Shortbread Strawberry Jam Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup | 205 grams granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cardamom
1 egg yolk
2 1/2 cups | 320 grams all-purpose flour
1/2 - 3/4 cup strawberry jam
2 - 3 tablespoons chopped nuts

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch square pan with baking spray and set aside.

Fit the stand mixer with the paddle attachment and add the butter, sugar, vanilla, salt, cardamom, and egg yolk. Mix until well combined. Add the flour and mix until no dry streaks remain, the dough should be crumbly.

Remove about 1 cup of the dough and set aside. Add the remaining dough to the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes then remove it from the oven. Spread the jam onto the bars, then sprinkle the reserved dough over the jam, then sprinkle the nuts on top. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35 minutes or until the crust is golden around the edges and the jam is bubbling.

Let cool to room temperature then gently remove from the pan. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container.


You can 1 1/2 times this recipe to make in a 9-by-13-inch pan.