Jam Shortbread Bars Recipe
These Jam Shortbread Bars feature a buttery, crumbly shortbread base topped with a sweet layer of your favorite fruit jam and a crisp, golden crumbly topping. Perfect for serving alongside coffee or tea, they combine simple ingredients for a delightful homemade treat that’s easy to prepare.
- Author: Victoria
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Shortbread Base
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Jam Layer
- 1 cup fruit jam of your choice
Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Make the Shortbread Base: In a mixing bowl, beat together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Then add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Mix the Ingredients: Stir the mixture gently until it forms a crumbly dough. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the shortbread base.
- Bake the Shortbread: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the shortbread is lightly golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Add the Jam Layer: Spread 1 cup of your chosen fruit jam evenly over the cooled shortbread base, covering the entire surface layer.
- Prepare the Topping: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cut in 1/2 cup of cold unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Topping to the Bars: Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the jam layer in the baking pan to cover it completely.
- Bake Again: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the topping turns a light golden brown and becomes crisp.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan placed on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice into squares or rectangles for serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve these delicious jam shortbread bars with your favorite hot beverage such as coffee or tea for a delightful treat.
Notes
- You can use any fruit jam you prefer, such as raspberry, strawberry, apricot, or blueberry.
- Make sure the butter is cold when preparing the topping to achieve a crumbly texture.
- For easier removal, line the baking pan with parchment paper and lift the entire block out before slicing.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (based on 16 bars)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: jam shortbread bars, jam bars, shortbread dessert, easy dessert recipe, fruit jam bars, homemade bars, crumbly bars