Buttery Blueberry Streusel Squares with Jam and Crumb Topping
Layered fruit squares featuring a tender butter crust, sweet blueberry jam, fresh berries, and golden crumb topping. The buttery base provides rich contrast to tart-sweet fruit, while the streusel adds delightful texture. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or afternoon tea when you want something more refined than basic bars but easier than pie. This version stands out with its jam layer that intensifies berry flavor and prevents soggy bottoms.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup flour
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 dash salt
- 6 tablespoons butter, cold and cut into pieces
- ¼ cup blueberry jamraspberry jam1:1flavor
matches berry choice
- 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoons sugar, if berries aren't very sweet(optional)
- 4 tablespoons butter, cold and cut into pieces
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- 2
Combine flour, powdered sugar, salt and butter for crust
- 3
Cut butter into dry ingredients until pieces are size of small peas
- 4
Press mixture into bottom of 8x8 inch pan
- 5
Bake 10-12 minutes until just starting to brown
- 6
Melt jam in small saucepan or microwave
- 7
Mix berries with flour and sugar if needed
- 8
Combine remaining butter, flour and brown sugar for streusel topping until crumbly
- 9
Spread melted jam over baked crust
- 10
Top with berry mixture then sprinkle with streusel
- 11
Bake 25-30 minutes until berries bubble and topping browns
- 12
Cool completely before cutting
Tips
Use pastry blender or food processor to achieve proper butter texture for both crust and topping - pieces should be pea-sized for flaky results.
Cool completely before cutting to prevent crumbling and allow layers to set properly for clean squares.
Adjust sugar based on berry sweetness - taste before adding to avoid overly sweet filling.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze wrapped squares up to 3 months.
Make crust day before, cover and refrigerate. Assemble and bake day of serving for best texture.
Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled. Cut into neat squares with sharp knife.
Common Mistakes
Press crust firmly to avoid crumbly base that falls apart when cut.
Don't overbake crust in first stage to prevent hard, tough bottom layer.
Cool completely before cutting to prevent filling from oozing and squares from crumbling.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh?
Yes, use frozen berries without thawing. They may release slightly more juice during baking, so add an extra tablespoon of flour to the berry mixture.
What if my berries are very tart?
Increase sugar to 2-3 tablespoons and taste the berry mixture before assembling. Sweet berries need little to no added sugar.
How long do these squares keep?
Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days. Freeze individually wrapped squares for up to 3 months.