Zesty Rosemary Lemon Blackberry Bars

Ingredients

• To enhance the natural flow of the ingredients list, here is a revised version:
• For the cooking process:
• Lightly coat with a cooking spray
• Crumb Topping:
• 1/2 cup of white whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup of rolled oats
• 6 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup of light brown sugar, loosely packed
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• Bottom Layer:
• 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup of confectioners' sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon of lemon zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of finely chopped rosemary, or adjust to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup of white whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt
• 2 containers of fresh blackberries, each weighing 6 ounces

Step 1

Begin by preheating your oven to a cozy 350 degrees Fahrenheit (around 175 degrees Celsius). Get your 8-inch baking dish ready by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring a bit of overhang on two sides for easy lifting later on.

Step 2

In a quaint little bowl, combine white whole wheat flour, oats, butter, brown sugar, a hint of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Use a fork to blend them into a delightful crumbly topping, then pop it into the fridge to chill.

Step 3

Meanwhile, in another bowl, whip up a creamy mixture of butter and confectioners' sugar using an electric mixer. Gradually add eggs and egg yolk one at a time, incorporating them well. Toss in some lemon zest, fragrant rosemary, and a touch more vanilla extract for a burst of flavor.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, mix more white whole wheat flour, baking powder, and a hint of salt. Slowly add this dry mixture to the creamy butter concoction in a few batches, stirring well after each addition until a thick dough forms.

Step 5

Spread this luscious dough evenly in your prepared pan and artfully arrange the blackberries on top. Retrieve the crumb topping from the fridge, give it a quick stir, and sprinkle it generously over the berries. Gently press down to pack the topping in place.

Step 6

Pop your creation into the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, typically around 40 to 45 minutes. Once done, let it cool on a wire rack for about an hour.

Step 7

Using the parchment paper edges as handles, lift the bars out of the pan and cut them into 12 delectable pieces using a long serrated knife. Enjoy your homemade treat!