These Strawberry Shortbread Bars are the easy version of a thumbprint cookie! They’re buttery, filled with sweet jam and a little sugar glaze drizzle!
Some people love a fruit dessert, others not so much. I generally fall into the latter category, but I will take exception with these bars. I mean, let’s be honest…they are mostly a buttery shortbread with a quick spread of strawberry jam on the inside…so we’re not talking health food. But that tartness from the strawberries is the perfect compliment to the cookie base.
This time of year thumbprint cookies are everywhere…and while I enjoy them, this recipe is a HUGE time saver. Bake everything in one pan and bing-bang-boom you’re done. I’m sorry for saying bing-bang-boom.
I am always about a bar cookie and this one is no different. Plus, I don’t use a mixer when I make these, so less mess to clean up!
Just whisk together the dry ingredients…
And then add in your butter, egg and vanilla…
I know that picture looks all civilized with the pastry cutter, but full disclosure I usually just get right in there with my hands.
Press half of the dough into a pan and top with strawberry jam. And in advance yes, you can use other flavors of jam and no, you can’t use fresh fruit.
Oh so pretty…
Now top it with the extra dough…
Bake it up until it’s lightly golden and the jam is bubbly. Go ahead and let them cool completely and drizzle with a simple sugar glaze if you want!
The recipe for the glaze uses heavy cream. Yes, you can use milk instead but start with just one tablespoon of milk as it is thinner than cream! You could also give these bars a drizzle with homemade icing if you’d prefer a thicker consistency.
These are a stunner, but so simple. Enjoy!
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Strawberry Shortbread Bars
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup strawberry jam
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 pan with aluminum foil and coat with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Add in the egg, butter, and vanilla and combine with a pastry cutter, or your hands until the dough comes together.
- Divide the dough in half and press one half into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Spread the strawberry jam on top. Crumble the remaining dough onto the top of the jam.
- Bake for 40 minutes until lightly browned.
- Allow to cool completely.
Glaze
- Whisk powdered sugar and cream together and drizzle on top.
Notes
I put the glaze in a small zip-top bag and snip off the corner, to make for easy icing.
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Delicious bar cookie! Nice change from raspberry bars. The shortbread crust was tender and buttery. I did use a couple of tbsp extra jam for the filling. No adaptations needed for this recipe! I made them twice this past week to great reviews. Thanks for the recipe!
So glad you liked them!!
Hi
Can we you use wholemeal flour or almond meal for this recipe?
Can you whole milk or half and half in place of heavy cream?
Yes, absolutely!
Love, love, love this recipe…so easy. Honestly, I didn’t even get the dough in a ball shape. Mixed it into crumbs and put 2/3 in the pan and pressed them in to make the bottom crust. After I spread the jam, I sprinkled the rest of the crumbs on top. Baked perfectly in 40 minutes and made the glaze as directed. Not only do they taste great but they look so pretty too! Can’t wait to try blueberry, apricot and other flavors! Perfect recipe!
Just made these! So yummy! Should I store in frig or room temp? Thank you for this great recipe!
I always store at room temp!
I have yet to try making these but I definitely will soon! I know you answered at room temperature, but is that with the glaze on top already? As in do you drizzle the glaze on and then leave it out? But this looks absolutely delicious, I can’t wait to try making them~!
Yep room temp with the glaze is fine 🙂
Wonderful, flavor filled, easy to make bars. So very moist and delicious. Thank you for such a great recipe, I will be making it for years to come
Hi there! Do you think these would freeze well? I’m hoping to make a double batch and then put one aside for a party later in the week 🙂
Oh yes! They’ll freeze great!
Yay! Thanks!
Shelly, do you use unsalted or salted butter in these? Thanks!
I use salted, but it’s a personal preference!
Can I use shortening
Shelly, these are so good! The dough is perfection. I made these last night with two minor changes. I crushed 10 thin gingerbread cookies and added them to the half of the dough that gets crumbled over the top, with a little cinnamon, and I made my glaze with melted strawberry jam, which gave it a wonderful color. I’m looking forward to making these with apple butter in the Fall. All ovens are different, and for mine, 34 minutes was perfect. Beautiful and delicious. Thanks for sharing this one!
Love the adaptations!!!
I didn’t have strawberry jam in the pantry but did have a jar of raspberry fruit spread so I substituted. YUM! Super easy and delicious! (and half gone by the next morning)