Ingredients
Base and Crumble
- 1 cup butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or ½ teaspoon table salt)
Filling
- 1 cup raspberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish or a quarter sheet pan with parchment paper, ensuring the edges hang over the sides for easy removal.
- Mix butter and sugar: In a large bowl or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the room temperature butter and granulated sugar. Mix on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add egg yolk and vanilla: Add the egg yolk and vanilla bean paste to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until fully combined and smooth.
- Incorporate flour and salt: Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Prepare crust: Press approximately half of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the crust turns a very light golden brown. Remove and refrigerate the remaining dough while the crust cools.
- Assemble bars: Once the bottom crust has cooled, spread the raspberry jam evenly over the surface. Then crumble the reserved dough evenly over the jam layer, ensuring good coverage.
- Bake the bars: Return the assembled pan to the oven and bake at 325°F for 20-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and set.
- Cool and serve: Let the bars cool completely, ideally for at least 4 hours, before cutting into squares. For clean slices and best texture, chill the bars before serving, though it is not required.
Notes
- Using vanilla bean paste adds a deeper, richer vanilla flavor, but vanilla extract can be used as a substitute.
- Chilling the remaining dough while the crust bakes helps maintain the crumble texture on top.
- The bars taste best after chilling for a few hours, which helps them set and makes cutting easier.
- Feel free to use your favorite jam flavor if you want a different variation.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
