Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350F Line a 9x9 square baking pan with foil or parchment paper with long ends so you can lift the bars out after they've cooled for easy cutting.

Step 2

Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. I do this in my stand mixer, but you can use electric beaters, or do it by hand. Scrape down your bowl a few times to get it evenly incorporated. Beat in the salt and vanilla, then slowly add the flour, mixing just until there is no dry flour left. Don't over mix. The dough will be crumbly.

Step 3

Take 2/3 of the dough and crumble it into the bottom of your prepared pan. Flatten gently with floured hands until you get an even layer. Add a bit more dough if needed to completley cover the bottom.

Step 4

Arrange the berries evenly over the surface.

Step 5

Top with the remaining dough, crumbling it with your fingers as you add it. Some of the berries will show through, that's fine.

Step 6

Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is just barely starting to turn golden in spots. Let cool on a rack before lifting the cobbler bars out of the pan for slicing.