These are probably the easiest dessert to make, ever.
You likely have everything you need in your kitchen for this recipe right now. And everyone loves them.
Seriously, what’s stopping you?!
These jam bars are a (vegan!) buttery shortbread topped with fruity jam (I went with raspberry preserves) and more shortbread crumbled on top.
The richness of the shortbread contrasts with the tart jam beautifully and the colors are festive and gorgeous.
Not to mention, this is the simplest holiday dessert of all time. (And yes, I am in full-on holiday dessert mode, you heard it here first!).
If you’re used to making dozens of cookies, or a pie, or something super intense like homemade toffee, you’re probably knee-deep in cookie cutters and candy thermometers come mid-December. But while all of that goodness is going on in the kitchen, these bars can be baking away happily in the oven without any intervention.
It’s almost too good to be true.
(If you wanted to get really fancy, you could even make 1.5x this recipe and use the extra shortbread to form a lattice top on the bars, or something else creative)
Cheers to easy desserts and the holiday season!
Enjoy xx
- 1 cup vegan butter (=2 sticks)
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 8 oz jam
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Combine the first three ingredients (I like to use my hands) until well-combined (slightly crumbly is okay)
- Reserve ¼ cup of the dough and press the rest into an ungreased 8x8 glass or non-stick pan
- Bake for 15 minutes
- Spread the jam over the shortbread crust
- Crumble remaining dough over the jam and return to the oven for 5-10 minutes until golden brown
- Cool on wire rack before serving
I love shortbread cookies! And these look delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Annie!
Those look awesome! Love how easy they are, and vegan too! 🙂
Thank you 🙂
This is such a simple yet amazing recipe, Medha! And so perfect for the holiday cookie tray!
Thanks, Mir!
What a simple and delicious dessert! I love how easy these are and they’re perfect for Christmas!
Thanks, Danielle!
These shortbread bars look delicious, Medha! I love how easy these are to throw together. And the raspberry flavor sounds like the perfect touch!
Thanks so much!
It’s so good to know that vegan butter works in shortbread! My daughter has a friend with dairy allergy, so now I know I can make these kinds of cookies for her too!
Yay! Let me know if you do 🙂
Yuh-um! I’ve made a very similar jam bar where you use the crust as the topping. It’s crazy how different something can turn out depending on how it is baked!
Pinned!
Thanks for the pin!
4 ingredients? How could I not be impressed by these? Lovely! 🙂
Thank you!
It’s not Christmas without shortbread…and jam! These look delicious, Medha! 🙂
I agree!
love love love how easy this is! yum! I would probably eat this plain and be totally addicted to it!
I love shortbread plain. I might make these into cookies soon!
I love shortbread in any form. Your version looks so delicious!
Thanks!
Love shortbread so much, definitely my favourite biscuit! Loving the addition of raspberry jam.
Thanks, Jess!
Those bars look fabulous! Shortbread and raspberry jam just go together don’t they?! These look like the perfect easy and delicious holiday dessert!
Shortbread + jam is my favorite combo for non-chocolate desserts 🙂
Now, this is my kind of dessert – I’m game for anything delicious and easy. They seem very British too with the jam. We have jam tarts here that are quite similar, so brings back nostalgic memories. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog. It’s always great to meet new fellow foodies. Have a great week.
Thanks! Love your blog 🙂