From the buttery melt-in-your-mouth shortbread with a sweet jam layer and crumbly topping, these jam shortbread bars are a must-bake treat for dessert lovers. Use your favorite jams and jellies, store-bought or homemade, and you're sure to love every slice.
Save This Recipe to Your Inbox
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you’ll join our email list and can unsubscribe anytime.
We went jam and jelly crazy at my house this summer and made everything from Homemade Grape Jelly to Watermelon Jelly and even How to Make Strawberry Jam (for Canning), so this Jam Shortbread Bars recipe became a delicious way to use those leftover spoonfuls from half-filled jars.
Not only is it simple, but it transforms basic pantry ingredients into something truly crave-worthy.
If you've ever made jam at home, you know there's always that foamy skim or the awkward half jar that won't seal. I used a blend of fridge-stored ends like my Peach Peel Jelly and Apple Jelly (for Canning) to make these shortbread jam bars, and it created an unexpected flavor twist I can't stop thinking about.
The sweet-tart jams perfectly cut through the rich buttery base and the crumbled topping added a lovely crunch. The best part? You only need one bowl, one pan, and one reason to sneak a second square.
These shortbread bars with jam are both frugal and flexible, and it might just be your new favorite way to make use of those fruity odds and ends. But if you're looking for individual cookies instead of bars, you have to try our delicious Sourdough Thumbprint Cookies!
Jump to:
💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Frugal & Flexible: Jam shortbread bars are perfect for using up partial jars of jam, jelly foam, or small-batch homemade preserves.
- One Bowl Wonder: Only one bowl needed for the shortbread, which makes cleanup fast and easy.
- Foolproof Texture: The buttery shortbread is crisp yet tender, pairing beautifully with gooey jam and a crumbly topping.
🛒 Ingredients
- Butter: This is what gives the shortbread its rich, tender texture and slightly crisp bite.
- Granulated + Brown Sugar: White sugar for structure, brown for a hint of caramel flavor and softer crumb.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base structure for the shortbread, use spoon-and-level for accurate measuring.
- Jam or Jelly: Any flavor works! Choose something bold or blend a few for layered complexity.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Nutty Crumble: Add ¼ cup chopped walnuts or almonds to the crumble topping for added texture and flavor.
Spiced Bars: Mix a pinch of cinnamon into the dough for cozy warmth (works well for seasonal jam flavors).
Citrus Glaze: Instead of powdered sugar, drizzle a quick lemon glaze over the cooled bars for a bright finish.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use the odds & ends: Combine small amounts from multiple half-jars (even foam-skimmed homemade jam) for a layered flavor.
Store-brand staples: Butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla are great places to save.
Stretch servings: Cut smaller squares and dust with powdered sugar (they're rich, you won't miss the bigger slice).
Pan flexibility: 8×8 yields thicker bars; 9×9 gives more pieces for the same cost.
🥄 Instructions for Jam Shortbread Bars
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 or 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper or grease well. Set aside.
Step 2: Add your butter and sugars to a large mixing bowl. (Image 1). Cream together until light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla. (Image 2).
Step 3: Mix together to combine. (Image 3).
Step 4: Add in the flour and salt. (Image 4).
Step 5: Mix together until the dough forms. It will be crumbly but hold together when pressed. (Image 5).
Step 6: Press ⅔s of the dough into the bottom of your prepared baking pan to form an even crust. (Image 6).
Step 7: spread your jam over the top in an even layer. Try to leave a small border around the jam. (Image 7). Take the remaining dough and crumble it up over the top of the jam layer.
Step 8: Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until the top is lightly golden and the jam is bubbling. (Image 8).
Let cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving. Enjoy.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Let It Cool: The jam shortbread bars must cool fully before cutting or they will fall apart. Patience is key!
- Use a Spoon or Offset Spatula: To evenly spread jam without lifting the dough.
- Dough Texture: It should be crumbly but hold when pressed, like wet sand. If it's too dry, add 1 teaspoon milk.
- Foam-Skimmed Jam Tip: If using jam skimmed from foam, stir well before using to distribute sugars and pectin.
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Room temp: Store your jam shortbread bars in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Fridge: Up to 1 week; bring to room temp for best texture.
Freeze: Up to 2 months. Freeze in a single layer, then stack with parchment between slices.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Serve these bars with hot coffee or tea for an afternoon treat, or pair them with cold milk for a kid-friendly snack. For a dessert platter, add fresh berries and a bowl of lightly sweetened whipped cream for dipping.
- Homemade Grape Jelly RecipeRecipe $8.56 / Half-Pint $1.22
- Apple Jelly (for Canning)Recipe $7.13/ Half-Pint $1.46
- Peach Peel JellyRecipe $5.23 / Half Pint $1.31
- How to Make Strawberry Jam (for Canning)Recipe $9.62 / Half-Pint $1.60
❓ Jam Shortbread Bars FAQs
Yes! Use a 9x13 pan and extend the bake time by about 5 minutes, watching for golden tops.
Use a dairy-free butter substitute like Earth Balance or Miyoko's - the texture may be slightly softer.
Raspberry, strawberry, and apricot are all classic choices. Bolder flavors like plum or blackberry are also fantastic!
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- Birthday Cake Stuffed CookiesRecipe $7.60 / Serving $0.84
- Strawberry White Chocolate CookiesRecipe $3.57 / Serving $0.10
- Flourless Chocolate Chip CookiesRecipe $3.00 / Serving $0.19
- Peanut Butter Butterfinger CookiesRecipe $3.74 / Serving $0.31
🐝 If you tried these Jam Shortbread Bars, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Jam Shortbread Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - ($1.98)
- ½ cup granulated sugar - ($0.12)
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed - ($0.05)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ($0.03)
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour - ($0.41)
- ½ teaspoon salt - ($0.01)
- ¾ cup jam or jelly, any flavor - ($0.99)
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper or grease well.
- Make the dough. In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla. Add the flour and salt and mix until a crumbly dough forms that holds together when pressed.
- Layer. Press two-thirds of the dough firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the jam evenly over the crust, leaving a small border around the edges. Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the top.
- Bake. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly golden and the jam is bubbling.
- Cool. Let cool completely in the pan before slicing.
Notes
- Cooling matters. Bars must cool fully to set before cutting.
- Spreading tip. Use a spoon or offset spatula to spread jam without lifting the crust.
- Dough texture. The dough should resemble wet sand and hold when pressed. If too dry, mix in 1 teaspoon milk.
- Jam consistency. Stir jam well before using to evenly distribute sugars and pectin.
Nutritional Information
Save This Recipe to Your Inbox
Enter your email and we'll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you'll join our email list and can unsubscribe anytime.
Nicole Durham says
We love these shortbread bars even more with every new jelly we try.