Apricot Jam Bars with Coconut Crust – A Sweet and Chewy Dessert Favorite

Why You’ll Love This Apricot Jam Bars

• Ease of preparation: This apricot jam bars recipe is designed for simplicity, requiring minimal ingredients and straightforward steps that fit into a quick cooking time, making it perfect for busy lifestyles.
• Health benefits: Packed with natural apricot goodness, these bars offer fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, contributing to overall wellness while avoiding excessive sugars and fats.
• Versatility: This apricot jam bars dish easily adapts to various dietary needs, including vegan, gluten-free, and low-calorie options, ensuring everyone can enjoy its delightful taste.
• Distinctive flavor: The sweet and tangy profile of apricot jam bars creates a unique flavor experience, enhanced by the balance of sweetness and a subtle tartness that makes this recipe stand out.

Essential Ingredients for Apricot Jam Bars

• 3/4 cup (170g) butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 2 1/2 cups (250-315g) all-purpose flour (start with 2 cups and add up to 1/2 cup more if sturdier bars are desired)
• 1/4 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon baking powder (most versions use 1/4 to 1 tablespoon; 1 tablespoon creates a lighter texture)
• 1 1/3 cups (130g) sweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup (60g) chopped walnuts or slivered almonds (plus extra for garnish if desired)
• 10 to 13 ounces (280-370g) apricot preserves or jam of choice
• Optional: pinch of salt

Special Dietary Options

• Vegan: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine.
• Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
• Low-calorie: Replace brown sugar with a natural low-calorie sweetener like stevia or erythritol.

How to Prepare the Perfect Apricot Jam Bars: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or non-stick foil sprayed with cooking spray for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt if using. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until smooth and even. Fold in shredded coconut and nuts. If the dough is too sticky, add extra flour 1 tablespoon at a time until manageable.
4. Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.
5. Spread the apricot preserves evenly over the crust layer, ensuring consistent thickness.
6. Crumble the remaining dough over the preserves to create a topping. Optionally, sprinkle additional chopped nuts or shredded coconut for garnish.
7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and firm to the touch. For thicker bars, use a smaller pan (e.g., 11×7 inches), reduce oven temperature by 25°F, and increase baking time accordingly.
8. Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares. For easier slicing and to prevent breaking, chill bars in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, then bring to room temperature before serving.

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Apricot Jam Bars – Protein and Main Component Alternatives

• Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter to accommodate vegan diets.
• Add chopped nuts such as almonds or walnuts to increase protein and texture.
• Use gluten-free oat flour or almond flour in place of all-purpose flour for gluten-free adaptations.
• Incorporate plant-based protein powders into the mixture to boost protein content.
• For low-calorie versions, reduce or replace brown sugar with natural sweeteners like stevia or erythritol without compromising sweetness.
• Use seed butters like sunflower or tahini for nut-free alternatives that maintain creaminess and add protein.

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Apricot Jam Bars – Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications

• Swap apricot jam with other fruit spreads such as raspberry, blueberry, or peach jam to suit your taste preferences or seasonal availability.
• Add cinnamon or nutmeg to the oat mixture to add warmth and spice.
• Use natural fruit preserves with no added sugar or fresh mashed fruit to avoid refined sugars.
• Incorporate shredded carrots or zucchini into the oat mixture for added moisture and nutritional benefits from vegetables.
• Top bars with dairy-free yogurt or a sprinkle of coconut flakes to add complementary texture and flavor.

Mastering Apricot Jam Bars: Advanced Tips and Variations

• Use chilled butter and pulse quickly in a food processor to create a flakier texture in the crust and topping.
• Add a pinch of sea salt or vanilla extract to the dough to enhance the natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Slice bars into uniform squares and dust lightly with powdered sugar or garnish with fresh apricot slices for attractive presentation.
• Prepare the oat mixture and jam topping separately in advance and assemble just before baking to save time on busy days.

How to Store Apricot Jam Bars: Best Practices

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Apricot Jam Bars

apricot jam bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

🍑 Dive into the fruity bliss of Apricot Jam Bars! These treats balance the richness of coconut and nuts with sweet-tart apricot preserves.
🥥 Perfect for gatherings or a cozy afternoon snack, these bars are quick to make and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth craving!

• Total Time: 1 hour to 2 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: About 24 bars 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

3/4 cup (170g) butter, softened

1 cup (200g) granulated sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 to 2 1/2 cups (250-315g) all-purpose flour (start with 2 cups and add up to 1/2 cup more if sturdier bars are desired)

1/4 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon baking powder (most versions use 1/4 to 1 tablespoon; 1 tablespoon creates a lighter texture)

1 1/3 cups (130g) sweetened shredded coconut

1/2 cup (60g) chopped walnuts or slivered almonds (plus extra for garnish if desired)

10 to 13 ounces (280-370g) apricot preserves or jam of choice

Optional: pinch of salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1-Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or non-stick foil sprayed with cooking spray for easy removal.

2-In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

3-In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt if using. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until smooth and even. Fold in shredded coconut and nuts. If the dough is too sticky, add extra flour 1 tablespoon at a time until manageable.

4-Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.

5-Spread the apricot preserves evenly over the crust layer, ensuring consistent thickness.

6-Crumble the remaining dough over the preserves to create a topping. Optionally, sprinkle additional chopped nuts or shredded coconut for garnish.

7-Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and firm to the touch. For thicker bars, use a smaller pan (e.g., 11×7 inches), reduce oven temperature by 25°F, and increase baking time accordingly.

8-Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares. For easier slicing and to prevent breaking, chill bars in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, then bring to room temperature before serving.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Notes

🔪 Use apricot jam for a smooth layer or preserves for a chunkier texture.
🍯 Enhance flavor by adding cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg to the dough.
❄️ Store in an airtight container; refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Chilling: 1-2 hours
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 176-195
• Sugar: 16-17g
• Sodium: 70-73mg
• Fat: 8-10g
• Saturated Fat: 5-6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3-4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25-27g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 23mg