Friday, January 3, 2014

Rich Jam Squares

This is an easy recipe and it turns out any way you want it depending on your choice of jam and nuts!

Rich Jam Squares
1/2 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups your favorite, thick jam
1 cup chopped nuts, your choice.

Crumb Topping
1/4th cup butter
1/4th cup brown sugar
1/4th cup all-purpose flour

Blend together into a crumbly mixture.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking pan with parchment paper or use vegetable oil spray.

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add in the egg yolks and vanilla. With a spoon, mix in the flour - the mixture will be crumbly but will cling together. Spread the dough in a 9x9-inch pan or whatever you have that will work for the amount of dough. Press the dough down firmly to cover the bottom of the pan. Spread your jam over the top. You want it to cover the dough but not be overly thick. Sprinkle with the chopped nuts. Evenly top the whole thing with the crumb topping.

Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes our until lightly browned. Cool in the pan and then cut into squares.

You can also scatter chocolate chips over the top before baking. When it comes from the oven, you can spread them a bit.