Warm Wishes for a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

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Dear Readers, 

 

I wanted to send you early wishes for a safe and happy 4th of July!  What are your plans for the holiday?   As a child it meant parades, visiting carnivals, an extra day at the beach, and evening fireworks!  I am proud to say it’s meaning holds true for me despite my age.  To this day I still love fireworks and have eagerly sat for a few hours on the Brooklyn promenade waiting for the evening Macy’s fireworks show.  I personally felt it was worth the wait!  

 

I hope you have a great day whether it is a block party, family baroque, or a day at the beach/ lake!  Personally, I hope to squeeze in that coveted day at the beach.   With this post I am sharing a recipe for blueberry bars.  It is a delectable summer treat and I have found it to be a big hit at every gathering I have brought it too!  I pray it serves the same at your next summer gathering.  

 

Love Always, 

Kristina Lucia xoxo

Blueberry Bar Recipe

INGREDIENTS FOR FILLING:

  •       3 cups of fresh (or frozen) blueberries 
  •       1 cup of blueberry preserves (jam)
  •       1 tablespoon of flour

INGREDIENTS FOR CRUST:

  •       1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  •       1 cup (firmly packed) dark brown sugar
  •       1 cup oats
  •       1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  •       1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  •       1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  •       1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

·       1 cup margarine (or butter) at room temperature

PREPARATION

  1.   Preheat oven to 375°F and grease 8×8” baking pan.
  2.   In stand mixer, beat butter till light and fluffy.  Add dry ingredients to the mixture. Beat until fully combined.
  3.   In a separate bowl mix blueberries, preserves, and flour together.
  4.   Time to prepare the bars!  
  5.   Split the dough in half.  Press half the dough on the bottom of the pan. 
  6.   Spread blueberry mixture over this layer.  
  7.   Put the remaining dough on top.  (Trick!  For the top dough layer, I press it into a square on wax paper and then flip it into the pan for the top layer.)
  8.   Bake for 40 minutes or until the cookie edges are golden brown

6.    Eat and enjoy with loved ones J (My favorite step!)