These crumble bars can be customized with your favorite fruit preserves or jam! Whether it’s raspberry, strawberry or something else, these bars are sure to please a crowd.
My family and I were recently invited to a party. One of the coaches at the rink (who is K’s primary coach and sometimes helps me) was celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary. She invited her close friends, family and some additional friends and coaches from the rink to come over for a catered brunch.
I didn’t want to show up empty handed so thought about making something that would withstand the heat. They have a beautiful back patio where most of their guests would gather, so I had to make something that wouldn’t melt and could be easily grabbed with one hand.
I brought an entire batch of these jam crumble bars and used a luscious raspberry jam for my filling. Several people came up to me during the party and commented how they loved the bars. Luckily, I saved a few slices for us to try at home because these were almost gone by the time we left the party.
It was a wonderful afternoon, and Addie even found a girl to play bubbles and squirt water guns with. My shy little girl actually made a new friend, and she was sad when it was time to leave. I hope that my husband and I are lucky enough to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary one day. If so, it will be in Hawaii!
Jam crumble bars
Ingredients
Base layer
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup (1 and 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter chilled, and cut into small pieces
- 3 tablespoons milk of choice
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 and 1/2 cups fruit preserves or jam*
Crumble topping
- 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom optional
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup (1 and 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter chilled and cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Line a standard 9"x13" pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two forks until the butter reaches small pea-sized pieces. In a small cup or bowl, whisk the milk and almond extract together. Add it to the bowl and mix until well incorporated. Use your hands and knead the dough together until no dry ingredients remain.
- Transfer to your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Press down on the dough with your fingers.
- Bake in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is just beginning to become golden. While the crust is baking, prepare the crumble layer.
- In the same large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom and oats. Then cut in the butter as you did previously and knead with your hands until no dry spots remain. Set aside.
- Once the crust is done baking, keep the oven on, but remove the pan from the oven. Spread the jam directly on top of the hot crust. Then evenly distribute the crumble on top of the jam.
- Bake in the oven for another 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing and serving.