pecan crumble shortbread looks absolutely divine. So drool-worthy! I could eat this all day! Easy dishes are right up my alley! And love how easy and delicious this is.
Eva says
Tes photos sont très belles Allie ! J’aimerais avoir ton gâteau pour mon pique nique de demain! Il est parfait! Ici, la fête des pères c’était aussi dimanche dernière. J’ai fait une mousse au chocolat, un des dessert préfères de mon mari. xoxo
Adina says
So simple and so delightful and with ingredients I always have in the house (well, no pecans – they’re not very easily found here, I always replace them with walnuts). Gorgeous pictures of the see and the sky!
Susie Mandel says
This looks delicious, and your pictures are incredible, Allie. So glad you had fun flying Jon’s new kite!
Denise Q. says
One of these with a nice cup-a-tea, sounds divine!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Wow, you guys certainly take a lot of trips, Allie! I’m jealous! You guys are always out and about enjoying the outdoors and going on adventures! 😉 SO glad ya’ll had a lovely father’s day and time in Maine! These shortbread bars are amazing!! LOVE the buttery crust with blueberries and pecan crumble topping! I bet these are highly addictive! Guess I will need to double the batch, huh? 😉 Cheers, dear friend! xoxo
Allie says
The funny thing is Chey, we don’t do too many trips. I think I seriously get out of the house (besides the grocery store) every couple weeks. Maybe a little more in summer. But I think I somehow manage to squeeze every outing we go on into a blog post. Ha ha. Thanks for the kind words, the weekend is coming. Maybe I’ll get out again! 🙂 Hope you do too. XOXO
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Oh Allie, I am so glad to hear Jon and all of y’all had a wonderful father’s trip and successful kite flying expedition! BTW – that kits is gorgeous – there used to be this beach in Sri Lanka called “galleface” where we (as children) used to go fly kites and my dad was always helping us – seeing Jon in that picture reminded me of my dad.
I also happen to love blueberries and the combo of blueberries and pecans – mmm mmm mmm it’s just mouthwatering! You came up with the perfect portable Father’s day dessert – though I think it should be an everyday desert 😉
Happy Wednesday to ya – hope this week has been good to ya.
XOXO