Jammy Fruit Bars Recipe

If you love classic homemade desserts that are bursting with fruit flavor, these Jammy Fruit Bars may just become your new obsession! They’re tender, buttery, studded with oats, and layered with a thick, irresistible stripe of juicy jam or fresh fruit right through the center. There’s something nostalgic and endlessly snackable about these bars—they hit all the right notes of chewy, sweet, crumbly, and golden.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What’s most delightful about Jammy Fruit Bars is how a handful of humble, familiar ingredients transform into something truly irresistible. Each element plays its part: oats give heartiness, brown sugar adds caramel notes, while butter weaves everything together. Here’s a breakdown so you can appreciate the beauty in their simplicity!

• Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Essential for that chewy texture, hearty flavor, and signature home-baked feel—don’t substitute for quick or instant oats.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and binds everything together but keeps the bars light.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds a lovely caramel-like sweetness and moisture for tender crumbs.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: A little lift from both keeps the texture soft yet substantial.
• Kosher Salt: Balances out the sweetness and brings out the depth in both the fruit and dough—don’t skip the extra sprinkle on top!
• Ground Cinnamon: Just a touch for a cozy warmth that pairs with any fruit.
• Cold Unsalted Butter: The secret to a melt-in-your-mouth base; cubed butter ensures those crave-worthy crumbs.
• Large Egg: Binds the dough, making it cohesive but still tender.
• Jam or “Juicy” Fruit: Pick your favorite—classic berry jam, tangy cherry, or a medley of ripe peaches—each version is a new adventure.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: A bright squeeze over the filling makes all the flavors pop and balance beautifully.

Variations

The beauty of these Jammy Fruit Bars is just how easy it is to make them truly your own. With a simple switch or two, you can personalize the flavors, textures, or even tweak them for special dietary needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment—each batch can showcase something different and delightful!

• Mix Up the Fruit: Try a combo of blueberries and raspberries, sliced strawberries, or even juicy peaches for endless fruit-forward combinations.
• Go Nutty: Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds over the crumble topping for extra crunch and flavor dimension.
• Make Them Vegan: Swap the butter for plant-based butter and use a flax egg to keep everything egg-free.
• Change Up the Spice: Add ginger or cardamom to the dough for a new layer of warmth and uniqueness.

How to Make Jammy Fruit Bars

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Start by adjusting your oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheating to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with two long strips of parchment, letting the edges overhang—this makes it extra easy to lift the finished bars out neatly for slicing later.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, stir together rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Make sure it’s well-mixed—this gives you that even, delicious texture in every bite.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry mixture. Toss it to coat, then use your fingers to squash each piece flat and rub it into the mix until it’s mostly disappeared and the mixture looks like rustic, buttery crumbs. You can use a stand mixer on low, but doing this by hand is truly satisfying and prevents overmixing!

Step 4: Stir in the Egg

Add the cold egg and use a flexible spatula to fold it in. You want everything to come together into a soft, clumpy dough. It should hold together if you squeeze it gently, but still feel soft and a bit crumbly—perfect for pressing and sprinkling later.

Step 5: Assemble the Bottom Layer

Scatter about two-thirds of the dough (set the rest aside!) into your prepared pan. Press it gently into an even layer. Don’t go too hard here—you want it cohesive, but not packed down tight, so the bars stay soft and tender.

Step 6: Add the Fruit or Jam Filling

Spread your favorite jam or fresh fruit evenly over the bottom layer. Sprinkle everything with a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice—this brightens everything up and keeps things from tasting too sweet or flat.

Step 7: Crumble and Bake

Take the remaining dough and crumble it over the top, like a streusel. Into the oven it goes! Bake for about 45 minutes, until the top is golden, the filling is bubbling, and your kitchen smells like pure joy.

Step 8: Cool & Slice

Let the Jammy Fruit Bars cool in the pan until completely room temperature—patience pays off here so they slice cleanly. Loosen the edges with a dull knife, lift out using the parchment, and cut into perfect squares. Enjoy plain or with a swoosh of whipped cream!

How to Serve Jammy Fruit Bars

Garnishes

For a little extra flair, dust the cooled Jammy Fruit Bars with powdered sugar, or add a dollop of softly whipped cream right before serving. If you feel fancy, a few fresh berries or a lemon twist on the side add gorgeous color and a bright pop.

Side Dishes

Jammy Fruit Bars make a charming companion to your afternoon cup of tea or coffee, or even as a sweet finish to a picnic lunch with friends. If you’re serving dessert for a group, plate them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of vanilla yogurt.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting the bars into slim fingers and serving them as part of a brunch pastry platter, or wrap individual bars in pretty parchment for grab-and-go gifts. A rustic board scattered with fruit wedges and a stack of Jammy Fruit Bars always draws a happy crowd!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled and cut, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at cool room temperature. They stay surprisingly fresh and delicious for up to four days, so you’ll have sweet snacks ready whenever a craving hits!

Freezing

Jammy Fruit Bars freeze like a dream—place cut bars in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a zip-top bag or freezer container. They’ll keep for up to two months; thaw at room temperature for a magical lunchbox treat.

Reheating

If you like your bars a little warm (especially with ice cream!), pop one into a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes, or microwave for 10 seconds until just soft and fragrant. Enjoy as-is or top with something creamy for extra indulgence.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s something so heartwarming about pulling a pan of Jammy Fruit Bars from the oven—fragrant, golden, and filled with all the cozy, fruity goodness you crave. Give this recipe a try and see just how quickly these cheerful bars disappear from your kitchen. Happy baking!