Jam Bars with Crumble Topping

Buttery crumb bars filled with a tasty jam and topped with an oatmeal crumble make these jam bars an easy and tasty breakfast or dessert.

I’m all about recipes that you can have for breakfast or dessert especially easy recipes like pumpkin oatmeal muffins, banana bread baked oatmeal, and chocolate chip scones.

And these crumble bars fit right in. For me when I have desserts with fruit in them, there should be some type of streusel or crumb topping. Whether it’s an apple crumb pie or blueberry crisp.

With that in mind, these jam bars with crumble topping are one of my favorites. That buttery base just melts in your mouth, but even better, you can make different type of bars depending on the jam you have. Oh and as I mentioned, crumb toppings make everything delicious.

Most crumb bars have the same topping and base but I wanted to have oats in my topping so I changed it up. And I have no regrets about the extra step. After one bite, you’ll be asking why these have been missing in your life.

These really are the perfect summer treat for a party as you can make ahead and easily transport them. Plus they’ll be gone in minutes.

Jump to:

• Recipe Ingredients
• How to Make Crumb Bars
• What Kind of Jam Should I Use for Crumble Bars?
• The Key to Light and Flaky Base and Topping
• Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
• Other Dessert Recipes
• Jam Bars

Recipe Ingredients

• All-purpose flour – used for both the base and the topping.
• Light brown sugar – adds sweetness to the jam crumble bars.
• Baking powder – helps everything rise.
• Kosher salt – enhances the flavor.
• Unsalted butter – creates flaky base and streusel-like topping.
• Whole milk – adds just enough moisture to the base.
• Vanilla extract – enhances the flavor.
• Jam – use whatever flavor jam you like.
• Old-fashioned oats – gives some texture.
• Ground cinnamon and nutmeg – adds addition flavor to the crumb topping.

How to Make Crumb Bars

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 13×9 baking pan with parchment paper hanging at least 2 inches over the long side. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Use a pastry blender to cut the butter into the flour mixture until crumbs form.
2. Add the milk and vanilla extract and mix until moistened throughout. It should remain crumbly. Press dough into the baking pan in an even layer.
3. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are light brown and the center is just set. Remove and set aside.
4. While you are baking the base, make the crumble topping by whisking together the flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Use two knives to cut the butter into the crumble mixture until crumbs form.
5. Evenly spread the jam onto the base. Sprinkle crumble topping evenly over top.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crumble topping is light golden brown. Let cool completely before cutting into crumb bars.

What Kind of Jam Should I Use for Crumble Bars?

You can use any kind of jam you like, but if you have the time I recommend making your own jam like apple and pear jam or strawberry jam. For these particular pictures I used my apple and pear jam and it was soooo good!

But if you don’t want to make your own, there are plenty of options from raspberry jam to apricot jam to blueberry jam. 

The Key to Light and Flaky Base and Topping

The key is cold butter. Use a pastry cutter or knives to get the cold butter into small crumbs. You then use your hands to shape and pat the base into the pan. Yes your hands will get messy, but the end product is worth it.

But you can also use a food processor. For both the base and topping, use short pulses to mix the butter until you get a pea-like texture.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

• Line your pan with some parchment paper so you can easily remove the jam bars.
• Chill the bars completely either at room temperature or in the fridge before cutting so you get nice clean slices.
• If you want even more crunch for the topping, remove 1/2 cup each of the flour and oats and add 1 cup of pecans.
• Leftovers will last in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 3 months.

Other Dessert Recipes

• Strawberry Lemon Bars
• Blueberry Crisp
• Orange Creamsicles
• Chocolate Hazelnut Bars
• Candied Pecans

If you’ve tried these jam bars or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I’m up to.