Cozy up with these homemade Raspberry Jam Bars – a simple, delightful dessert that will brighten up any day. The luscious combination of buttery shortbread and sweet raspberry jam creates a treat that you’ll crave again and again. With just five ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep work, you’re bound to fall in love!

Why You’ll Love These Raspberry Jam Bars

Sweet, Fruity Flavor: These bars beautifully balance the bright and tangy raspberry jam with a rich buttery crust. It’s a flavor combination that will make everyone’s taste buds sing.

Year-Round Delight: Unlike many desserts that are tied to a season, these jam bars can bring joy any time of the year. You can even swap out the raspberry jam for your favorite flavor, making it a versatile treat.

Crumbly Texture: While the jam gives a sticky sensation, the shortbread crust is perfectly crumbly, making for an incredible mouthfeel.

Easy to Share: These bars can be prepared ahead of time and transported easily, making them perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or dinner parties.

Ingredients

• Raspberry Jam: Use a sweet and tangy jam. Seedless is a great option for a smoother texture.
• Unsalted Butter: This deliciously rich ingredient forms the base of your cookie crust. If you prefer, salted butter can also be used, but adjust the salt accordingly.
• Granulated Sugar: This adds sweetness and helps achieve a lovely golden hue on top.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is essential for the dough, giving it structure and consistency.
• Salt: A little salt enhances the overall flavor and balances out the sweetness of the jam.

How to Make Raspberry Jam Bars

Whether you’re in need of an afternoon snack, something sweet for brunch, or a simple dessert to share, these raspberry jam bars fit the bill. The process is incredibly easy and lends itself to creativity—feel free to add oats or chocolate chips to the mix!

Follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Beat: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until they become light and fluffy—this should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Mix: Gradually add in the flour and salt, either by hand or on low speed, until the mixture becomes crumbly and holds together when squeezed in your palm.
4. Press: Take two-thirds of the dough and press it firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the raspberry jam evenly over the top, followed by crumbling the remaining dough over the jam.
5. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the jam is bubbling, and the crumble on top turns golden brown.
6. Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment paper and slice them into squares. Enjoy!

If you want to mix things up by adding oats or chocolate chips, consider the following:

• For oats: Replace 1 1/2 cups of flour with 1 cup of rolled oats. Gently mix them into the butter, and proceed as directed.
• For chocolate chips: Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips onto the jam before adding the crumble topping.

Tips for the Best Raspberry Jam Bars

Baking is often filled with nostalgic memories, and making these bars will surely provide some joyful moments in your kitchen. Not to mention the delightful aroma that will fill your home!

To ensure your bars are absolutely perfect, keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t overwork the dough: It’s important for the dough to be crumbly yet hold its shape. Avoid excessive mixing to maintain texture.
• Parchment paper is key: A sticky mess awaits if you skip this step, so line the baking pan generously with parchment paper.
• Choose high-quality jam: Since the flavor of the bars relies heavily on the jam, opt for a good quality brand to ensure a delicious result.
• Evenly press the base layer: Use the bottom of a measuring cup to firmly press the mixture into the pan, ensuring a consistent thickness.
• Protect the edges: When adding the jam, leave approximately a 1/4-inch border to keep it from bubbling over and burning during baking.
• Create texture with the crumble: Pinch the dough into varying sizes for the crumble topping. It will enhance both the texture and visual appeal of the bars.

How to Store

Worried about leftovers? No need! These raspberry jam bars taste fantastic even after a few days.

To Store: Keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate them to last up to a week.

To Freeze: Allow the bars to cool entirely before transferring them to an airtight container. Be sure to separate layers with parchment paper, and they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to indulge!

For the best taste, let the refrigerated bars come to room temperature before serving.

More Easy Dessert Bars You’ll Love

If you enjoyed making these raspberry jam bars, you might want to try:

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Banana Cream Pie Bars
• Avalanche Bars
• Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars