Jam Shortbread Bars
These easy jam shortbread bars feature a buttery, crumbly base layered with your favorite jam and a golden, bakery-style topping. Perfect for potlucks, brunches, or a cozy homemade treat, they’re simple to make and endlessly adaptable.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 2/3 cups (335g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 – 1 cup (240g) thick jam or preserves (raspberry, apricot, strawberry, etc.)
- Optional: 1 tablespoon coarse sugar or demerara sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch (20x20cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy lifting. Alternatively, butter and flour the pan.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add cold, cubed butter and vanilla extract. Cut butter into flour mixture using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (pea-sized bits of butter are fine).
- Pour about two-thirds of the crumb mixture (roughly 3 cups) into the prepared pan. Press down firmly and evenly to form the base.
- Gently spread jam over the crust, going all the way to the edges. If jam is too thick, microwave for 10-15 seconds to loosen.
- Crumble the remaining shortbread mixture evenly over the jam layer. Sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and jam is bubbling at the edges.
- Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, lift out using the parchment sling and cut into 16 squares or 12 larger bars. For cleaner slices, chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before cutting.
Notes
For gluten-free bars, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Keep butter cold for the best crumbly texture. Use thick jam to prevent soggy bars. Add nuts or citrus zest for variation. Cool bars completely before slicing for clean edges. Bars freeze well for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/16 of recipe)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 60
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 27
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
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