Cozy up with these homemade Raspberry Jam Bars — a simple, buttery treat bursting with fruity flavor.
With just five basic ingredients and 10 minutes of hands-on prep, you’ll create a dessert that’s delightfully nostalgic and perfect for any occasion. These bars feature a crumbly shortbread crust, a sweet-tart layer of raspberry jam, and a golden, buttery crumble topping that melts in your mouth.
🍇 Why You’ll Love These Raspberry Jam Bars
Sweet, Fruity Flavor: The bright, tangy raspberry jam perfectly complements the buttery shortbread base for a crave-worthy balance of flavors.
Year-Round Dessert: No need to wait for raspberry season! These bars taste amazing any time of year and can be made with your favorite jam flavors.
Dreamy Texture: The combination of sticky, sweet jam and tender, crumbly shortbread is pure comfort in every bite.
Perfect for Sharing: Raspberry Jam Bars are easy to make ahead, pack, and transport. Great for bake sales, potlucks, brunch, or gifting!
🧈 Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – Creates a rich, buttery base. (Use salted butter and skip the added salt if preferred.)
- ½ cup granulated sugar – Adds sweetness and helps the bars turn beautifully golden.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – Forms the structure of the shortbread crust and topping.
- ½ teaspoon salt – Balances sweetness and enhances the buttery flavor.
- 1 cup raspberry jam – The sweet, fruity centerpiece of these delicious bars. Use seedless jam for a smooth texture.
Optional add-ins: Rolled oats for extra texture or chocolate chips for a decadent twist.
👩🍳 How to Make Raspberry Jam Bars
These bars come together effortlessly and fill your kitchen with the most wonderful aroma while they bake.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Mix in the flour and salt on low speed or by hand until the dough is crumbly but holds together when pressed.
- Press two-thirds of the dough into the bottom of the pan to form the base.
- Spread the raspberry jam evenly over the crust, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the top for a rustic finish.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the jam is bubbly and the top is lightly golden.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Lift the bars out using the parchment paper, slice into squares, and enjoy!
🌾 Optional Add-Ins
- Oats: Replace ½ cup of flour with ½ cup of rolled oats for a heartier texture.
- Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle ½ cup of chocolate chips over the jam before adding the crumble topping for extra indulgence.
💡 Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t overmix the dough. It should be crumbly yet able to hold its shape when pressed.
- Line with parchment paper. The jam gets sticky — lining the pan makes cleanup easy.
- Use quality jam. The jam provides most of the flavor, so choose one you love.
- Press evenly. Use a measuring cup to press the crust evenly for consistent thickness.
- Leave a border. Spread jam about ¼ inch from the edges to prevent bubbling over.
- Vary the crumble size. Pinch small and large bits of dough for a beautiful texture.
- Experiment! Try different jams like strawberry, blackberry, or apricot, or mix in lemon zest or nuts for a flavor twist.
🧊 How to Store Raspberry Jam Bars
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep for up to 1 week for a firmer texture.
- Freezer: Freeze in a sealed container with parchment between layers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.
🍰 More Easy Dessert Bars to Try
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Banana Cream Pie Bars
- Avalanche Bars
- Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars
These Raspberry Jam Bars are buttery, fruity, and simply irresistible — perfect for any day you want something sweet, simple, and full of charm.
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