Description
Delightful raspberry bars combine sweet and tangy flavors in a simple dessert perfect for summer gatherings. Crumbly shortbread base and luscious raspberry filling create a memorable treat you’ll want to share with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cups (2 sticks or 226 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ to 1 cup raspberry jam or preserves
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a rectangular baking pan with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over edges for easy removal.
- Crumb Base: Combine melted butter, granulated and brown sugars, vanilla, and salt. Mix flour and rolled oats into the butter mixture until it forms coarse, crumbly texture.
- Layering Foundation: Press approximately two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the pan’s bottom, creating a compact and stable base for the raspberry dessert.
- Fruit Infusion: Spread raspberry jam evenly across the crumb foundation, optional lemon zest can be sprinkled to enhance the fruity flavor profile.
- Topping Assembly: Randomly scatter remaining crumb mixture over the jam layer, ensuring an uneven, rustic appearance that will crisp and golden during baking.
- Baking Process: Place pan in preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the surface turns light golden and jam edges begin to caramelize and bubble.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow dessert to cool completely in the pan, then lift out using parchment paper overhang and slice into uniform rectangular bars using a sharp knife.
Notes
- Prevent Jam Seepage: Ensure jam layer is evenly spread with a thin, consistent coating to avoid excessive leaking during baking.
- Achieve Perfect Crumb Texture: Mix dry ingredients until they resemble coarse sand, avoiding overmixing which can make the base tough and dense.
- Control Baking Temperature: Bake at moderate heat (around 350°F) to allow even golden browning without burning the delicate crumb topping.
- Cooling is Crucial: Let bars cool completely before cutting to allow layers to set and prevent crumbling, enhancing overall structural integrity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 232
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 28 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg