Raspberry Almond Crumb Bars

Looking for the perfect balance between fruity sweetness and nutty crunch? These Raspberry Almond Crumb Bars are a delicious treat made with a buttery crust, tart raspberry jam, and a golden almond crumb topping. Perfect for afternoon tea, picnics, or an elegant dessert tray.

Ingredients:

For the crust and topping:

2½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
1 teaspoon almond extract
½ cup (45g) sliced almonds

For the filling:

¾ cup (240g) raspberry jam (seedless preferred)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thicker filling)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish with parchment paper.
Make the base and topping:
In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.
Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add almond extract and mix slightly.
Reserve 1½ cups of the mixture for the topping.
Form the crust:
Press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.
Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
Add the filling:
While crust is baking, mix raspberry jam with lemon juice (and cornstarch, if using).
Spread the jam mixture evenly over the warm crust.
Top and bake again:
Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture and sliced almonds over the jam layer.
Bake for an additional 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Cool and slice:
Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares. Enjoy!