Wednesday, August 5, 2009

BLACKBERRY PIE BARS

Since quite a while, I've been systematically coming across a "The Pastry Queen" recipe for "Blackberry Pie Bars" on many of the blogs I visit and, as I'm a immense (black)berry lover as well as a big bar fanatic, I could not resist the temptation of baking them myself...

"The Pastry Queen" is a Texas treat, best-selling cookbook that has cought my attention since the day it was released. Unfortunately, until now, I had never tested one of their recipes and always had doubts about wether or not I should buy this book. Well, I must say that after having made those fantastic bars, there is no need to convince me to add "The Pastry Queen" to my long list of cookbooks which should sit in my cookery bookshelf!

First of all, it must be said that those bar cookies have a name which brings confusion. I personally don't find that those "Blackberry Pie Bars" have anything in common with pies nor do they ressemble one for the following reasons:
1. The crust is shortbready and very different from flaky pastry
2. The filling is dense and custardy in texture, just like clafoutis. Fruit pies generally have a straight forward and less copious filling consisting of
berries/fruits, sugar, spices and a thickening agent.

Nonetheless, thos facts don't take anything away from those squares' unshakable appeal as they are totally sexy, terrifyingly luscious and incredibly flavorful. So the mistitling isn't all that important at the end. We are not going to dither any longer over the subject...

This summery goodness is irresistibly rich and pleasantly sweet, yet not sickly at all. The ambrosial flavors of blackberries (slightly biting and smoky), butter (round and nutty), lemon (refreshingly zesty) and sour cream (pleasurably tangy) blend well together, and the contrasting textures (smooth, creamy and crunchy) transform those bars into the most exquisite treat.

Those "Blackberry Pie Bars" are terrific and will bring joy amongst your munchers (children and grownups alike) who will chomp on them greedily as they taste like heaven and are addictive like hell!

~ Blackberry Pie Bars ~
Recipe adapted from "The Pastry Queen".

Makes about 24 bars.

Ingredients for the "Crust":
3 Cups (383g) All-purpose flour
1 1/2 Cups (315g) Castor sugar
1/4 Tsp Sea salt
1 1/2 Cups (3 sticks/360g) Chilled unsalted butter, cut into cubes
The zest of two lemons
Ingredients for the "Blackberry Filling":
4 Large eggs
2 Cups (420g) Castor sugar
1 Cup (240g) Sour cream
3/4 Cup (96g) All-purpose flour
1 Pinch Sea salt
16oz (480g) Frozen blackberries, defrosted and drained (see remarks)

Method for the "Crust":
1. Preheat the oven to 180° C (350° F).
2. Grease a 9 x 13-inch backing pan with b
utter or cooking spray and set aside.
3. Zest two lemons.

4. Measure out the sugar onto a clean work surface. Rub the lemon zest into the sugar with a bench scraper or the back of a spoon.
5. Combine lemon sugar, flour, salt and butter in an electric mixer fit with a paddle attachment. Beat the ingredients on medium speed until the mixture looks dry and crumbly.
6. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the crust mixture to use as the topping. Press th
e remaining mixture into the bottom of the pan.
7. Bake the crust for 12 to 15 minutes until it is golden brown.
8. Let cool for 10 minutes while you ma
ke the filling.
Method for the "Blackberry Filling":
9. Whisk the eggs in a medium bowl. Add the sugar, sour cream, flour and salt.
10. Gently fold in the blackberries.

11. Spoon the mixture evenly over the crust (You may have to distribute the blackberries evenly around).
12. Sprinkle the reserved crust mixture evenly over the filling.
13. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until the
top is lightly browned.
14. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour before slicing.

Remarks:
You can also use 3 cups of fresh blackberries, or 1 (16oz/480g) package frozen blackberries. If you’re using frozen berries, be sure to defrost and drain the excess liquid. Place the frozen berries on a plate in the refrigerator overnight.
Instead of using blackberries, why not try making this recipe with other berries such as blackberries, strawberries or raspberries (or a mix of all four berries).
Rubbing the zest into the sugar will release oils from the zest and create a lemon scented sugar.
As this recipe gives a huge amount of bars and we are only two at home, I decided to divide the quantities and bake those bars in a 23x23cm (9 x 9-inch) sheet pan. It worked perfectly and gave at least big 12 portions.
Keep those bars in the fridge (2 to 3 days max.).

Serving suggestions:
Serve those bars with either vanilla or lemon ice cream.

***************

~ Carrés Aux Mûres ~
Recette tirée et adaptée du livre "The Pastry Queen".

Pour environ 24 carrés.

Ingrédients pour la "Croûte":
3 Tasses (383g) de Farine blanche
1 1/2 Tasses (315g) de Sucre cristallisé

1/4 CC de Sel de mer
1 1/2 Tasses (360g) de Beurre non-salé, froid, coupé en cubes
Le zeste de 2 citrons

Ingrédients pour la "Garniture Aux Mûres":
4 Gros oeufs
2 Tasses (420g) de Sucre cristallisé
1 Tasse (240g) de Crème aigre/sure

3/4 de Tasse (96g) de Farine blanche
1 Pincée de Sel de mer
480g de Mûres congelées, dégelées et égouttées (voir remarques)

Méthode pour la "Croûte":
1. Préchauffer le four à 180° C.
2. Graisser/beurrer une plaque de 23 x 33cm et
la mettre de côté.
3. Zester les 2 citrons.

4. Dans un petit bol, bien frotter le zeste avec le sucre, jusqu'à ce qu'il devienne humide et parfumé.
5. Dans un mixer, mettre le sucre parfumé, la farine, le sel et le beurre, puis pulser afin d'obtenir un mélange sableux (tel un appareil à crumble).

6. Mettre de côté 1 1/2 tasse de ce mélange, puis mettre le reste du "crumble dans le moule et bien foncer (applatir) avec les doigts.
7. Cuire la croûte pendant 12 à 15 minutes, jusqu'à ce qu'elle soit dorée.
8. Laisser refroidir 10 minutes sur une grille. P
endant ce temps préparer la garniture.

Méthode pour la "garniture Aux Mûres":
9. Battre les oeufs dans un bol moyen. Ajouter le sucre, la crème fraîche, la farine et le sel. bien mélanger.
10. Incorporer les mûres le plus délicatement possible.
11. Verser ce mélange sur la croûte et bien distribuer les mûres.
12. Saupoudrer de manière homogène avec le reste du "crumble".
13. Cuire pendant 45
à 55 minutes, jusqu'à ce que le dessus soit légèrement doré.
14. Laisser refroidir sur une grille et attendre au moins 1 heure avant de décou
per en tranches.

Remarques:
Vous pouvez utiliser 3 tasses de mûres fraîches ou 480g de mûres congelées. Si vous utilisez des mûres congelées, faites-les dégeler (une nuit au frigo) et égoutter au préalable.
Au lieu d'utiliser des mûres, pourquoi ne pas utiliser des myrtilles, des fraises ou des framboises (un mélange des 4 serait aussi parfait).
En frottant les zestes avec le sucre, vous libérez les huiles essentielles qui parfumeront votre sucre.
Etant donné que cette recette donne des quantité gargantuesques, je vous conseille de la diviser en deux et d'utiliser un moule de 23 x 23cm.
Conserver ces carrés au frigo (2 à 3 jours max.).

Idées de présentattion:
Servez ces carrés avec de la glace à la vanille ou au citron.

104 comments:

  1. Beautiful colour! And yes, they look very luscious! :)

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  2. Rosa, these are seriously mouth-watering!

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  3. I sooo wanna pick these bars off of my screen..

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  4. the pie looks fantastically delish!!

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  5. Rosa ! This ia a wonderful suggestion as Anita loves blackberries so much !! We should try a hike to collect some !!

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  6. OMG! you got my favourite beeries there! and you had done a great job with them, so attractively delicious piece of sweet bar!

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  7. these look so sensational! lovely treats to take with you on picnics!

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  8. Voilà une recette qui me plait beaucoup, fruits rouges...c'est le bonheur, le prolongement de l'été.(que nous n'avons pas eu, ici, jusqu'a ce jour...!)
    Bisous

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  9. ça donne vraiment envie!de notre coté nous avons fait de la confiture de mûre, mais il va falloir que j'essaie cette recette très alléchante

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  10. Irrésistibles tes bars aux mûres. Je suis toujours admirative, quel travail les deux versions Rosa.
    Bises

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  11. They look amazing, the colour is so pretty! Urgh, I'm so gonna try these!

    Katie xox

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  12. Your pictures are perfect! Love the last one, like a fairytale! What a yummy recipe!

    Cheers,

    Miette.

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  13. Rosa those look so delicious and yes you are right they are half a clafoutis and a cobbler. Wonderful result and love that photo of the berry and the jewell. Always a pleasure to visit your site. BTE I'll made another batch of macarons. Cheers from Audax in Australia

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  14. Quel délice ces carrés à la mûre, ce petit fruit si délicat et pourtant avec un caractère à faire pâlir!!! ou rougir peut-être!!!!

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  15. looks positively delicious - I love the ring and berry photo.

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  16. la comme ca, par hasard, il en reste de ce dessert ?? pax en 30' j'y suis chez toi ?!! bisessss
    corinne

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  17. Not exactly like a pie, but they do look delicious! Beautiful blackberries too.

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  18. These look like fantastic treats! Blackberries are gorgeous!

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  19. I love blackberries. I can't imagine how delicious this pie can be.
    Iffet

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  20. Oh wow, these bars look absolutely delicious. Wish I was having a couple of them.

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  21. I had a link to this recipe saved for ages. I finally deleted it when I was cleaning up my links for some reason but now I'm putting it back!

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  22. Mmm I love blackberries! It's funny they're called pie bars!

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  23. What luscious blackberry. I always love bar desserts!

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  24. I love your creative pictures! The bars look delicious!

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  25. Superbe et très appétissantes ! j'adore les mûres et tes barres doivent être bien parfumées

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  26. magnifica Rosa...sempre ricette da far venir voglia di mordere lo schermo....deliziosa!!!
    Buona giornata:-)

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  27. Oh my, this is very delicious blackberry bars. Look very pretty as well.

    Nice ring!

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  28. This definitely is a keeper! Its got all the yummy ingredients. Looks delicious!

    zainab :)

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  29. Name them anything you want - they're definitely sexy! :)

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  30. Tes carrés ont l'air fabuleux en voyant tes belles photos!

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  31. Miam ca a l'air délicieux et super fondant!

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  32. Your photos are so gorgeous! These look fresh and delicious!

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  33. love love love blackberries. Although hard to find around here at times.

    For some reason I have the desire to throw cream cheese in this dish.....

    Looks awesome!

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  34. m speechless rosa!! vat a talent you have in photography.. they are stunning as usual :) they look heavenly delicious!!

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  35. tout simplement un délice comme je les aime.. superbes les photos!
    bisous

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  36. They look fantastic! I love the photos.

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  37. Il est bien délicieux avec ces belles mûres !
    Bisous, Doria

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  38. Oh my. So beautiful. That fruit is spectacular!

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  39. Wow, these sound so good! I am glad you discussed their texture and taste - because now I really want to try them!!!!

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  40. Je suis fan de mûres moi aussi et ta recette est à tomber!!!
    Bisous.
    Caro

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  41. The bars look so good with bits of blackberries! yum yum!

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  42. Oh heavenly bob, that couldn't possibly look more enticing!

    Rosa, I've been eyeing that same book since last year, but like you, I had my doubts about it. I just felt that anything with the title of "queen," "goddess," or "diva" has always made me leery. Is the title somehow compensating for their lack of knowledge or expertise?

    But, if those mouthwatering results are any indication of the great recipes in her book, then, I already feel my money burning a hole in my pocket.
    Thanks my dear, for making up my mind about this book.

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  43. I'm one of those munchers and have got to try these. It's so nice to have fruit recipes in summer. Gorgeous pics as always.

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  44. ça a l'air vraiment onctueux, j'ai eu un choc en voyant la recette, j'ai mangé les premières mures sauvages aujourd'hui ....et ensuite j'ai compris que les tiennes étaient surgelées....J'ai cru que la Suisse s'était réchauffé d'un coup!!

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  45. Rosa I enjoy a lot your creations in colors, texture and taste :))

    All the best with this yummy bar!!

    Gera

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  46. Fabuleux tes carrés aux mûres!
    J'en prendrais bien une bouchée...
    C'est toujours un plaisir que de faire une petite visite chez toi et
    tes photos sont absolument magnifiques!

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  47. C'est bien appétissant, bisous !

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  48. These look and sound fantastic Rosa! I too adore blackberries and their flavour...this is a great idea!

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  49. MAMAPASTA: En fait, les miennes étaient fraîches, de Genève ;-P!

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  50. Looks heavenly,love the purple love of the berries :D

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  51. DEFinitly yummy yum yums (too many yums? I never know).

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  52. ooh heaven and hell bars! I just love the pictures....

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  53. Ce genre de barres, ou de carrés comme on dit au Québec, étaient très populaires à une certaine période. J'en avais un joli répertoire quand les enfants étaient jeunes.

    Celles-là aux mûres me font de l'oeil, peut-être tenterai-je une version sans gluten.

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  54. Oh, my goodness Rosa! As usual your photos are outstanding but this time it was your words that left me longing. I'm lovin' blackberries right now and have to give this a try ASAP!
    ~ingrid

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  55. what beautiful pictures and the blackberries baked up real pretty! i'm lovin these bars too :)

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  56. really a juwel (the best friend of a woman)

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  57. These may have nothing to do with pie, but I sure love the name, "pie bars.'' It makes me imagine indulging in a tiny little pie all by myself. Never a bad thing!

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  58. love the photos on your blog. Very lovely design. Those berry bars look delicious too.

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  59. Yummo! I want to pop one in my mouth now. Just delicious. And how can you resist a good old fashioned treat like this?!

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  60. Hummm, un vrai délice!
    Bisous

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  61. Recette très appétissante et photos magnifiques ...
    c'est toujours un plaisir de venir faire un tour dans ta cuisine virtuelle :o)
    Bises!

    P.S. J'adore tes assiettes!

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  62. How gorgeous they are, they look lovely and delicious! And they are perfect for a break!

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  63. Looks delicious Rosa and I like the cross section picture!

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  64. Gorgeous bars, I cannot wait to try these!!

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  65. They look perfeclty baked and golden. I'd love one of these for a snack!

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  66. i want this! blackberrys looks delicious! the photos excellent..
    you are perfect! :)

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  67. O..my pure luciousness indeed, love the picture of blackberry with a ring ;)

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  68. i was about to say that i'd much rather have straight, regular ol' blackberry pie, but now i'm not so sure--your bars are amazing!

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  69. Oh Rosa these look great! I'm glad you've tried them! i haven't tried them myself, but I was always confused abou the name... they don't resemble pies at all! But they do look delicious!

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  70. je craque devant ces carrés!!! Des gâteaux comme j'aime et des photos comme toujours, sublimes!!! Bravo! Bisous.

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  71. Goodness, thank you for the sweet compliment.
    I adore your blog.
    What fabulous pics !!!

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  72. ohhhh oui !!! j'en veux ! tu me fais saliver ! c'est terrible !

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  73. These look really delicious! I I made blueberry bars last weekend and the lemon zest really made the recipe. Love berries + lemon.

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  74. quels délices ces magnifiques carrés! biises micky

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  75. Un carré ne me suffira sûrement pas... je pense que 2 ou 3 seront les bienvenus!
    Bises.

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  76. Ce me fait craquer, je volerai bien le dernier morceau !

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  77. wow, what a nice color !!! have a nice weekend...

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  78. Hi Rosa, love the way you were able to make the blackberry centre in the bar, great job! Love the pics.

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  79. Oh wow....really luscious and delectable.....love those detailed pictures...very awesome....

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  80. comme ça donne envie !
    la lecture de ton blog devrait être obligatoire pour ceux qui veulent apprendre l'anglais avec plaisir !!
    une idée me viens pour des ateliers de cuisine en anglais...

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  81. Tes carrés sont très appétissants, ils ont l'air délicieux!!

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  82. Rosa, what a wonder!!! This looks really amazing. Guess I must make a stop at the local market and get some blackberries!

    Kudos!

    Lucy

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  83. Divin ces carrés, aux mûres c'est un régal!
    Bises, bon week-end

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  84. The blackberries look juicy and vibrant. I love your pretty plates!

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  85. Rosa, Rosa This is absolutely delicious and tempting! I really love blackberries, we say "moras" and these pictures Rosa are amazing, love them!!!

    Love your bars! Gloria

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  86. You're totally right to have taken a photography of the fruit next to jewelry... it looks just as precious! ...but then again, your bars look just as divine... YUMMY!

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  87. Those bars are stunning, Rosa..and the blackberry flavor and color make them all that more mouth watering - I'd love to try them with raspberries! Amazing as uaual!

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  88. I have made these before and know just how delicious they are!

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  89. I bet they were fantastic! I love those kind of creamy, tangy deserts.

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  90. These pictures are stunning. They make me want to run off and bake a batch of these this instant. Delicious!

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  91. This is a great berry treat, I used coconut sugar instead and paired the final product with coconut sorbet, yummy is right.

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  92. These look delicious Rosa. I have seen them a fair bit on the blogosphere and they are on my to do list as well.

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  93. These sure do look delicious!

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  94. Those bars look so good! I really like the cross sections with the cut blackberries!

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  95. Mais quelles photos géniales! La mûre au centre a l'air d'un coeur!
    Un vrai bijou!

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