Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe

If you’re like me and have a soft spot for easy-but-delicious desserts, you’re going to adore this Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe. It’s the perfect combination of buttery crust, sweet-tart raspberry jam, and a crumbly topping—all made with pantry staples and minimal fuss. Whether you want a quick treat for yourself or to impress friends without spending hours in the kitchen, these bars have your back. Stick with me—I’ll share all my tips so you breeze through making these fan-freaking-tastic bars every time!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe plays a simple but crucial role that helps make the bars so irresistible. Plus, they’re pantry staples you can almost always find on hand, which is why I love making this whenever I need a quick dessert fix.

• Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature, it creates that rich, tender crust and crumbly topping. Using unsalted lets you control the salt level perfectly.
• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the dough—provides structure without weighing things down, keeping every bite tender.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness to the crust and topping, balancing perfectly with the tart raspberry jam.
• Egg: Binds all the dry ingredients together for a cohesive, sliceable bar that holds its shape beautifully.
• Seedless Raspberry Jam: This is the star of the show! The smooth texture and tangy sweetness brighten the bars and keep them delightfully moist.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting by switching out the raspberry jam for different fruit preserves—it’s amazing how the whole mood of the bars changes! Plus, you can easily tweak the texture by adjusting how crumbly or firm you want the topping. Feel free to put your own spin on this recipe to match your taste and what you have in your pantry.

• Jam Swaps: My go-to sub is strawberry or apricot jam—both add a lovely flavor twist that’s just as delicious.
• Gluten-Free Version: I’ve tried swapping regular flour with a gluten-free blend with good results—just make sure your blend is 1:1 for regular flour.
• Adding Nuts: A handful of chopped almonds or walnuts in the topping adds a delightful crunch if you want an extra layer of texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Oven

First things first—make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature; this helps the ingredients combine smoothly. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). I like to line my 13×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it to make removal a breeze later on.

Step 2: Mix the Dough Until Crumbly

Using an electric mixer on a low setting, blend the softened butter, flour, sugar, and egg until the mixture becomes crumbly. Resist the urge to overmix—it should just hold together when you squeeze a handful. Set aside about 1 1/2 cups of this crumbly dough for the topping later.

Step 3: Form the Crust and Add Jam

Take the remaining dough and press it evenly into the prepared baking dish, creating a solid base. Then, open up that jar of seedless raspberry jam and spread it evenly over the crust. Make sure to cover every corner, so you get jammy goodness in every bite.

Step 4: Add the Crumbly Topping and Bake

Sprinkle the reserved crumbly dough evenly over the jam layer. I like to gently press it down just a little to help it stick without compacting it too much—you still want that lovely crumbly texture. Pop it in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown. Keep an eye on it around the 30-minute mark so it doesn’t overbake.

Step 5: Cool and Slice with Care

Once baked, let the bars cool completely in the pan. This part is key to getting clean, even slices—trust me, cutting while warm can make a mess. After cooling, slice into 24 bars, grab a cup of tea or coffee, and enjoy!

How to Serve Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe

Garnishes

I often sprinkle powdered sugar over the cooled bars for a simple, pretty finish. Fresh raspberries on top can also add a nice tart burst and make them feel a little more special if you’re serving guests.

Side Dishes

These bars go wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to elevate dessert night. I also enjoy them paired with a cup of tea or a latte for an afternoon treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist at baby showers or brunches, I’ve cut these bars into small squares and served them on decorative platters with fresh mint leaves. Wrapping individual bars in parchment, tied with twine, also makes a charming homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover raspberry jam bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, but honestly, they rarely last that long! For longer storage, they do well in the fridge wrapped tightly.

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully. I usually cut them into individual squares, wrap each in plastic wrap, then place all wrapped bars in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months, perfect for busy days when you want a quick sweet bite.

Reheating

To enjoy frozen bars warm, I reheat them gently in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or pop them in a warm oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked feel.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Raspberry Jam Bars with Five Ingredients Recipe is one of those simple, satisfying desserts that I keep coming back to. It’s quick, uses ingredients I almost always have on hand, and produces a batch of bars that feel homey and a little bit special—just like a warm hug from the kitchen. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and make it your own little tradition too. Baking friends, once you try these, you’ll get why I rave about them so much!

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