The Crassy Cookie's Blackberry Cream Bars

The Crassy Cookie's Blackberry Cream Bars

Recipe courtesy of Mallory Dies of The Crassy Cookie. To read more about Mallory, visit her Community Roots feature HERE.

INGREDIENTS
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar, divided
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, divided
1 cup gluten-free flour (1:1 measure)
¾ cup pecan flour
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup finely chopped pecans
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
2 pints blackberries

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9x13 baking dish with foil, just overlapping the edges. Line again with parchment paper. The parchment paper keeps the cake layer from sticking while the foil will help with removing the bars for serving.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and 1 cup of sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Scrape sides of bowl down until fully incorporated.

Add eggs, one at a time. Beat in one teaspoon of vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, pecan flour, baking powder, and salt together.

Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating until just combined. Stir in chopped pecans.

Using a spatula, spread mixture evenly into baking pan. Bake for 45 minutes. Allow bar layer to cool completely.

In a clean or separate bowl, beat cream cheese on medium speed until smooth.

Add second cup of sugar and beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in second teaspoon of vanilla extract.

In a clean or separate bowl, beat heavy whipping cream at medium speed until it becomes thick.

Increase speed to high and beat until a stiff peak forms. Fold one-third of the cream into cream cheese mixture slowly, until just combined. Fold in remaining whipped cream until just combined.

Spread cream mixture evenly over bar layer until smooth. Lightly press blackberries onto cream top until fully coated.

Cover and place in freezer for up to 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Before serving, remove bars from freezer and allow to come to room temperature for 20 minutes.

Using the foil and parchment paper excess, lift and remove bars from baking dish.

Trim about ¼” around edges of bars.

Cut bars into 12 pieces (using a hot knife will make for cleaner cuts). Refrigerate bars until ready to serve.