Apricot Jam Bars: A Sweet and Simple Delight

Apricot jam bars are a timeless treat, offering a delightful combination of buttery, crumbly crust and a sweet, fruity filling. They’re incredibly easy to make, require minimal ingredients, and are perfect for satisfying a sweet craving, serving at gatherings, or even gifting to friends and family. This recipe provides detailed instructions and tips to ensure your apricot jam bars turn out perfectly every time. Get ready to bake a batch of sunshine!

Why You’ll Love These Apricot Jam Bars

* **Simple Ingredients:** You likely already have most, if not all, of the ingredients in your pantry.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is beginner-friendly and requires no special equipment.
* **Delicious Flavor:** The combination of the buttery crust and sweet-tart apricot jam is simply irresistible.
* **Versatile:** Customize the jam with your favorite flavor or add nuts for extra crunch.
* **Perfect for Any Occasion:** Enjoy them as a snack, dessert, or even a sweet addition to brunch.
* **Portable:** Ideal for picnics, potlucks, and lunchboxes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand:

* **All-Purpose Flour:** The base of the crust, providing structure and tenderness. 3 cups is what we need.
* **Unsalted Butter:** Adds richness and flavor to the crust. Make sure it’s cold for the best results. 1 cup (2 sticks), cold and cubed.
* **Granulated Sugar:** Sweetens the crust and adds a slightly crisp texture. ¾ cup
* **Brown Sugar:** Adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor to the crust. ¼ cup, packed.
* **Salt:** Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. ½ teaspoon
* **Baking Powder:** Provides a little lift to the crust, making it slightly lighter. ½ teaspoon
* **Egg:** Binds the ingredients together and adds richness. 1 large
* **Vanilla Extract:** Enhances the flavor of the crust. 1 teaspoon
* **Apricot Jam:** The star of the show! Use your favorite brand or homemade jam. 1 ½ cups
* **Optional:** Powdered sugar for dusting (for a prettier presentation), chopped nuts for added texture (such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts).

Equipment Needed

* **9×13 inch baking pan:** This is the standard size for these bars.
* **Parchment paper:** Makes it easy to lift the bars out of the pan.
* **Mixing bowls:** For combining the ingredients.
* **Pastry blender or food processor:** To cut the butter into the flour (optional, you can also use your fingers).
* **Measuring cups and spoons:** For accurate measurements.
* **Rubber spatula or spoon:** For spreading the jam and mixing ingredients.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to make perfect apricot jam bars:

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

1. **Preheat the oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare your 9×13 inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This will make it easy to lift the bars out later.
2. **Combine dry ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder. Make sure everything is evenly distributed.
3. **Cut in the butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, your fingers, or a food processor, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The mixture should be evenly crumbly with no large chunks of butter remaining. If using your fingers, work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
4. **Add egg and vanilla:** In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into the flour and butter mixture.
5. **Mix until combined:** Mix until the dough just comes together. It will be crumbly, and that’s okay. Do not overmix.
6. **Press into the pan:** Divide the dough in half. Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to create a smooth, even layer. This will be the base of your bars. You can also use the bottom of a measuring cup to help press the dough firmly.

Step 2: Add the Apricot Jam Filling

1. **Spread the jam:** Spread the apricot jam evenly over the pressed crust. Make sure to cover the entire surface, leaving no bare spots.
2. **Crumble the remaining dough:** Crumble the remaining dough over the jam layer. Try to distribute the crumbs evenly, but don’t worry if it’s not perfect. You can gently press some of the larger crumbs onto the jam to ensure they adhere.

Step 3: Bake the Bars

1. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the jam is bubbly. Keep an eye on the bars to prevent them from burning.
2. **Cool:** Remove the baking pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. This is important because the bars will be very fragile when they are warm. Allowing them to cool completely will help them to firm up and make them easier to cut.
3. **Lift and cut:** Once the bars are completely cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out of the pan. Transfer them to a cutting board.
4. **Cut into bars:** Use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares or rectangles. The size of the bars is up to you.
5. **Dust with powdered sugar (optional):** If desired, dust the bars with powdered sugar for a prettier presentation.

Tips for Perfect Apricot Jam Bars

* **Use Cold Butter:** Cold butter is essential for creating a flaky, crumbly crust. Make sure your butter is cold before you start and work quickly to prevent it from melting.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing the dough will result in a tough crust. Mix the ingredients until they just come together.
* **Use High-Quality Jam:** The quality of your apricot jam will affect the flavor of your bars. Use a high-quality jam that you enjoy.
* **Adjust the Sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet bar, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the crust.
* **Add Nuts:** For extra crunch and flavor, add chopped nuts to the crust or sprinkle them over the jam layer before baking. Almonds, pecans, and walnuts are all great options.
* **Use Different Jams:** While apricot jam is the classic choice, you can experiment with other jams such as raspberry, strawberry, or blueberry.
* **Let them Cool Completely:** As mentioned before, allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them to prevent them from crumbling.
* **Store Properly:** Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Variations and Add-Ins

* **Nutty Apricot Jam Bars:** Add ½ cup of chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, or walnuts) to the crust mixture. You can also sprinkle them on top of the jam before baking.
* **Citrus Zest:** Add the zest of one lemon or orange to the crust for a bright, citrusy flavor.
* **Spice it Up:** Add ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the crust for a warm, spiced flavor.
* **Chocolate Chips:** Sprinkle chocolate chips over the jam layer for a decadent twist.
* **Coconut Flakes:** Add shredded coconut to the crust or sprinkle it over the jam before baking for a tropical flavor.
* **Different Jams:** Experiment with different jams, such as raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, or even fig jam.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these bars gluten-free.

Serving Suggestions

Apricot jam bars are delicious on their own, but here are some serving suggestions to elevate your experience:

* **With a Scoop of Ice Cream:** Serve warm apricot jam bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or your favorite flavor.
* **With Whipped Cream:** Top the bars with a dollop of whipped cream or whipped coconut cream for a light and airy treat.
* **With a Cup of Coffee or Tea:** Enjoy them as a sweet accompaniment to your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
* **As Part of a Dessert Platter:** Include them on a dessert platter with other sweets and treats.
* **As a Gift:** Package the bars in a pretty box or tin and give them as a gift to friends and family.

Make Ahead Tips

* **Prepare the Crust in Advance:** You can prepare the crust dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to soften slightly before pressing it into the pan.
* **Assemble the Bars Ahead of Time:** You can assemble the bars (press the crust, spread the jam, and crumble the topping) ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Cover them tightly with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. When you’re ready to bake, simply pop them in the oven.
* **Freeze the Baked Bars:** You can freeze the baked bars for up to 2 months. Let them cool completely, then cut them into squares or rectangles. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 200-250 per bar (depending on size)
* Fat: 10-15g
* Saturated Fat: 6-8g
* Cholesterol: 30-40mg
* Sodium: 50-70mg
* Carbohydrates: 25-35g
* Sugar: 15-20g
* Protein: 2-3g

*Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*

Apricot Jam Bar Recipe

This recipe is printer-friendly for easy use.

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes

**Cook Time:** 25-30 minutes

**Total Time:** 45-50 minutes

**Yield:** 24 bars

**Ingredients:**

* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ¼ cup packed brown sugar
* ½ teaspoon salt
* ½ teaspoon baking powder
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 ½ cups apricot jam
* Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting, chopped nuts for added texture

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder.
3. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender, your fingers, or a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and vanilla extract.
5. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Divide the dough in half. Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
7. Spread the apricot jam evenly over the pressed crust.
8. Crumble the remaining dough over the jam layer.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the jam is bubbly.
10. Let cool completely in the pan.
11. Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan.
12. Cut into bars and dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

Enjoy your homemade Apricot Jam Bars! They’re a simple, sweet treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Experiment with variations and add-ins to create your own unique twist. Happy baking!