Description

These Tangy Blueberries and Aromatic Lavender Shortbread Bars combine a buttery, delicate shortbread crust infused with fragrant lavender with a vibrant blueberry filling accented by lemon zest and juice. Baked to a golden perfection and dusted with powdered sugar, these bars offer a delightful balance of floral and fruity flavors perfect for summer dessert or an elegant afternoon treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Shortbread Crust

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
½ cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender (crushed)

Blueberry Filling

2 cups fresh blueberries
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Topping

Powdered sugar for dusting

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Instructions

Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
Make the Shortbread Dough: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with ½ cup granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the flour, salt, and crushed culinary lavender, mixing until a crumbly dough forms, being careful not to overwork it.
Form the Crust: Press about two-thirds of the shortbread dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating a firm, even crust base for your bars.
Prepare the Blueberry Filling: In a separate bowl, gently toss the fresh blueberries with ⅓ cup sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and lemon zest ensuring the berries are well coated to help thicken the filling during baking.
Assemble the Bars: Spread the blueberry mixture evenly over the shortbread crust layer in the pan. Then crumble the remaining one-third of the dough over the blueberry filling to create the topping.
Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes or until the top is lightly golden and the blueberries are bubbly, indicating the filling is cooked through.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust the surface with powdered sugar for a decorative and sweet finish. Slice into 9 bars and serve.

Notes

Use food-grade dried culinary lavender for the best flavor and avoid an overpowering taste.
Measure lavender carefully as too much can overwhelm the other flavors.
For optimal flavor, enjoy these bars the next day after the flavors have fully melded.
Ensure the bars are completely cooled before slicing to maintain their structure.