America's Test Kitchen's Raspberry Streusel Bars

By srumbel

Today’s recipe is one of my favorites! I love a good bar dessert because they come together quick and feed a crowd. America’s Test Kitchen’s Raspberry Streusel Bars are one of my all times favorites because they taste like pie with about 1/4 the work. I’ve been making this recipe for years and it is always a huge hit. The crust is a bit like a shortbread, crisp and delicious, the filling is perfect (thanks to a jam + fresh fruit + lemon juice combo), and the topping is streusel! What’s not to love? Oh, and it’s raspberry! One of the best fruits on earth.
from blessthismess.com

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 sticks unsalted butter, cut into 18 pieces and softened (1 and 1/4 cups), divided
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup pecans toasted and chopped
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup raspberry jam
• 3/4 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with a foil sling and then grease the foil (have the foil over hang the edges so that you can remove the bars to cut and serve).

Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Add 16 of the butter pieces (1 cup, save out 2 tablespoons). Use an electric mixer (or a stand mixer) and beat on low until the mixture starts to resemble wet sand, about 2 minutes. Remove 1 1/4 cups of the mixture and place it in a seperate bowl (reserve for topping).

Place the rest of the butter and flour mixture in the baking pan and press it into an even layer with the bottom of a measuring cup. Bake the crust until it starts to smell good and the edges begin to brown, 14 to 18 minutes.

While the crust is cooking mix the reserved flour mixture, oats, nuts, and brown sugar together. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and pinch the mixture between your fingers to make large pea-sized streusel.

In a small bowl mash the jam, berries, and lemon juice together, leaving a few chunks of raspberry.

Spread the berry mixture evenly over the hot crust, sprinkle on the topping. Bake until filling is bubbling and the topping is a deep golden brown, 22 to 25 minutes.

Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for 2 hours. Remove from the pan using the foil and then cut into squares and serve.

Notes

You can use frozen berries instead of fresh, just be sure to thaw before using.

Yield: Makes 24 bars