Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe
If you’ve ever been on the hunt for an easy yet delicious treat to wow your guests or satisfy your sweet tooth, you’re going to adore this Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe. Trust me, these bars are ridiculously simple to make but taste like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen. With just five pantry staples, you’re minutes away from buttery, jammy heaven that everyone will be asking for seconds of!
Why This Recipe Works
- Simplicity at Its Best: Only five ingredients means less fuss and more focus on flavor.
- Texture Perfected: Buttery crumb crust with a sweet jam center creates the ultimate bite.
- Versatility: Suitable for any occasion and super easy to customize.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe is all about harmony — buttery richness meets sweet-tart jam, held together by a tender crumbly base. I always find that starting with simple, quality ingredients makes all the difference, and stocking up on pantry essentials like butter and jam really pays off when dessert cravings hit.
- Unsalted Butter: Room temperature butter blends easily, giving the crust a tender, flaky texture without making it greasy.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of this recipe, providing just the right amount of structure and softness.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that lovely golden crust when baked.
- Egg: Binds everything together gently while keeping the bars light.
- Seedless Raspberry Jam: The star filling—seedless keeps things smooth and jammy without distracting seeds.
Make It Your Way
The beauty of this Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe is how easily you can make it your own. I’ve tweaked it plenty of times, swapping jams or adding a sprinkle of cinnamon for a little kick. Honestly, feel free to get creative and match the flavors to what you love most!
- Jam Swaps: I’ve tried strawberry, apricot, even blackberry jam, and each variation brings a fresh twist to the bars.
- Gluten-Free Version: Using a gluten-free flour blend works well if you want to keep this treat allergen-friendly.
- Add Nuts: Tossing in some chopped pecans or almonds on top adds a lovely crunch — a trick I learned making them for snack packs.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe
Step 1: Gather and Prep with Care
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). I always like to get my ingredients measured out before mixing—it makes the entire process smooth and enjoyable. Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature; this really helps the dough come together evenly without overworking it.
Step 2: Whip Up the Crust and Topping
Using an electric mixer on a low setting, blend the butter, flour, sugar, and egg until the mixture looks crumbly. Here’s my trick: reserve about 1 1/2 cups of this crumbly mix for the topping, so your bars will have that perfect layered look and texture.
Step 3: Press and Spread
Press the remaining crumb mixture firmly into your greased or parchment-lined 13 x 9 inch baking dish to form the base. Spread the entire jar of seedless raspberry jam evenly over this crust – I like to use an offset spatula for a smooth finish. Be gentle so you don’t disturb the crust.
Step 4: Top and Bake
Crumble that reserved topping evenly over the jam layer and press down lightly. Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is a beautiful golden brown. Your kitchen will smell amazing at this point—try not to sneak a bite before it’s cooled!
Step 5: Cool and Cut
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. This step is key because if you slice them too early, the jam tends to ooze out messily. Patience pays off—you’ll get neat, pretty bars that hold together perfectly.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Bringing butter and eggs to room temp prevents lumps and helps the dough come together just right.
- Even Jam Layer: Spread your jam carefully with an offset spatula to avoid breaking the crust underneath.
- Don’t Skip Cooling: Cooling fully before slicing keeps the bars intact and Instagram-worthy.
- Watch Baking Time: Ovens vary – start checking at 30 minutes so your topping doesn’t burn but gets just golden.
How to Serve Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe
Garnishes
I love dusting these bars lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Sometimes, I add a few fresh raspberries on top right before serving—makes it look so pretty and fresh! A dollop of whipped cream on the side never hurts, either.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside a hot cup of tea or coffee—perfect for afternoon treats or a cozy dessert after dinner. For brunch, I like serving it with fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I cut the bars into bite-size squares and arrange them on a tiered dessert tray. Another favorite is layering pieces between sheets of parchment and tying them with twine as charming homemade gifts. These little bars always steal the show.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover raspberry jam bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They keep their crumbly crust and jammy goodness well, though if my family had a say, they’d never last that long around here!
Freezing
Freeze leftover bars by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a zip-top freezer bag. They freeze wonderfully and thaw quickly—perfect for when you want a quick sweet treat without baking from scratch.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop them in the microwave for about 15 seconds or enjoy them at room temp. If you want that fresh-baked feel, a quick 5-minute warm-up in a 300°F oven works like a charm, reviving that buttery crisp crust.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of jam for this recipe?
Absolutely! While seedless raspberry jam produces the smoothest texture, you can substitute with any favorite jam or preserve—like strawberry, blueberry, or apricot. Just choose a thicker jam so it doesn’t make the crust soggy.
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Do I need to refrigerate these bars?
No refrigeration is needed if you keep them in an airtight container at room temperature and plan to eat them within 2-3 days. If you want to extend freshness, you can refrigerate them, but let them come back to room temp before serving for the best flavor.
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Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend that measures cup-for-cup. I recommend blends that include xanthan gum to help maintain the structure and crumb you want in these bars.
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How do I know when the bars are done baking?
Look for a golden brown top and edges pulling slightly away from the pan. The bars should feel set but still tender. Starting to check around 30 minutes prevents over-baking and dryness.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, I can’t recommend these Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe enough — simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and that perfect balance between buttery crust and sweet jam make them a go-to in my kitchen. If you’re looking for a foolproof, crowd-pleasing dessert or snack, give this recipe a try. You’ll love how easy it is to whip up something homemade and truly satisfying. Plus, it’s the kind of treat you can feel good sharing with friends and family, made with love but minimal effort.
Print
Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Fabulous Five Ingredient Raspberry Bars are a simple and delicious treat featuring a buttery crumbly base layered with sweet seedless raspberry jam and topped with a golden streusel. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack, these bars combine minimal ingredients with straightforward preparation for a delightful homemade baked good.
Ingredients
Crust and Topping
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg room temperature
Filling
- 1 jar seedless raspberry jam (9-12 ounce jar)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the bars.
- Mix base and topping dough: Using an electric mixer on a low setting, combine the softened butter, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and egg until a crumbly dough forms. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of this crumbly mixture for the topping.
- Form the crust: Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of a greased or parchment-lined 13 x 9 inch baking dish to form the crust layer.
- Spread the jam: Evenly distribute the entire jar of seedless raspberry jam over the prepared crust, creating a uniform fruit layer.
- Apply crumb topping: Crumble the reserved dough over the jam layer and gently press lightly to set it in place.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into 24 squares. Enjoy your delightful raspberry bars!
Notes
- Use seedless raspberry jam for a smoother texture without seeds.
- Make sure the butter and egg are at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Press the crust and topping gently but firmly to help them hold together while baking.
- If desired, substitute raspberry jam with other fruit preserves like strawberry or apricot.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
