How to Make Raspberry Dessert Bars – Sweet & Tart Delight!

There’s something special about the balance of sweet and tangy in raspberry dessert bars.

These bars combine a buttery crust with a slightly tart raspberry filling and a soft, crumble-like topping—perfect for tea-time treats, bake sales, or a simple afternoon pick-me-up.

You need basic ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and fresh or frozen raspberries.

I prefer making the base and topping from the same dough—just press half into the pan, spread raspberry filling, and crumble the rest on top.

Once baked, they slice into neat squares with that beautiful ruby center peeking through. The smell alone is enough to get everyone circling the kitchen!

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Recipe Overview

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Ingredients

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Tools You’ll Need (with Alternatives)

• 8×8 inch baking pan (or 9×9 inch pan)
• Mixing bowls (or any large container)
• Pastry cutter (or two forks or hands)
• Measuring cups/spoons (or digital scale)
• Spatula (or butter knife)
• Parchment paper (or lightly greased foil)

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How to Make Raspberry Dessert Bars

Here’s how to layer buttery crust and tangy raspberry filling into the perfect handheld treat.

These bars are easier than they look—just follow each step closely.

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Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prep the Pan

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides so you can lift the bars out later.

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Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Add cold butter cubes.

Use a pastry cutter, forks, or your fingers to blend until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. It should hold together when pressed.

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Step 3: Press the Bottom Crust

Scoop about 2/3 of the dough into the prepared pan. Press it firmly and evenly to form the base layer.

Set the remaining dough aside for the topping.

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Step 4: Prepare Raspberry Filling

In a bowl, gently toss raspberries with cornstarch and lemon juice. This helps thicken the fruit layer while keeping it bright and fresh.

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Step 5: Add Raspberry Layer

Spread the raspberry mixture over the crust. Try to distribute the berries evenly across the surface without smashing them.

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Step 6: Crumble the Topping

Sprinkle the reserved dough over the raspberry layer. Let some of the berries peek through for a pretty finish.

Don’t press down—just let it sit loose on top.

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Step 7: Bake

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the berry filling is bubbling slightly.

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Step 8: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool in the pan for 20–30 minutes. Then lift the parchment and transfer to a cutting board to slice into squares.

Cool completely before serving.

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Decoration & Serving Tips

• Dust lightly with powdered sugar once fully cooled
• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Add a drizzle of lemon glaze for extra brightness
• Great for gifting: wrap bars in parchment and tie with twine

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Variations to Try

• Raspberry Almond Bars: Add almond extract to the dough and sliced almonds on top
• Chocolate Raspberry Bars: Sprinkle chocolate chips in with the berries
• Mixed Berry Bars: Use a mix of raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries
• Vegan Version: Swap butter for vegan margarine and check sugar source

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Storing Tips

• Store bars in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days
• Refrigerate for 4–5 days for firmer texture
• Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw in fridge before serving

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Extra Tips

• Use cold butter for the best crumb texture
• Don’t overmix the dough—coarse crumbs make better topping
• Fresh raspberries are great, but frozen work just as well
• Line the pan for easier cleanup and perfect slicing

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Common Mistakes & Fixes

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Let’s Bake and Share Raspberry Dessert Bars!

These raspberry dessert bars are the kind of treat that disappears fast—sweet, tart, and full of homemade charm.

Give them a try and let me know how they turned out in the comments!