Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars

Toasted sliced almonds add a streusel-like crunch to the tops of these Southern bramble-meets-orchard bars.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided

• 4 large eggs

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 3/4 tsp table salt

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

• Shortening

• 3 (6-ounce) packages fresh blackberries (about 4 cups)

• 4 cups peeled and sliced fresh firm, ripe peaches

• 3 tbsp bourbon

• 1 cup sliced almonds

The Southern Cookie Book

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat first 2 ingredients and 1 cup granulated sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.

2. Combine baking powder, salt, and 3 cups flour in a medium bowl; gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating just until blended. Spread three-fourths of batter in a greased (with shortening) and floured 13- x 9-inch pan; sprinkle with blackberries.

3. Combine remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup flour in a medium bowl; add peaches and bourbon, stirring to coat. Spoon mixture over blackberries. Dollop remaining one-fourth batter over peach mixture; sprinkle with almonds.

4. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour or until golden brown and bubbly. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack (about 1 hour). Cut into bars.