Deliciously Indulgent Traditional Thumb Bars for Every Occasion
Discover the comforting, jam-filled delight of Traditional Thumb Bars, perfect for any occasion.
Equipment
- 8x8 inch baking pan
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Spatula
Ingredients
For the Base
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter softened, high-quality
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract preferably pure
- 1/4 tsp Almond Extract optional
- 1 large Egg
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/4 tsp Salt
For the Filling
- 3/4 to 1 cup Thick Fruit Preserves or Jam recommended flavors: raspberry, apricot, or strawberry
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Mix in the vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and the egg until well combined.
- Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour and salt into the mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms.
- Press about ⅔ of the dough into the bottom of your prepared pan to create a solid base.
- Spread your chosen fruit preserves evenly over the base, leaving a slight border at the edges.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the jam layer in small pieces to create a topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
- Let the bars cool completely before lifting them out of the pan and cutting into squares.
Notes
Dust with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant finish. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.