Raspberry Chambord Squares ~ fresh juicy raspberries are baked right into a buttery shortbread crumble crust and then topped with a Chambord laced glaze ~ the liqueur gives this simple dessert an elegant flavor!
There’s no doubt about it, spring is nudging its way into our life lately, but then again, Los Angeles is in a kind of perpetual spring, so it doesn’t have the same meaning here as it does for some of you in other parts of the country. You might be seeing the tops of little crocuses peeking out from under a thin layer of snow, but we have entire boulevards bursting out in neon pink flowering trees.
I got into the spring spirit and picked up a couple of packs of fresh raspberries the other day and I designed these Raspberry Chambord Squares to showcase them. I love Chambord because it has a true raspberry flavor, and it enhances the fresh raspberries beautifully.
These crumb bars have become a signature dessert here on the blog. I’ve made tons of them and they’ve all turned out incredibly well. Each one has its own personality and flavor profile distinct from the others. I’ve been making them with whatever happens to be in season, and they lend themselves well to all sorts of fruit and non-fruit fillings. Because I don’t cook the raspberries, or add any sugar to this filling, these bars they have a vivid, fresh fruit flavor.
Some of my other favorite crumble squares ~
- JACK DANIEL’S PEACH PIE SQUARES
- WHOLE WHEAT & OATMEAL MARMALADE BARS
- NUTELLA S’MORES BARS
- MEYER LEMON MACADEMIA CRUMBLE SQURES
Ingredients
- 2 6 oz baskets of raspberries
- 1 Tbsp Chambord raspberry liquor
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
- 1 - 2 Tbsp Chambord
Instructions
- Set the oven to 350F
- Grease a 9x9 square baking pan. I like to line it with parchment paper with overlapping ends so I can lift it out after it bakes for even cutting.
- Rinse the raspberries and shake off all the excess water. Toss them gently with the cornstarch, lemon juice and Chambord. Set aside.
- Cream the soft butter, sugar, and salt until well blended. Add in the vanilla, and then the flour. Blend until the mixture has a crumbly texture, and there is no dry flour remaining.
- Pat 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of the pan, using your fingers. It doesn't have to be perfect, just make sure to cover all of the bottom of the pan.
- Spread the raspberries and any juice evenly across the layer of dough. Crumble the remaining dough between your fingers and lay on top of the raspberries. There will be raspberries showing through, that's fine.
- Bake for about 45 minutes until lightly golden on top.
- Cool the squares in the pan until firm enough to lift out using the parchment paper as a sling. Finish cooling on a rack.
- Make the glaze by mixing the sugar, Chambord, and a little water, if necessary to form a glaze. Use more or less Chambord to taste. Drizzle the glaze lightly over the squares only when they have completely cooled. (They taste great without the glaze, too)
Make it your own ~
- I think these raspberry bars would also be nice with a little almond extract or Amaretto in the glaze in place of the Chambord.
- If you can’t locate fresh raspberries, try a good quality raspberry jam.
Don’t forget to pin these Raspberry Chambord Squares!
23 Comments
Kim
March 30, 2017 at 1:47 pmI would like to make these for a wedding shower that I am co-hosting in another state. Do you think I could make them a couple of days ahead and freeze them? Thanks.
Sue
March 30, 2017 at 4:15 pmI don’t see why not, Kim, shortbread usually freezes well. Don’t put any glaze on until you’ve defrosted them.
Kim
March 31, 2017 at 9:46 amThanks!
Bérangère
April 12, 2014 at 11:15 amI spotted this and I’m excited to try it! With or without Chambord. I used Grand Marnier with raspberries and chocolate in a semifreddo and I’m sure it would work here. The peaches and JD bars sound really exciting too!!
grace
March 19, 2014 at 5:05 amnot only are these super pretty, but raspberries pack such a flavorful punch! lovely bars, sue!
Kathy
March 18, 2014 at 11:27 amRaspberries are always at the top of my list for favorites…add some Chambord and these have to be over the top! Perfect for welcoming in the Spring!
Velva
March 17, 2014 at 9:33 amYOu are most definitely inviting spring! Living in Florida I think I live most of he year in a perpetual summer (laugh).
These fruit crumble bars are beautiful-thanks for sharing them.
Velva
Shema | LifeScoops
March 17, 2014 at 6:49 amThose raspberry squares look so delicious… chambord glaze sounds amazing !!!
Sue
March 17, 2014 at 7:11 amThanks Shema!
dina
March 16, 2014 at 5:08 pmthese are beautiful bars. i love the colors!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
March 16, 2014 at 1:29 amAbsolutely divine, Sue. I still have some frozen raspberries waiting to be used…might just turn them into these gorgeous bars.
TheKitchenLioness
March 16, 2014 at 12:00 amSue, all of your crumb bars look delightful but I think that I am partial to the ones with peaches – they remind me of the very popular Streusel cake that we enjoy so much around here – amazing photography and such a delightful blog! Thank you also for stopping by my blog – this way I got a chance “to find” your wonderful blog. Looking forward to your upcoming posts- but in the meantime, I shall look at some fo your recent posts.
Have a lovely Sunday!
Liz
March 15, 2014 at 6:34 pmI just made raspberry Chambord brownies, so I know how terrific this combo is! Gorgeous bars!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
March 15, 2014 at 5:43 pmI love Chambord, these bars look so light and spring-like!
Eileen
March 15, 2014 at 4:57 pmThese bars sound like the best excuse ever to go get a bottle of Chambord. :) I always have a hard time not just eating raspberries right out of the container, but I’d exert a little willpower for these!
Barbara
March 15, 2014 at 4:14 pmAwesome, Sue! Love the other combos you’ve made too. Think I’ll have to try it with my beloved rhubarb!
Sue
March 15, 2014 at 4:53 pmRhubarb is high on my list for the next version!
Monique
March 15, 2014 at 12:44 pmMy son-in-law has Chambord..Yay..
Geesh those Nutella squares too Sue..well..all of them!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine
March 15, 2014 at 11:53 amThese are calling my name all the way to North Carolina! I love all fruit but raspberries are at the top of the list. Add crumbles and Chambord and I’m in heaven – amazing Sue! (I love the photo with the drizzle, so cool)
Sue
March 15, 2014 at 12:47 pmThanks Chris — I’m not such a fan of raw raspberries, for some reason, but when they cook down like this they get so much more flavor — then add the Chambord and wow!
Mimi
March 15, 2014 at 11:29 amChambord is the best! Beautiful!