Guava Jam Bars (Printable)

Buttery crumbly bars filled with sweet guava jam and topped with golden streusel.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cookie Base and Streusel

01 - 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Filling

08 - 1 cup (320g) 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, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
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 establish the base layer.
06 - Gently spread guava jam over the base, maintaining a small border around the edges.
07 - Crumble remaining dough evenly over the jam layer to create a textured streusel topping.
08 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top achieves a light golden color.
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 contrast between buttery crumble and bright guava jam feels fancy enough for guests but tastes like home.
02 -
  • Cold butter is non-negotiable if you want that crumbly texture; if your kitchen is warm, chill your ingredients and work quickly.
  • Don't skip cooling them completely in the pan—I learned this the hard way when I tried to lift warm bars out and ended up with a guava jam puddle.
03 -
  • If your guava jam is thick or pasty, stir in a teaspoon of water to loosen it before spreading, which helps it distribute evenly.
  • For extra crunch and flavor, mix chopped toasted pecans or almonds into your streusel topping before sprinkling it over the jam.
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