Raspberry crumb bars are a simply irresistible bar dessert that promises to delight with every bite! Imagine a buttery, tender crust topped with a luscious layer of vibrant raspberry jam, all crowned with a generous, golden streusel topping. This delightful combination creates a symphony of textures and flavors that’s truly unforgettable. I first baked these delectable bars when my mother-in-law was visiting, and both she and my husband, Bill, couldn’t stop raving about them. Their enthusiastic approval cemented these Raspberry Crumb Bars as a cherished family favorite!

The Irresistible Allure of Raspberry Crumb Bars

When it comes to homemade desserts, few treats capture hearts quite like a perfectly baked crumb bar. And when those crumbs envelop a sweet-tart raspberry filling, you’ve got a true winner on your hands. Our Raspberry Crumb Bars are more than just a dessert; they’re a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients coming together to create something extraordinary. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe offers an approachable path to a genuinely impressive treat.

The magic of these bars lies in their harmonious layers. The base provides a sturdy yet melt-in-your-mouth foundation, perfectly balancing the bright tang of the raspberry jam. But the real star, arguably, is the crumble topping. Made with butter, sugar, and flour, it bakes into a golden, buttery crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft jam beneath. It’s this textural interplay that makes each bite a joy, prompting you to reach for another before you’ve even finished the first.

Baking with Love: A Story Behind Our Raspberry Crumb Bars

The inspiration for these gorgeous raspberry bars struck me when I stumbled upon a recipe on my friend Danielle’s blog. What immediately caught my eye was the promise of a thick layer of buttery crumbs – a feature I knew would be an instant hit. My husband, Bill, has always adored raspberries, so I had no doubt he’d fall head over heels for these jam-filled gems. However, the true test came during a special family visit.

With Bill’s sweet mother in town for a couple of weeks, I eagerly crossed my fingers, hoping she would be as enamored with these bars as we were. My mother-in-law is a wonderfully petite woman, a mere five feet tall, who notoriously maintained a weight of 88 pounds through high school, nursing school, and even her wedding day. Now, at a spry 90 pounds, she almost matches her age! She’s an absolute gem of a lady, always full of life and stories. During her visit, she regaled us with hilarious anecdotes from her and my father-in-law’s days owning a pharmacy in small-town Illinois. We spent evenings around the dinner table, laughing and catching up, creating cherished memories.

My secret mission during her stay was to put at least a few ounces on her petite frame. And, much to my delight, these Raspberry Crumb Bars became a key part of that endeavor. She absolutely adored them, savoring each crumbly, fruity bite. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as seeing loved ones enjoy something you’ve baked with care, and her appreciation made these bars even more special. This recipe isn’t just about ingredients; it’s about warmth, family, and the simple joy of sharing delicious food.

Crafting Perfection: The Anatomy of Our Raspberry Crumb Bars

Creating these delightful bars is a straightforward process, yielding impressive results. Each component plays a vital role in the overall taste and texture experience.

The Buttery Crust: Your Foundation of Flavor

The journey begins with the crust, a simple yet critical layer that provides the perfect canvas for our raspberry masterpiece. Made with flour, powdered sugar, and softened butter, this dough is mixed until just combined and then firmly pressed into a baking pan. The powdered sugar contributes to a finer, more tender crumb, while the butter ensures richness and a beautiful golden hue when baked. A quick bake sets this foundation, giving it a delicate crispness that holds up wonderfully to the sweet filling.

The Vibrant Raspberry Filling: A Burst of Fruity Goodness

Once the crust has had a chance to cool slightly, it’s time for the star flavor: the raspberry jam. We highly recommend using a good quality seedless raspberry jam to ensure a smooth, delightful texture without any unexpected crunch from seeds. The vibrant red color and tart-sweet flavor of the raspberries cut through the richness of the butter, creating a balanced and refreshing taste. Spreading the jam evenly ensures every slice gets its fair share of fruity goodness.

The Heavenly Streusel Topping: The Crowning Glory

Finally, we arrive at the crumb topping – the signature element that elevates these bars from good to truly exceptional. This generously thick streusel is made from brown sugar, more butter, vanilla, and flour. The brown sugar adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps create a chewier texture once baked. When you pinch the mixed dough into large crumbs and sprinkle them over the jam, you might think it looks like a lot, but trust the process! This abundant topping bakes into a wonderfully crunchy, golden-brown layer that provides an incredible textural contrast to the soft jam and tender crust below. It’s the ultimate finish to a perfect bar dessert.

Tips for Crumb Bar Perfection

Quality Ingredients Matter: Use good quality butter and jam. A premium seedless raspberry jam will truly shine through.
Don’t Overmix the Crust: Mix the crust ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough crust.
Cooling is Crucial: Allow the baked bars to cool completely before slicing. This ensures clean cuts and prevents the bars from falling apart. If you try to cut them warm, the jam will be too soft.
Even Jam Spread: Ensure the raspberry jam is spread evenly over the cooled crust to guarantee a balanced flavor in every bite.
Storage: Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, see our notes on freezing.

Versatile Delights: Variations to Explore

While the classic raspberry version is undeniably delicious, these crumb bars are incredibly versatile. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different fillings to suit your taste or what you have on hand:

Other Jam Flavors: Try apricot, strawberry, blueberry, cherry, or even a mixed berry jam for a different fruity twist. Each will bring its own unique character to the bars.
Nutty Topping: For added crunch and flavor, mix in a quarter cup of finely chopped nuts (like almonds, pecans, or walnuts) into your streusel topping.
Spice it Up: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the crumb topping can add a warm, inviting aroma and flavor.
Chocolate Drizzle: Once the bars are completely cooled, a drizzle of melted dark or white chocolate can add an extra layer of decadence and visual appeal.
Citrus Zest: A little lemon or orange zest in the crust or crumb topping can brighten the flavors beautifully.

A Nod to “Two Sweetie Pies”

My heartfelt thanks go out once again to my lovely friend, Danielle, the talent behind Hugs & Cookies XOXO, for yet another magnificent recipe! She is truly my go-to blogger for decadent treats and reliable, mouth-watering creations. I promise you will absolutely love whatever you decide to try from her fantastic blog. Danielle and I share a special tradition: we feature a recipe from each other’s sites every second Monday of the month, fostering a wonderful sense of community and culinary inspiration. Bill and his mom both loved these marvelous raspberry bars, and I did too! While I highly recommend sticking with this raspberry version for its classic appeal, feel free to tweak these with your favorite jam if you’re feeling adventurous.

Don’t forget to check out Danielle’s delightful take on this recipe, as well as her various social media sites to keep up with her latest creations! You’ll also be captivated by her equally delicious Chocolate Raspberry Crumb Bars, which are another family favorite.

Connect with Hugs & Cookies XOXO on Facebook

The Recipe:

Raspberry Crumb Bars

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
50 minutes

Total Time
1 hour 10 minutes

Yield
24 bars

Amazing raspberry cookie bars with a thick, heavenly streusel topping

Ingredients

Crust:

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, at room temperature

Filling:

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons seedless raspberry jam

Crumb topping:

1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour

To serve:

Powdered sugar

Instructions

Line a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick foil or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350º.
With a handheld mixer blend all crust ingredients till well combined. Pat into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes till lightly golden. Set aside to cool for about 40 minutes.
Spread raspberry jam evenly over the cooled crust.
Using a mixer, blend the butter and brown sugar till well combined. Mix in the vanilla then the flour and mix till the flour is incorporated.
Using your hands, pinch the dough to make large crumbs and sprinkle over the raspberry jam. It looks like a lot, but use them all!
Bake 25-30 minutes till golden. Cool completely and sprinkle with powdered sugar to serve if desired.

Notes

If freezing, do not sprinkle with powdered sugar until defrosted. For best results when freezing, wrap cooled bars tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving and then dust with powdered sugar.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1 bar

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 143Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 4mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 2g

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