Get ready to transport your taste buds to a rustic mountain cabin with these irresistible Smoky Mountain Jam Squares! Imagine a dessert that perfectly balances the sweetness of fruity jam, the crunch of oats, and a buttery, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth. Whether you're looking for a quick weekend treat or a crowd-pleasing dessert that takes minimal effort, these jam squares are about to become your new obsession. Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that combines simplicity, nostalgia, and pure deliciousness in every single bite!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 16 squares
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fruit jam (your choice)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing slight overhang for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, softened butter, baking soda, and salt. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse sand.
- Press approximately two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan, creating an even base layer. Use the back of a spoon or flat spatula to compact the mixture.
- Spread the fruit jam evenly over the crumb base, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent burning.
- If using nuts, sprinkle the chopped nuts over the jam layer for added texture and flavor.
- Crumble the remaining crumb mixture over the top of the jam, creating a loose, uneven topping that allows some jam to peek through.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the top is lightly crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan for at least 1 hour. This helps the squares set and makes cutting easier.
- Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the entire batch out of the pan and place on a cutting board.
- Cut into 16 equal squares using a sharp knife, wiping the blade clean between cuts for neat edges.
Tips
- Choose a high-quality jam with intense fruit flavor - the jam is the star of this dessert!
- For extra richness, use room temperature butter to ensure easy mixing and a smoother crumb texture.
- Don't skip the parchment paper - it makes removing and cutting the squares a breeze.
- Allow the squares to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean, neat edges.
- Experiment with different jam flavors like raspberry, apricot, or mixed berry to keep things interesting.
- Toast the nuts before adding them for an enhanced, deeper flavor profile.
- Store the squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.
- For a more decadent version, drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled squares or dust with powdered sugar.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 24g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
