Description
Jam Shortbread Bars – Buttery shortbread crust filled with sweet jam. Quick, comforting, crowd-pleasing treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup high-quality jam (strawberry, raspberry, apricot, or blackberry work beautifully)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides to help lift the bars out later. This step is crucial for clean, easy removal of your **Jam Shortbread Bars**.
- Step 2: Make the Shortbread Dough In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt until well combined. Add the cold cubed butter and, using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining. Stir in the vanilla extract. The dough should be crumbly but hold together when pressed.
- Step 3: Form the Base Layer Take about two-thirds of your shortbread mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan, creating an even layer. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to smooth the surface, ensuring you have a solid foundation for your **Jam Shortbread Bars**. Prick the dough all over with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
- Step 4: Add the Jam Layer If your jam is very thick, warm it slightly to make it more spreadable. Carefully spread the jam in an even layer over the shortbread base, leaving about a ¼-inch border around the edges. If using, sprinkle the lemon zest evenly over the jam for an extra dimension of flavor.
- Step 5: Add the Crumble Topping Gently squeeze the remaining shortbread mixture in your hand to form small clumps, then sprinkle these over the jam layer, creating a rustic crumble topping. This will give your **Jam Shortbread Bars** that beautiful textural contrast between the crisp base, jammy center, and crumbly top.
- Step 6: Bake to Perfection Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the jam is bubbling slightly at the edges. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so start checking at the 35-minute mark for that perfect golden hue.
- Step 7: Cool and Cut Allow the **Jam Shortbread Bars** to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling period is essential—cutting warm bars will result in a messy presentation and may cause them to fall apart. Once fully cooled, lift out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife. For the cleanest cuts, wipe your knife between slices.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg