Description
These Fig Jam Cookie Bars combine buttery shortbread, luscious fig jam, and a golden crumble topping for the ultimate homemade treat. Perfect for holidays, tea time, or an elegant dessert tray, they strike the perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and buttery goodness in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Base/Crumble
- 225 g unsalted butter, cool room temp
- 150 g granulated sugar (or 100 g granulated + 50 g light brown)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp fine salt
- 300 g all-purpose flour (swap 45–75 g for oats if desired)
- Optional: zest of 1 lemon or orange
- Optional: 60–90 g chopped walnuts/almonds (for crumble)
- Optional: ½–1 tsp cinnamon or ¼ tsp cardamom (for crumble)
Filling
- 300–360 g fig jam/preserves (enough for a ⅛–¼ inch layer)
- Optional: 1 tsp lemon juice + ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 175–180°C (350–355°F). Line the pan with a parchment sling.
- Make the base:
- Cream butter and sugar just until combined and slightly fluffy.
- Add vanilla, salt, and flour (plus oats, if using). Mix to a crumbly dough—it should clump when squeezed.
- Press and level:
- Press ~⅔ of the dough into the lined pan.
- Level thoroughly: use the bottom of a measuring cup to compress and smooth.
- Par-bake the crust for 10–14 minutes, until edges are slightly matte and just turning pale gold.
- Spread the fig layer:
- If using jarred jam, stir to loosen.
- Spread a thin, even layer (about ⅛–¼ inch). Avoid piling it too thick, which can cause ooze or sogginess.
- Add the crumble:
- Toss the reserved dough with optional nuts/spices/oats.
- Scatter in loose clumps—don’t press down.
- Bake another 25–32 minutes until the top is golden and the edges show tiny jam bubbles.
- Cool completely:
- Let the pan cool on a rack.
- For ultra-clean edges, chill 45–60 minutes before lifting and slicing.
- Slice:
- Lift the slab using the parchment, transfer to a board, and cut.
- Wipe the blade between cuts for immaculate edges.
- Prep Time: PT20M
- Cook Time: PT45M
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25mg