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Hand holding a soft and buttery strawberry jam bar, showing layers of crumbly oat topping, fruity jam filling, and tender base, with more jam bars arranged on a wooden board in the background.

🍓 Jam Bars Recipe

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Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour (180g)
  • ½ teaspoon

    baking soda

  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1½ cups rolled oats (178g)
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar (165g)
  • ¾ cup softened, unsalted butter (170g)
  • 1 cup strawberry jam or any jam/preserve of your choice (240g)

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
  2. Line an 8-inch square baking tin with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides. Grease lightly.
  3. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt, oats, and brown sugar.
  4. Add the butter and cut it into the dry mixture until you have coarse crumbs that hold together when pressed.
  5. Press two-thirds of this crumb mixture evenly into the base of the prepared pan.
  6. Spread the jam in an even layer on top, leaving a ½-inch border on all sides.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the jam, pressing gently.
  8. Bake for 35 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
  9. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan—about 1½ hours.
  10. Lift out using the foil, peel it off, and cut into 16 squares.

Video

Notes

Notes & Tips

  • Rolled oats give the best texture.
  • Choose a jam you truly enjoy—the flavour depends heavily on it.
  • Borders prevent the jam from caramelizing and sticking.
  • Larger crumble chunks = prettier topping.
  • Cool fully before slicing for neat squares.

🧊 Storage

  • Keeps at room temperature for up to 1 week in an airtight container.
  • Freeze up to 3 months with parchment between layers.

🎉 Serve With

A scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, or fresh fruit.