Irresistible Bakery-Style Jam Bars with Buttery Oat Crumble

Prepare to fall in love with these delightful bakery-style Jam Bars, featuring a tender, almond-scented crust, a luscious layer of your favorite fruit preserves, and a generously buttery oat crumble topping. Easy to make and utterly irresistible to eat, these bars deliver all the charm of a gourmet treat with the comforting simplicity of a homemade dessert.

The Allure of the Crumble: Why These Jam Bars Steal the Show

For many, there’s an undeniable magic in a perfectly crafted crumble topping. That delightful combination of buttery, sweet, and slightly crunchy texture creates an experience that elevates any dessert. Whether it’s the generous streusel on a classic NY Crumb Cake, the golden crown of Blueberry Crumb Muffins, or the inviting texture atop a warming Fruit Crumb Pie, a good crumble is always a winner. It adds a layer of rustic elegance and an explosion of flavor that’s hard to resist.

With this unwavering love for all things crumbly in mind, these homemade Jam Bars with Oat Crumble Topping have become a consistent favorite in my kitchen. They offer that coveted bakery-style indulgence without any of the fuss, making them my go-to when I crave something rich, fruity, and satisfyingly simple. Every time I share these bars, they vanish quickly, leaving everyone asking for the recipe. Their effortless charm and incredible flavor make them a staple for gatherings, family treats, or simply a comforting bite with your morning coffee.

Crafting Perfection: The Story Behind These Beloved Jam Crumble Bars

The journey to perfecting this Jam Bar recipe began with a classic: the Raspberry Streusel Bars from the iconic Joy of Cooking. While those were always a hit, a few summers ago, I found myself yearning for a jam bar with a topping that leaned more towards the rustic, comforting essence of a homemade fruit crumble. I envisioned something heartier, with distinct oat texture and a deeper, more nuanced sweetness.

Thus began the playful experimentation in my kitchen. Among several adjustments, a pivotal change was incorporating rich brown sugar into the crumble topping. This addition not only deepened the sweetness but also imparted a wonderful caramel-like flavor that perfectly complemented the fruit preserves. To simplify and enhance the crumble’s texture, I decided to omit nuts, eggs, and milk from the topping (though I retained milk in the base layer for a tender crust). The result? A truly exceptional, buttery oat crumble topping that was exactly the textural and flavor contrast I had been dreaming of against the bright, luscious fruit jam.

One of the subtle yet impactful additions to the oat crumble is a delicate hint of ground cardamom. This aromatic spice beautifully enhances the fruit preserves, almond extract in the crust, and the warm cinnamon in the crumble, creating a sophisticated flavor profile that truly elevates these bars. If cardamom isn’t to your taste, or if you prefer a simpler flavor, it can certainly be omitted without compromising the deliciousness of the bars. However, I highly recommend trying it for that extra touch of gourmet flair.

These homemade jam bars passed their ultimate taste test with flying colors. I once tested the recipe on a group of contractors working at my home, serving them during their lunch breaks. When, after devouring batch after batch, they eagerly requested the recipe to take home to their families, I knew without a doubt that I had a definitive winner on my hands. This recipe isn’t just a dessert; it’s a proven crowd-pleaser that embodies comfort, quality, and effortless baking.

Effortless Baking: How to Make These Easy Jam Bars

One of the most appealing aspects of these Jam Crumble Bars is their remarkable ease of preparation. The entire process is designed for minimal fuss, making them accessible even for novice bakers. What makes them particularly convenient is the “one-bowl” approach for the dough and crumble. Technically, you’ll use one large bowl for most of the mixing, plus a small cup for combining the milk and almond extract for the base. This method significantly cuts down on cleanup, allowing you to enjoy the baking process without a pile of dishes afterward. For those who prefer, a food processor can also be utilized for quickly cutting the butter into the flour mixtures, though I recommend incorporating liquids and oats by hand for best texture.

The magic begins with the crust, a tender shortbread base infused with a delicate almond essence. While this layer bakes to a light golden perfection, you’ll cleverly prepare the buttery oat crumble topping in the same bowl you used for the crust – no need for an intermediate wash! This simple trick keeps things flowing smoothly and makes baking a joy rather than a chore.

The filling is perhaps the easiest part, requiring nothing more than opening a jar of your favorite preserves and spreading it evenly over the warm, pre-baked crust. Because the jam is a dominant flavor in these bars, the quality of your chosen jam or preserves truly matters. A premium, flavorful jam will elevate the entire dessert, ensuring each bite is bursting with bright, fruity notes that perfectly complement the rich crust and crumble.

Choosing Your Perfect Fruit Preserve for Crumble Bars

The beauty of these Fruit Preserve Bars lies in their incredible versatility. While the crust and crumble provide a consistent, comforting foundation, the jam layer allows for endless customization to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to use whatever flavor or brand of jam or fruit preserves you love most and have readily available in your pantry!

For an exceptionally rich and vibrant flavor, I personally adore Sarabeth’s preserves. They are consistently my top choice for this recipe. For the particular batch showcased in this post, I opted for her delightful Strawberry Raspberry preserves, which offer a wonderful sweet-tart balance that our family absolutely loves. Other fantastic options from Sarabeth’s that shine in these jam bars include Blueberry Cherry, Strawberry Rhubarb, and Peach Apricot preserves. Each one brings its unique character to the dessert, from the deep sweetness of berries to the sunny notes of stone fruit.

Beyond Sarabeth’s, we’ve also had great success and enjoyment using Bonne Maman’s Four Fruits preserves, which provide a complex medley of berry flavors, and Hero’s Black Cherry fruit spread, known for its intense fruitiness. The key is to select a jam or preserve with a robust flavor that can stand up to the buttery crust and crumble.

If you’re curious about the subtle distinctions between different fruit spreads, such as jams, jellies, and preserves, you might find this insightful article from Bon Appetit’s Basically helpful. Understanding these differences can even inspire your next flavorful jam bar creation!

Serving, Storing, and Enjoying Your Jam Crumble Bars

Once cooled, these Bakery-Style Jam Bars are ready to be transformed into a stunning dessert. I prefer to slice them into generous squares, ensuring each piece showcases all three delicious layers. A light dusting of powdered sugar before serving adds an elegant, bakery-quality finish, especially when arranged on a platter. While optional, this simple touch truly enhances their visual appeal.

These jam bars are perfectly sweet and satisfying on their own. However, for an extra touch of indulgence, consider drizzling them with a simple Powdered Sugar Glaze. This adds another layer of sweetness and a beautiful sheen to the streusel topping, making them even more decadent.

I find myself baking these jam bars throughout the year, but they truly shine during the warmer months. They are an absolute lifesaver when you need a dessert that is not only delicious but also easily stored and transported. While pies, crisps, and crumbles are wonderful, they can be cumbersome to serve at outdoor events. Pre-sliced, grab-and-go bars, on the other hand, are always a hit at picnics, potlucks, and barbecues, offering convenience without compromising on taste or presentation.

Another fantastic benefit of these homemade jam bars is their impressive shelf life and make-ahead convenience. They store beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. In fact, many people (myself included!) find that their flavor actually deepens and improves after a day or two, making them an excellent choice for preparing in advance. For longer storage, these sliced bars freeze exceptionally well. Simply arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready for a treat, just thaw at room temperature or warm gently for a fresh-baked feel.

Jam Bars with Oat Crumble Topping Recipe

Recipe Overview

These buttery, fruity, and delightfully crumbly jam bars are a perfect easy dessert for any occasion.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yields: 16 large or 32 small bars

Ingredients

For the Base Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (1-1/2 sticks), chilled and cut into small pieces
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1-1/2 cups quality jam or fruit preserves

For the Crumble Topping

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)*
• ½ cup rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (1-1/2 sticks), chilled and cut into small pieces
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190°C) with the rack in the middle position. Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Lightly coat the parchment paper with cooking spray.

Make the Base Crust

1. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon baking powder.
2. Using a pastry blender, a fork, or two knives, cut the ¾ cup chilled butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse sand with some fine crumbs. (Refer to notes for food processor instructions).
3. In a small measuring cup, stir together the 3 tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon almond extract. Pour this liquid mixture over the flour and butter mixture, combining until just moistened. The mixture will remain crumbly. Be careful not to overwork the dough to ensure a tender shortbread base.
4. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the center is just set and the edges begin to turn light brown. Remove the pan from the oven to assemble the bars, but keep the oven on.

Make the Oat Crumble Topping

1. While the base is baking, use the same large bowl (no need to wash!) to whisk together 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom (if using), and ½ cup rolled oats.
2. Using the same method as for the crust, cut the remaining ¾ cup chilled butter into this flour mixture until it forms a crumbly topping.

Assemble and Bake the Bars

1. Evenly spread the 1-1/2 cups of fruit preserves over the hot, partially baked crust layer in the pan.
2. Generously sprinkle the prepared oat crumble topping in an even layer over the preserves. The crumble layer will be quite thick, which is desired.
3. Return the baking pan to the oven and bake for another 25-30 minutes, or until the crumble topping is beautifully light golden brown.
4. Allow the bars to stand at room temperature in the baking pan until they are completely cooled. This is crucial for clean slicing.
5. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar (optional), slice into your desired bar size, and serve.

Recipe Notes

• *Cardamom Customization: The brand of ground cardamom I typically use is quite fragrant, so ⅛ teaspoon provides a lovely, subtle hint of the spice without overpowering the other flavors. If your cardamom is less aromatic, or if you simply prefer a more pronounced flavor, feel free to increase the amount to ¼ teaspoon.
• **Food Processor Method: For both the base crust and the crumble topping, you can use a food processor to cut the chilled butter into the dry ingredients. Use short pulses to achieve a crumbly texture and be very careful not to overprocess the mixture. When using a food processor, I often find it best to incorporate the liquid ingredients into the base and the rolled oats into the crumble topping by hand after pulsing the butter and flour mixture. This helps maintain a tender crust and a distinct crumble texture.

Nutrition Estimate (per serving)

Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 125mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 535IU | Vitamin C: 2.8mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.

About Our Recipes

Please note that our recipes have been developed using the US Customary measurement system and have not been tested for high altitude/elevation cooking and baking. Adjustments may be necessary depending on your location and specific conditions.