Guava Jam Bars (Printable)

Buttery, crumbly bars with sweet guava jam and golden streusel topping—a tropical twist on a classic treat.

# What You Need:

→ Cookie Base and Streusel

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Filling

08 - 1 cup guava jam or guava paste, softened

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
03 - Add cold, cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or fingertips, blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until combined and a crumbly dough forms.
05 - Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared pan to form the base.
06 - Gently spread the guava jam over the base, leaving a small border around the edges.
07 - Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the jam layer to create a streusel topping.
08 - Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
09 - Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into bars.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Tropical Twist: Guava provides a unique, sweet flavor that stands out from typical berry bars.
  • Easy Preparation: With only a handful of pantry staples and a single dough for both the base and topping, this recipe is incredibly straightforward.
  • Perfect Texture: The combination of a soft jam center and a crunchy streusel makes for a satisfying bite every time.
02 -
  • Cold Butter: Use cold, cubed butter to achieve the best crumbly texture for the dough.
  • Jam Border: Leave a small border when spreading the jam to prevent it from sticking to the edges of the pan.
  • Allergens: Note that these bars contain wheat (gluten), eggs, and milk.
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