Jam Shortbread Bars

5 from 1 vote

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.

Prep Time10

Cook Time35

Resting Time30

Total Time1 15

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 441kcal

Author: Nicole Durham

Cost: Recipe $3.59 / Serving $0.40

Equipment

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.

Nutrition