Berry Crumb Bars

It's been ages since I posted a recipe on the blog here... and considering that those posts are some of my most visited posts, I decided to share another one. Baking is my love language and I did a little baking this weekend at the request of my dear husband who was craving something sweet and fruity... and I had some strawberries that needed to be eaten and some blueberries from the picking I did last week, so I whipped up this old recipe here and I'm wondering why it's been six years since I made this last (I posted this recipe to my old xanga blog back in the day... that's how I know).

Well, after I shared a picture on instagram/facebook, I had more than one person ask for the recipe, so here it is!!

 for later and Enjoy!

The original recipe is pretty simple and you can find it on allrecipes, Blueberry Crumb Bars. But after I read some of the comments/suggestions I tweaked the recipe a little.  Here is my recipe.

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
a shake or two of salt
a couple shakes of cinnamon

1 cup shortening
1 egg
a capful of vanilla
a capful of lime (or lemon) juice
and a little bit of water
1/2-3/4 cup of oatmeal (for use later)

a pint fresh blueberries
1 bag frozen raspberries
(or any combination of berries equalling 4 cups)
1/2 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons cornstarch

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together sugar, flour, and baking powder.  Mix in salt and cinnamon.  Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the shortening and egg. Dough will be crumbly.  Add vanilla, lime juice, and water to help it stick together a little bit and press half the dough into prepared pan.
3. In another bowl, stir together the sugar and cornstarch.  Gently mix in the blueberries and raspberries.  Sprinkle the berry mixture evenly over the crust.
4. Add 1/2 cup or so of oatmeal to remaining dough and crumble over the berry layer.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes or until top is slightly brown.  Cool completely before cutting into squares.

It's definitely one I will make again!

A different kind of art

So my "God-sized Dreams" mostly include making cards and writing and encouraging others with both. The month of January was a bit sparse in both. So I'm linking up with Crystal Stine to share a little bit "Behind the Scenes" of my instagram feed lately (lots of baking)... and linking up with Holley Gerth, because I needed some encouragement for my heart today!

Thankfully, God has also given me another outlet for creativity... and I've been using it a lot this month. Maybe it was because I missed eating Christmas cookies, or maybe it's just because I love to bake!! First there were scones for the kick-off of Downton Abbey. There was birthday cake and cinnamon rolls (three times). Pumpkin muffins with chocolate chips.

Fresh bread (with a machine), and apple pie and banana bread. Banana cupcakes with homemade frosting and pumpkin cookies with glaze... And then there was the rainbow jello in team colors for the Super Bowl party. I just couldn't stop myself...

And that doesn't even count the home made pizza I make almost weekly, the new dinners I tried and the delicious corn fritters we had last night.  There is something about using my kitchen that delights me. Now if only I could learn to bake and eat healthy stuff!

I was getting a little discouraged about my quietness on the blog and my dormant etsy shop, but I was reminded that I do have other dreams (being a better wife and mom, being a real-life friend and encourager, etc) and the time I spent in my kitchen helped me do that when I shared some of the goodies I created.

All this to say, I haven't been writing lately, and all my good intentions for my card shop fell flat this month, but I still made art... in my kitchen!!



So on the long hard days, when you aren't sure you've done anything right (and believe me, I've had a handful of those this month), and when you aren't even sure what your dreams are, or how to pursue them... and you still haven't figured out what you want to be when you grow up, just look around you, look at what brings a smile to your face, look at what fills your instagram profile, look for the gifts and the graces from God. Chances are you might just find something that you've done right, something that fulfills the dreams of your heart. Sometimes you just have to be quiet to see them.

So friend, can I encourage you heart today?

Keep dreaming.

Keep taking snapshots of your daily life.

Keep spending time in God's Word.

Keep asking Him for guidance, direction and encouragement.

And Keep trusting Him to fill the desires of your heart!


holleygerth.com

Community Conversation: What do YOU need to hear on the long hard days?  and What do you like to create in the kitchen (any recipes to share with me)?