Guava Jam Bars (Printable version)

Buttery crumbly bars with sweet guava jam and golden streusel topping—a tropical treat that's ready in one hour.

# 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

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
03 - Add cold cubed butter and blend using a pastry cutter or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined and a crumbly dough forms.
05 - Press approximately two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared pan to form the base.
06 - Gently spread guava jam over the base, leaving a small border around the edges.
07 - Crumble remaining dough evenly over the jam layer to create a streusel topping.
08 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
09 - Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into 16 bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together in under an hour with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
  • The buttery crumble and bright guava jam create this perfect textural contrast that keeps people reaching for more.
  • They're foolproof enough for beginners but impressive enough to bring to someone's house without hesitation.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooling the bars completely, or they'll crumble apart when you cut them—I learned this the messy way and ended up with more bar dust than actual bars.
  • If your guava jam is very thick, soften it slightly by stirring in a tablespoon of water, which helps it spread without disturbing the base layer.
  • The butter must be cold before you cut it in—warm butter won't create those crumbly pockets that make these bars special.
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts for clean, professional-looking bars without crumbling.
  • If you're doubling the recipe, use a 9x13-inch pan and add about five minutes to the baking time, keeping an eye on the top color to make sure it doesn't overbake.
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