Five Ingredient Raspberry Bars Recipe

I absolutely love sharing this Five Ingredient Raspberry Bars Recipe because it embodies everything I look for in a simple yet scrumptious dessert. These bars combine a buttery, tender shortbread crust, a luscious layer of sweet raspberry jam, and a perfectly crumbly topping that melts in your mouth. Whenever I need a quick treat that impresses everyone without a fuss, this is my go-to—plus, with only five ingredients, it’s incredibly easy to throw together!

Why You’ll Love This Five Ingredient Raspberry Bars Recipe

From the very first bite, the flavor profile of these raspberry bars feels like a perfect hug. The balance between the rich, buttery crust and the bright, fruity jam is just spot on. I honestly can’t get enough of that crumbly topping; it adds the ideal contrast in texture that makes each bar feel so satisfying. The natural sweetness of the raspberry jam shines without overwhelming, and paired with the shortbread’s buttery depth, it simply melts in your mouth.

But what really excites me about this recipe is how effortless it is. I love that you don’t need any fancy gadgets or specialty ingredients. Mixing everything to a crumbly dough with just an electric mixer on low is doable for any home baker. And the best part? It’s ready in under an hour from start to finish, making it perfect for everything from a last-minute dessert to casual afternoon tea with friends. This recipe stands out because it’s approachable, delicious, and versatile — all in one!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe plays an essential role, from the buttery richness to the bright raspberry sweetness and crumbly texture, making it simple yet extraordinary.

• Unsalted butter: Using room temperature butter helps create that tender, shortbread-like crust and crumb topping.
• All-purpose flour: Provides structure and just the right amount of density to balance the jam layer.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the crispness of the crust and topping.
• Egg: Binds the dough together for easy pressing and crumbling.
• Seedless raspberry jam: A sweet, vibrant filling that makes these bars truly stand out; seedless jam ensures a smooth texture.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures it’s hot and ready for baking once the bars are assembled.

Step 2: Using an electric mixer on the low setting, combine the softened butter, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and egg. Mix until the dough forms coarse crumbs but is not fully smooth. This crumbly texture is exactly what you want.

Step 3: Reserve 1 1/2 cups of this crumbly mixture for the topping later.

Step 4: Press the remaining crumbly dough evenly into a greased or parchment-lined 13 x 9 inch baking dish to form the crust layer. Use your fingers or the bottom of a flat measuring cup to compact it gently and create a firm base.

Step 5: Spread the entire jar of seedless raspberry jam evenly over the crust layer, making sure to cover every inch but without overloading to avoid sogginess.

Step 6: Crumble the reserved topping evenly over the jam layer. Press down lightly to ensure it sticks but maintain a loose and crumbly texture.

Step 7: Bake the bars at 350 degrees for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until the topping turns a gorgeous golden brown color and the jam bubbles slightly around the edges.

Step 8: Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting them into 24 squares. Cooling is crucial for clean cuts and the best texture.

Servings and Timing

This Five Ingredient Raspberry Bars Recipe yields approximately 24 bars, perfect for a crowd or to freeze some for later enjoyment. Prep time takes about 10 minutes, making assembly super quick. The bake time ranges between 30 and 40 minutes depending on your oven, and cooling requires additional patience to fully set, roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Altogether, you’re looking at a total time of about 1 hour from start to finish.

How to Serve This Five Ingredient Raspberry Bars Recipe

When I serve these raspberry bars, I love to let their simple beauty shine on their own, but they’re also fantastic with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent touch. Serving the bars at room temperature seems to bring out the best balance between crumbly crust and sweet jam. For a fancier presentation, sprinkling a little powdered sugar over the top adds a lovely, delicate finish that always impresses guests.

These bars pair surprisingly well with a variety of beverages. I often enjoy them alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee, which complements the buttery and fruity flavors so nicely. For an evening treat, I recommend trying them with a light rosé or sparkling wine to match their sweetness. They’re perfect for picnics, casual brunches, potlucks, holiday gatherings, or simply as a weekend baking project to share with family and friends.

I usually cut the bars into smaller squares for parties, making them easy to grab and share, or slightly larger portions when indulging at home. Regardless of how you serve them, these raspberry bars always feel like a little slice of homemade happiness on a plate.

Variations

I’ve found this recipe super versatile and love experimenting with different twists. If raspberry jam isn’t your favorite, feel free to swap it for any fruit jam you love—strawberry, apricot, or even blackberry work beautifully. For those who prefer a tart kick, adding a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough provides a bright, fresh note that pairs wonderfully with the jam.

If you’re looking for dietary adaptations, you can make this recipe gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that measures cup-for-cup. For a vegan version, swapping butter for a plant-based alternative and using a flax egg instead of regular egg can work well, just keep an eye on the consistency and adjust if needed.

For a fun twist on texture, I sometimes sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios on top of the crumb topping before baking. This adds a pleasant crunch and extra depth of flavor. Additionally, if you want a deeper caramelized flavor, I’ve tried baking the bars a little longer and slightly reducing the oven temperature to around 325 degrees, which creates a more toasted crumb layer.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftover raspberry bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain that lovely crumbly texture. If you want to keep them longer, placing them in the fridge is fine, but be aware the crust may lose a bit of its crispness. Wrapping them individually in plastic wrap before storing helps preserve freshness and makes it easy to grab a quick snack.

Freezing

These bars freeze wonderfully if you want to prepare them in advance or save leftovers. I wrap the cooled bars tightly in plastic wrap and then place them inside a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours. This method preserves both flavor and texture remarkably well.

Reheating

To reheat raspberry bars, I prefer warming them gently in a low oven around 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 to 10 minutes to refresh the crumbly texture without drying them out. Avoid using a microwave if possible, as it tends to make the bars soggy or chewy. A quick oven warm-up brings back that fresh-baked feeling flawlessly, perfect for serving warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

FAQs

Can I use frozen raspberries instead of jam?

While fresh or frozen raspberries add a lovely natural flavor, this particular recipe relies on the thick, spreadable consistency of seedless raspberry jam for the filling. Using frozen raspberries directly would add moisture that could make the bars soggy, so I recommend sticking with the jam or making a cooked jam layer first if you want to use fresh fruit.

What if I don’t have an electric mixer?

You can absolutely make this recipe without an electric mixer! I occasionally mix the dough by hand with a fork or pastry cutter until it reaches a crumbly texture. It just requires a little more elbow grease but works perfectly fine, especially if you don’t have many ingredients.

How do I get clean cuts when slicing these bars?

The key is to let the bars cool completely before cutting. I often chill mine briefly to firm them up more. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts to prevent the jam from sticking and creating messy edges. For the neatest slices, warm your knife under hot water and dry it before slicing.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes! These bars keep well at room temperature for a couple of days, and they actually taste even better after sitting a bit as the flavors meld. They’re an excellent make-ahead dessert for parties or holiday meals. Just cover them tightly to keep them fresh.

Are these bars suitable for kids?

Definitely! Kids love the sweet, fruity jam and buttery crumb texture. Because the jam doesn’t contain seeds, it’s easy to eat, and the bars are soft enough for little hands. They make a fantastic homemade treat for lunchboxes, kids’ parties, or simple after-school snacks.

Conclusion

I can’t recommend this Five Ingredient Raspberry Bars Recipe enough if you want a straightforward, delicious dessert that feels special every time. It’s one of those recipes I keep coming back to because it hits every mark: simple ingredients, easy preparation, and incredible flavor. I hope you enjoy making these bars as much as I do—they’re sure to become one of your favorite crowd-pleasers too!

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