Jammy Apricot Bars

One of the world's most forgiving desserts (and easiest breakfasts).

By
Kristin Donnelly
a photo of Kristin Donnelly, a contributing writer at Serious Eats
Kristin Donnelly
Kristin Donnelly is a cookbook author and writer with over 15 years of experience writing, developing, and testing recipes.
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Updated August 16, 2024
Jammy apricot bars.

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • An easy streusel topping comes together in minutes and doubles as the bottom crust.
  • An infinitely variable recipe: Use the flours, jams, and nuts of your choice.

This is one of the world's most forgiving desserts, and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The streusel acts as a crumbly press-in crust as well as a topping.

Lots of substitutions will work here: You can use spelt flour in place of the whole wheat (or use only all-purpose flour); use a different fruit jam; or try another nut. You can also try adding various spices. Take this recipe and make it yours.

Recipe Details

Easy Apricot Jam Bars With Walnuts Recipe

Total 3 hrs
Serves 24 to 32 servings
Makes 1 pan
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks; 225g), melted, plus more for greasing pan

  • 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour (6 ounces; 175g)

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (5 ounces; 140g)

  • 1 3/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (5.5 ounces; 160g)

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (4 ounces; 110g)

  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar (3 ounces; 85g)

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons (6g) kosher salt

  • 3/4 teaspoon (4g) baking soda

  • 1 1/2 cups (350ml) apricot jam

  • 1/2 cup (117g) walnuts, roughly chopped

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9- by 13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper so that the paper overhangs the long sides of the pan by about 1 inch.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and baking soda. Pour 1 cup melted butter over streusel mixture and stir until ingredients are evenly moistened.

  3. Firmly press all but 3/4 cup of streusel in an even layer into prepared baking pan. Spread jam on top, leaving a 1/4-inch border all around. Press remaining streusel into clumps, add walnuts, and toss. Sprinkle walnut streusel all over jam.

  4. Bake until top is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely, about 2 hours.

  5. Using overhanging parchment paper, lift dessert from baking pan and transfer to a work surface. Cut into bars. Bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Special Equipment

9- by 13-inch baking pan, wire rack

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
187Calories
9gFat
27gCarbs
3gProtein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24 to 32
Amount per serving
Calories187
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g11%
Saturated Fat 4g19%
Cholesterol 15mg5%
Sodium 115mg5%
Total Carbohydrate 27g10%
Dietary Fiber 1g5%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 1mg7%
Calcium 16mg1%
Iron 1mg5%
Potassium 75mg2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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