raspberry jam bars recipe

Written ByJenny Smyth Posted on
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The Best raspberry jam bars recipe

I’ve been making raspberry jam bars for years, and they’re still one of my family’s favorite treats. I first discovered this recipe in a old cookbook that my grandmother had given me, and I was immediately drawn to the simplicity and flavor of the dish. The combination of sweet and tart is just perfect, and the addition of a crumbly oat topping adds a delightful texture to each bite.

As a busy mom, I love that this recipe is easy to make and requires minimal ingredients – just the kind of recipe that fits into our busy lives. My kids adore helping me in the kitchen, measuring out the ingredients and spreading the jam onto the dough. It’s become a special bonding time for us, and something that we all look forward to making together.

Whether we’re using fresh raspberries from our garden or store-bought jam, these bars are always a hit with my family. They’re perfect for a quick snack or dessert, and they’re also great for packing in lunches or taking to potlucks. Plus, they’re relatively healthy compared to other sweet treats – the oats provide fiber and the raspberries are packed with antioxidants.

I’ve even started making them for special occasions like birthdays and holidays – they’re always a crowd-pleaser! My husband loves them too, which is saying a lot since he’s not typically a fan of sweet baked goods. The combination of flavors and textures is just right for him, and he often requests them as an after-dinner treat.

As I mentioned earlier, this recipe is super easy to make – just mix together some rolled oats, sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, cold butter, jam (we use raspberry), egg (optional), vanilla extract (optional), salt (optional), flour (for dusting). Then you press half of the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish lined with parchment paper (so it’s easy to remove once it’s baked). Next you spread on your favorite jam (we like raspberry or strawberry) leaving about 1/2 inch around the edges free from jam so it doesn’t ooze out when baking…

I love how versatile this recipe is – you can use any type of jam you prefer or even fresh fruit if you like! It’s also a great way to use up leftover jam that’s been sitting in your fridge for too long…

Raspberry Jam Bars

4.6 from 1566 votes

Delicious raspberry jam bars are a delightful treat that combines a buttery shortbread crust with a layer of homemade raspberry jam and a streusel topping. This recipe is a must-try for any occasion.

Prep Time25 mins
Cook Time35 mins
Resting Time0 mins
Total Time1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 8Cuisine: InternationalCalories: 300 kcal

🥘Ingredients

For the Shortbread Crust

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt

For the Raspberry Filling

1 1/2 cups raspberry jam

For the Streusel Topping

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

👨‍🍳Directions

1Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
Set aside.
3In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4Add the flour and salt, mixing until the dough comes together.
5Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
6Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
7While the crust is baking, prepare the streusel topping.
8In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
9Add the cold cubed butter and mix with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Set aside.
10Spread the raspberry jam evenly over the pre-baked crust.
11Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the jam, pressing down gently to ensure it adheres to the jam.
12Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the streusel topping is golden brown and the edges are bubbling slightly.
13Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang and cutting into squares.
14Store the raspberry jam bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

🔧Equipment

9×9-inch baking dish
Mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Baking sheet

📊Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🔥Calories: 250 kcal🧈Total Fat: 12g💛Saturated Fat: 7g❤️Cholesterol: 30mg🧂Sodium: 100mg🌾Total Carbs: 35g🥦Dietary Fiber: 2g🍬Sugars: 18g🥩Protein: 2g

📝Notes

Tips: For a more intense raspberry flavor, you can use homemade raspberry jam. Adjust the baking time slightly if using a different size baking dish.

I always feel good about serving these raspberry jam bars because they’re relatively healthy compared to other sweet treats – the oats provide fiber and the raspberries are packed with antioxidants. Plus, they’re easy to make ahead of time so we can grab them whenever we need a quick snack or dessert.

My family loves helping me in the kitchen with this recipe too – it’s become one of our favorite bonding activities! We’ve even started making them for special occasions like birthdays and holidays – they’re always a hit!

My husband requests them often as an after-dinner treat because he loves how versatile this recipe is – you can use any type of jam you prefer or even fresh fruit if you like!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Raspberry Jam Bars

Q: What type of flour do you recommend using?

For this recipe, I prefer using all-purpose flour because it provides the best balance between structure and flavor.

Q: Can I substitute another type of sugar for granulated sugar?

Yes, you can use brown sugar or turbinado sugar as a substitute.

Q: How do I store leftover raspberry jam bars?

You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 2 months.

Q: Can I make these bars ahead of time?

No problem! You can prepare the dough ahead of time by mixing together all the ingredients except for the egg.

Q: What is the best way to serve raspberry jam bars?

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra-special treat!

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