Homemade Mixed Berry Crumble Bars

This article features a sponsored partnership with Kellogg’s. All views and culinary creations expressed herein are solely my own.

Discover the ultimate treat: these Mixed Berry Crumble Bars! Perfectly crunchy, bursting with vibrant berry flavor, and incredibly versatile, they make an ideal on-the-go breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a delightful addition to any lunchbox.

Contents

Embracing the Back-to-School Season with Delicious Homemade Treats

The transition from the laid-back days of summer to the structured routine of the school year often feels abrupt. As the calendar pages turn, the reality of “Back to School” quickly approaches. Are you fully prepared for the morning rush, packed lunches, and after-school cravings? For many families, including mine, this period involves a flurry of preparations, from school supply shopping to selecting those all-important first-day outfits. While these tasks are essential, the culinary planning for breakfasts, snacks, and lunchbox fillers often presents its own unique challenge.

Gradually, I’m finding myself embracing the upcoming school year. With just a few short weeks left until the kids return to the classroom, our focus has shifted towards ensuring we have a well-stocked pantry. Beyond the usual store-bought staples, we absolutely adore preparing homemade treats to tuck into their lunchboxes. These homemade goodies not only provide a healthier alternative but also carry a touch of love that store-bought options simply can’t match. Among our growing collection of family favorites, these delightful Mixed Berry Crumble Bars have quickly risen to the top, becoming a regular request in our home! They are the perfect solution for busy mornings or an energizing afternoon pick-me-up, offering a fantastic blend of flavor and convenience.

Smart Shopping for School: Finding Value and Fun at Dollar General

Recently, our back-to-school preparations led us to Dollar General, a fantastic one-stop shop for everything from everyday essentials to delicious breakfast and snack items. Our mission was clear: stock up on breakfast cereals, convenient grab-and-go snacks, and ingredients for some of our favorite homemade recipes. As we navigated the aisles, we made a beeline for the breakfast section, eager to explore the wide array of options and find some great deals to kick off the new school year right.

Our cart quickly filled with classic Kellogg’s® favorites that are always a hit with the kids: the irresistibly sweet Kellogg’s® Frosted Flakes® for a quick and cheerful breakfast, the beloved Kellogg’s® Pop Tarts® for those super busy mornings, and the perfectly chewy Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies Treats® bars for an easy snack. And of course, no snack haul is complete without the satisfyingly crunchy, cheesy goodness of Cheez-It® Baked Snack Crackers. These staples are more than just food; they’re integral to our kids’ morning routines and afternoon snack breaks, providing both energy and a moment of enjoyment. Stocking up on these trusted brands ensures we have reliable, kid-approved options throughout the week.

What truly elevated our shopping experience, however, was the exciting ‘Buy a Box, Get a Book’ messaging prominently displayed on the Kellogg’s® boxes. As parents of two avid bookworms, this promotion immediately captured our attention and sparked genuine excitement. Both of our children absolutely adore reading, constantly expanding their personal libraries. The thought of adding new adventures to their bookshelves, simply by purchasing products we already love and use daily, was too good to pass up. Naturally, I made sure to pick up four boxes of participating Kellogg’s® items, ensuring each child could select two new books, doubling their joy and our value! This ingenious partnership transforms everyday grocery shopping into an educational treasure hunt, making it a truly rewarding experience for the whole family.

Supporting literacy and encouraging reading is something we deeply value, and we frequently purchase books from Scholastic. This partnership between Kellogg’s® and Scholastic through Dollar General offered an incredible opportunity for our children to further expand their literary horizons without an additional expense. It was truly a win-win situation for our family! My son, who is absolutely captivated by the hilarious adventures of Captain Underpants, quickly chose his first book from that series. My daughter, on the other hand, is currently enthralled with all things Shopkins, making her selection an easy choice. You can explore the wonderful selection of books available through this program here. They’ve already made their second selections and are eagerly anticipating their arrival, adding another layer of excitement to the back-to-school season! This initiative not only provides entertainment but also reinforces the importance of reading outside of the classroom.

From Pantry Staple to Perfect Crumble: Crafting Mixed Berry Bars

Inspired by our successful shopping trip and the fantastic Kellogg’s® products we brought home, I returned to the kitchen with a burst of culinary creativity. That’s when I decided to transform a classic pantry staple – a box of Kellogg’s® Frosted Flakes® – into something truly special: these incredible Mixed Berry Crumble Bars. The idea had been simmering in my mind for a while, especially since I had recently stocked up on a bag of delicious frozen mixed berries, envisioning a delightful combination of textures and flavors. I wanted to harness the iconic crunch and subtle sweetness of Frosted Flakes® to create a unique and delightful crust layer for a batch of homemade fruit bars.

The outcome exceeded all my expectations! The Frosted Flakes® crust provided a golden, crispy foundation with a hint of toasted sweetness that perfectly complemented the bright, sweet, and tangy berry filling. The contrast between the crunchy base, the soft juicy berries, and the crumbly oat topping creates a symphony of textures and tastes in every bite. These bars are not only a joy to eat but also surprisingly simple to prepare, making them an ideal project for a weekend afternoon. They were such an instant hit that I’ve already whipped up a second batch to share with our friends and neighbors, who have been equally enthusiastic about their irresistible flavor and texture. It’s a testament to how versatile and inspiring everyday pantry items can be when you approach them with a creative spirit, turning simple ingredients into extraordinary treats.

Mixed Berry Crumble Bars: A Recipe Bursting with Flavor and Crunch!

Mixed Berry Crumble Bars

Prep 10 mins

Cook 35 mins

Inactive 1 hour, 30 mins

Total 2 hours, 15 mins

Author Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Yield 16 servings

These Mixed Berry Crumble Bars are an absolute delight: perfectly crunchy, bursting with vibrant berry flavor, and designed for ultimate convenience. They’re the ideal on-the-go breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a welcome addition to any lunchbox, ensuring deliciousness anytime!

Ingredients

For the Crunchy Frosted Flakes Crust Layer

6 cups Kellogg’s® Frosted Flakes®, crushed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted

For the Sweet Mixed Berry Filling Layer

16 ounces frozen mixed berries (A delightful blend of strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries works beautifully)
4 ½ teaspoons all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For the Golden Crumble Topping

¾ cup old fashioned oats
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
¼ teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
¼ cup butter, melted

Instructions

Preparing the Frosted Flakes Crust Layer

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy removal, then lightly spray with cooking spray. Set this prepared pan aside.
In a food processor, combine the crushed Kellogg’s® Frosted Flakes®, ground cinnamon, and granulated sugar. Pulse until well combined and the cereal is finely crushed. With the processor running, slowly pour in the melted butter until the mixture comes together and is moist.
Press this buttery Frosted Flakes® mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan, forming a firm crust. Bake for 5 minutes to set, then remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Crafting the Mixed Berry Filling Layer

In a medium saucepan, combine the frozen mixed berries, flour, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and fresh lemon juice. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the berries begin to burst and the mixture thickens slightly, typically 5-7 minutes. For a smoother filling, lightly mash some of the larger berry pieces with a potato masher.
Remove the berry mixture from the heat and place it into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to cool down and allow it to thicken further. This step prevents the filling from making the crust soggy.
Once cooled and slightly set, carefully pour the luscious mixed berry filling evenly over the baked and cooled Frosted Flakes® crust layer.

Creating the Golden Crumble Topping

In a separate medium bowl, combine the old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, packed brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly. Pour in the melted butter and use a fork to mix until the mixture is crumbly and well combined.
Generously sprinkle this delightful crumble mixture evenly over the mixed berry layer, ensuring the top is completely covered.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the crumble topping turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges are lightly crisp.
Allow the baked bars to cool slightly at room temperature, then transfer the pan to the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the bars to firm up completely. This makes them much easier to cut into perfect, clean bars. Once chilled, lift from the pan using the parchment paper overhang and cut into desired bar sizes. Enjoy!

Courses Breakfast, Snack, Dessert

Cuisine American

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 16 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 226
% Daily Value
Total Fat 6 g		9%
	Saturated Fat 6 g	30%
Cholesterol 23 mg		8%
Sodium 146 mg		6%
Total Carbohydrates 35 g		12%
	Dietary Fiber 2 g	8%
	Sugars 17 g
Protein 2 g		4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

These Mixed Berry Crumble Bars have truly become a staple in our household. Their delightful combination of sweet, tangy berries and a perfectly crumbly, crunchy crust makes them incredibly hard to resist. From the moment they emerge from the oven, filling the kitchen with an irresistible aroma, to the last crumb, they vanish almost as quickly as I can bake them, proving their status as a genuine crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults alike. Prepare to make these a regular request in your home too!

Unbeatable Value: Maximize Your Savings and Your Library

There’s never been a better time to stock up on your family’s favorite Kellogg’s® products at Dollar General! Right now, you can purchase select Kellogg’s® items for an incredible 3 for $6, which is already a fantastic saving for essential back-to-school items. But the savings don’t stop there – savvy shoppers can unlock an additional $1 coupon to stretch their budget even further, making these family favorites even more affordable. And, as if those deals weren’t sweet enough, you also get to take advantage of the fantastic ‘Buy a Box, Get a Book’ promotion. If this isn’t the ultimate deal to ease the “back-to-school” frenzy, then I truly don’t know what is! It’s a holistic approach to preparing for school, ensuring full bellies and enriched minds, all while saving money.

I’ve already enthusiastically shared this amazing promotion with all my friends and family, and many of them have already submitted their receipts to claim their free Scholastic Books. It’s a testament to the undeniable appeal of this offer, providing both practical savings and educational enrichment. When you can get products your family already loves and uses daily, coupled with free books that foster a lifelong love for reading, it’s truly a no-brainer. This promotion simplifies back-to-school preparations by combining essential food items with educational rewards, making it a stress-free choice for busy parents looking to provide the best for their children without breaking the bank.

While a part of me always wishes summer could last just a little longer, my children are practically bouncing with excitement to return to the classroom. They can’t wait to reunite with their friends, embark on new learning adventures, and, of course, enjoy these delectable Mixed Berry Crumble Bars tucked neatly into their lunchboxes as a delicious mid-day treat! This recipe, enhanced by the smart choices made at Dollar General, truly embodies the spirit of a well-prepared and happy school year, filled with wholesome snacks and new literary journeys.