Easy Old-fashioned Jam Squares

A stack of three strawberry jam crumble bars.

Easy Old-fashioned Jam Squares

This easy jam squares recipe is just like grandma used to make - nostalgically old-fashioned, buttery and packed with fruity jam!

With a shortbread crumble topping that's way more indulgent than oatmeal jam squares, this recipe is quick, easy and perfect for beginner bakers.

4.97 from 120 votes

Print Recipe Save

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: International

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 30

Servings: bars

Calories: 426kcal

Author: Maretha Corbett

Equipment

1 20cm x 20cm (8" x 8") square tin - lined with parchment paper

Ingredients

▢ 225 gram (8oz) unsalted butter - softened
▢ 140 gram (5oz) sugar
▢ 1 egg - room temperature
▢ 450 gram (16oz) plain flour
▢ 3 teaspoon baking powder
▢ ½ teaspoon salt - optional: you can omit the salt if using salted butter
▢ 450 gram (16oz) strawberry jam - or other jam of choice

Metric - US Customary

Instructions

Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a stand mixer, hand mixer or a food processor.
225 gram (8oz) unsalted butter, 140 gram (5oz) sugar
Whisk the egg in a separate bowl and add it to the butter and sugar. Beat again until the egg is fully incorporated.
1 egg
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt together.
450 gram (16oz) plain flour, 3 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
Add the dry ingredients to the butter, sugar and egg mixture.
Work the mix together with your hands. Be patient as it's a very dry mixture, but it will come together. The dough will be quite stiff.
Shape the dough into log. Wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Pre-heat the oven to 180C/356F/gas mark 4.
Line a 20cm x 20cm baking tin with baking paper. Leave a slight overhang as it makes it easier to lift the traybake out later.
Cut a ¾ piece from the log of dough and place the other ¼ back in the fridge for now.
Use the rough side of a cheese grater to grate the dough into coarse crumbs.
It helps to do the grating on a very large plate or a large chopping board.
Spread the crumbs evenly into the bottom of the baking dish.
Briefly warm the jam in the microwave until it's slighter runnier and easier to spread.
We find that 45 seconds to 1 minute usually does the trick, stopping halfway through to give it a stir.
450 gram (16oz) strawberry jam
Evenly spoon the jam over the crumb base.
Grate the remaining quarter of dough with the cheese grater.
Sprinkle the crumbs over the top of the jam.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until lightly golden brown on top.
Allow the bake to cool completely in the tin before removing it.
It's crucial not to lift the bake from the baking tin until it has completely cooled down. We like to speed up the process with a 10 minute blast (or longer) in the fridge.
Use a sharp knife and cut into 12 squares or bars.

Notes

Top tips for the best jam crumble bars

Don’t add extra liquid to the dough

It might seem dry, but that’s normal for a shortbread texture! Don’t be tempted to add liquid - it will come together and give you the perfect short, buttery crumb.

Adjust the amount of jam if you wish

Use up to 500g of jam for a thicker layer of preserve, or opt for a bit less if you prefer a lighter filling.

Chill or freeze the dough for neat crumbs and the best texture

For uniform crumbs, chill or freeze the dough before grating it.

Roll it into a log, wrap it in cling film and refrigerate for at least an hour. If you’re having trouble grating it, pop it in the freezer for a few minutes to firm it up.

Warm your jam for easy spreading

Slightly warm the jam before spreading - it makes it way easier to get an even layer on your dough.

Cool before slicing

Allow your traditional jam squares to cool completely before slicing. We recommend popping the tin in the fridge for a while to get sharp, clean slices.

With these simple tips, you’ll get jam crumble bars that are perfectly shortbread-y-buttery, jam-filled and slice-ably-delicious!

Nutritional data disclaimer

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is calculated by a third party and we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We try our best to give you the most accurate information, but we do not take responsibility for errors that may be present. Also, the nutritional value of the recipe may change depending on the exact brands and products used. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalised advice on your dietary needs.

Nutrition