Summertime Blueberry Crisp

For the crisp topping, mix together:

-¾ cup melted butter

½ cup packed light brown sugar

-½ cup white sugar

-1 ½ cup oats. I use regular, not quick oats

-½ teaspoon kosher salt

-1 ¼ cup flour 

Mix together in a separate bowl:

-8 cups fresh blueberries

-juice of one lemon

-⅔ cup sugar

-¼ cup cornstarch

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-Oven temp 350 and grease a 9×13 pan

-Spoon the blueberry mixture into the bottom of the pan.

-Spoon the crisp ingredients on top.

-My tip is to gently spoon ¾ of the crisp into the blueberries so you have texture throughout the dessert. Sprinkle the last ¼  on top. 

-Bake for 45-50 min. Another tip. If the crisp is not quite brown, I pop it under the broiler for about 3-4 minutes so it gets golden and crispy!

You can also make this in a 9×9 square dish and half the recipe. 

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Blueberries For Sal by Robert McCloskey was one of my favorite picture books growing up. I loved the simple illustrations and the sweet storyline. There were two correlations in the book that resonated with me every time. 

My mom, siblings, and I always went blueberry picking during the summer. I remember driving down a long dusty road to the patch, windows open, with the hot air pouring into the station wagon. Looking back I was just like Sal and Little Bear. One blueberry for me, one for the white plastic bucket on a long rope that we put around our necks for gathering. Mom would freeze many of the berries to eat in the winter, just like how the Mother in the story canned hers to eat during the cold months.

The story Blueberries For Sal takes place on Blueberry Hill. In our small city, there is actually a street named Blueberry Hill. Of course, that was another reason why I always loved this book! I think about those long, hot summer days and picking blueberries with my mom. It reminds me of all that’s good in life.  I suppose that’s why I enjoy making and eating blueberry crisp in the summer.

If you, too, remember Blueberries for Sal, you can reminisce by listening to the story.  Just click this link. It’s 8 minutes of joy that will bring you straight back to your childhood!