Simple Homemade Strawberry Jam Squares (Printable)

Buttery crumbly bars layered with sweet strawberry jam, great for any time of day.

# Ingredient List:

→ Shortbread Base and Crumble

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Filling

08 - 3/4 cup strawberry jam, preferably seedless

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
03 - Add cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or fingertips to rub it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until the dough just comes together, taking care not to overwork.
05 - Press approximately two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create the base.
06 - Spread the strawberry jam evenly over the base, leaving a small border around the edges.
07 - Crumble the remaining dough over the jam layer in small clumps.
08 - Bake the assembled bars for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top is lightly golden.
09 - Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out using the parchment overhang and cutting into 16 squares.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The dough works as both the base and the crumble, so there's no fussy layering or separate mixtures to track.
  • You can throw this together with pantry staples and whatever jam you've got tucked in the door of your fridge.
  • They hold their shape beautifully, which means you can actually pack them for a picnic or toss one in your bag on the way out.
02 -
  • Cold butter is non-negotiable here, if it's too soft the dough turns greasy and won't crumble properly on top.
  • Don't spread the jam all the way to the edges or it'll bubble up the sides and burn onto the pan, leaving you with a sticky cleanup.
  • Let them cool all the way before cutting or they'll fall apart and you'll end up with jammy rubble instead of clean squares.
03 -
  • Use a bench scraper or a large sharp knife to cut clean squares, wiping the blade between cuts keeps the edges neat.
  • If your jam is too chunky, warm it slightly in the microwave for ten seconds so it spreads more easily without tearing the base.
  • Add a handful of finely chopped almonds or walnuts to the crumble topping for extra texture and a subtle nutty flavor that makes them feel a little more grown-up.
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