Easy Small Batch Raspberry Crumb Bars: Your Go-To Loaf Pan Recipe for Deliciousness

Everyone’s favorite crumb bars, perfectly portioned and baked right in a loaf pan! These Raspberry Crumb Bars are a delightful treat, featuring a rich, buttery shortbread-like dough that forms both the base and the irresistible crumb topping, sandwiching a vibrant layer of sweet raspberry jam. This recipe yields roughly 8 delicious squares, making it ideal for small households or when you simply crave a fresh-baked indulgence without an overwhelming amount of leftovers. Get ready to enjoy a taste of pure comfort!

Finding Comfort and Joy in Baking Again

Hello September! Lately, I’ve found myself navigating through a bit of a personal and creative “funk.” It’s a journey I’m still on, and not one I’m quite ready to unravel publicly, but you might have observed a slight pause in my usual posting rhythm here. Perhaps it was the lingering haze of summer, the cumulative weight of daily responsibilities, or simply a deeper need for rest than I initially understood. Despite the quieter presence on the blog, my digital kitchen remains vibrant on Instagram, where I share daily adventures and culinary snippets. You can always catch up with me at @homemadeinthekitchen and @citylifeadventures.

To help me rediscover my balance and push past this slump, I returned to a profound source of joy and therapy: baking. Long before it became my profession, baking was always my sanctuary, a place where simple ingredients transformed into something magical and comforting. Summer heat often makes turning on the oven less appealing, but a recent, much-welcomed break in the weather, thanks to some incredible rain (you have to see how wild it was!), created the perfect cool window. Regardless of whether it feels more like summer or fall outside, I seized the opportunity to get back to what I love, specifically focusing on the charm of small batch baking with my indispensable loaf pan.

The Undeniable Charm of Small Batch Baking with a Loaf Pan

If you don’t already own one, let me make a strong recommendation: purchase a 9×5 inch loaf pan. Better yet, grab two if you bake as frequently as I do! These pans are not just for quick bread; they are incredibly versatile tools that unlock a world of small batch baking possibilities. Small batch recipes are a revelation for anyone looking to enjoy fresh, homemade treats without the commitment of a large-scale dessert. They’re perfect for smaller households, minimize food waste, and allow for more frequent baking experiments. A loaf pan makes portion control effortless and ensures you always have just enough of a delicious treat on hand without an excess of leftovers.

Jam bars have been a staple in my baking repertoire for as long as I can remember. These Raspberry Jam Bars are one of those timeless recipes that many bakers start with, and for good reason. They are wonderfully simple, incredibly satisfying, and highlight the delightful contrast between a tender, buttery crust and a bright, fruity filling. Similar to my beloved raspberry cheesecake bars and peach crumb bars, the cleverness of this recipe lies in using a single, versatile dough for both the firm base and the delightful crumb topping. This ingenious approach simplifies the preparation process significantly, meaning fewer steps and fewer dishes to wash. And the best part? You won’t even need to pull out your electric mixer for this one – a simple bowl and a pastry cutter are all you require!

Crafting the Perfect Buttery Crumb Dough

Developing this particular recipe for raspberry crumb bars involved some delightful, albeit informative, trial and error. My first test batch was an adaptation of my popular Apple Pie Crumb Bar recipe, scaled down by half and initially calling for just one egg yolk. While the result was certainly delicious, I quickly discovered that a single yolk didn’t provide enough binder for both a sturdy base and a generous crumb topping for a loaf pan. Therefore, for my subsequent baking session, I opted to use one whole egg. This simple adjustment proved to be the perfect solution, yielding a dough with ideal consistency and quantity. An added benefit, which many home bakers can appreciate, is not having to worry about what to do with leftover egg whites!

Another critical element I refined was the baking temperature. My second batch was baked at 375°F (190°C), primarily because that was the temperature specified in the original recipe I was adapting. However, in the spirit of thorough testing, I decided to bake a third batch at 350°F (175°C) for comparison. Both yielded excellent results, but the bars baked at the slightly higher temperature of 375°F had a distinct edge – literally! The edges of these bars achieved a more beautiful, golden-brown hue and a slightly crisper texture, which I found to be absolutely perfect. This subtle caramelization adds an extra layer of depth and flavor that truly elevates the humble crumb bar.

When you’re preparing the dough, don’t be surprised if it looks a bit crumbly and dry. This is precisely the texture we’re aiming for in a classic shortbread-style crumb bar. The crucial test is whether it forms a cohesive dough when you press it firmly between your fingers. If, even after pressing, it still feels excessively dry or too loose to handle, you can carefully add just a drop or two of cold water. Mix it in gently until the dough just barely comes together. It’s important to be sparing with the water; the dough should never become wet or sticky, as this would change its intended crumbly texture. This delicate balance ensures a perfectly tender and rich base and a delightfully crisp crumb topping.

Choosing Your Perfect Raspberry Jam Filling (and Other Delicious Options)

For the vibrant heart of these delectable bars, I chose classic raspberry jam. While a good quality store-bought jar offers convenience and consistent flavor, if you’re feeling a touch ambitious and want to truly personalize your baking, making your own jam is a rewarding experience. I have fantastic recipes for raspberry jam without pectin, which is surprisingly straightforward, or for those who enjoy a unique flavor adventure, a raspberry jalapeno jam can introduce an exciting sweet-and-spicy kick!

The wonderful versatility of jam bars means you’re not strictly limited to raspberry. Feel free to explore a spectrum of other fruit jams, depending on your preferences or what seasonal fruits are available. Imagine the delightful taste of these bars with a tangy blueberry jam, a sweet and familiar strawberry jam without pectin, a fragrant peach jam without pectin, or even a deep and tart sour cherry jam. Each choice promises a distinct and equally delicious flavor profile, making these crumb bars a fantastic canvas for your culinary creativity. Whichever jam you decide on, ensuring it’s of good quality will undoubtedly make your filling shine.

Serving and Storing Your Homemade Delights

This recipe for small batch raspberry crumb bars is perfectly designed to yield up to 8 generous squares, though the exact number can vary depending on how you choose to cut them. These bars are truly versatile when it comes to serving. They are absolutely heavenly served warm, perhaps accompanied by a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream, allowing the raspberry jam to become wonderfully gooey and fragrant. They are equally delightful at room temperature, making them a perfect companion for your morning coffee, an afternoon tea break, or a quick, satisfying snack. These bars are also excellent for advanced preparation or for having a lovely treat on hand for impromptu guests. To maintain their freshness, store any leftover raspberry crumb bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you prefer a firmer texture, they can also be stored in the refrigerator. However, given how irresistibly delicious these buttery, fruity squares are, it’s highly likely they won’t last that long!

Small Batch Raspberry Crumb Bars

Yield:
8 squares

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
40 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour

Indulge in these delightful small batch jam bars, perfectly baked in a loaf pan! These Raspberry Crumb Bars feature a rich, buttery shortbread dough and a sweet raspberry jam filling, yielding about 8 squares of pure bliss.

Ingredients

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (4 ounces) cold butter, cut into 8 tablespoons
1 egg
1/2 cup raspberry jam (homemade or store bought)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan, then line it with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on the longer sides. This will create “handles” to easily lift the cooled bars out of the pan.
In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until they are well combined.
Add the cold butter, which you’ve cut into 8 tablespoons, to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut the butter into the flour mixture until the butter pieces resemble small, coarse pebbles, with some pea-sized chunks remaining. This texture is key for a crumbly, tender dough.
Add the whole egg to the mixture. Continue to cut it in with the pastry cutter until the egg is mostly incorporated into the dry ingredients. The dough will still appear dry and crumbly, but it should hold together when you firmly press a small amount between your fingers. If it’s too dry to cohere, add just a drop or two of cold water, mixing sparingly until it just comes together. Be careful not to make the dough wet or sticky.
Reserve about 1/2 cup of this prepared dough for the topping. Press the remaining dough evenly and firmly into the bottom of your prepared loaf pan to form the crust.
Carefully spread the 1/2 cup of raspberry jam evenly over the pressed dough crust.
Take the reserved 1/2 cup of dough. Gently press small portions of this dough together with your fingers to form larger, more distinct crumbs. Scatter these crumbs evenly over the raspberry jam layer, ensuring the preserves are covered as much as possible to create a delicious crumb topping.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crumb topping is a beautiful golden brown and the edges of the bars begin to pull away slightly from the sides of the pan. The jam should also appear bubbly.
Once baked, remove the loaf pan from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Allowing the bars to cool fully is crucial for them to set properly, making them much easier to cut and ensuring a clean slice.
Once completely cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to gently lift the entire slab of raspberry crumb bars out of the loaf pan. Cut into 8 squares or your desired serving portions. Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Enjoy your homemade delight!

Did you make this recipe?

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More Delicious Loaf Pan Recipes to Explore

If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and charm of small batch baking in a loaf pan, then you’re in for a treat! This incredibly versatile pan can churn out an array of fantastic desserts, perfect for when you crave a homemade delight without committing to a full-sized baking project. From creamy cheesecakes to rich fudge brownies, there’s a whole world of flavor waiting to be explored with your trusty loaf pan. Here are some more of my favorite small batch recipes that utilize this fantastic piece of bakeware:

Small Batch Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars: A creamy, dreamy dessert with vibrant strawberry swirls, scaled down to perfection for a smaller indulgence.
Small Batch Lemon Bars: Zesty, bright, and utterly refreshing, these lemon bars deliver a delightful tang in every perfect bite.
Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: All the chewy, chocolatey goodness of classic cookies, but conveniently baked in an easy-to-make bar format.
Small Batch Fudge Brownies: Rich, dense, and intensely chocolatey, these brownies hit all the right notes for a serious chocolate craving in a manageable quantity.
No Bake Cheesecake Bars: For those days when you desire a delightful dessert without turning on the oven, these creamy, no-bake bars are a perfect, simple solution.

Why Choose Small Batch Baking? A Deeper Dive

Beyond the undeniable handiness of a loaf pan, small batch baking offers a multitude of benefits that cater to modern lifestyles. It’s an excellent method for meticulous portion control, which is great for managing cravings or dietary needs. It significantly reduces food waste, ensuring that you enjoy every last crumb of your freshly baked goods. For smaller households, it means enjoying a homemade treat more frequently without being overwhelmed by a massive batch of leftovers. Small batch baking also encourages more spontaneous culinary adventures – a delightful treat can be whipped up on a whim without requiring a huge time commitment or an exhaustive list of ingredients. Furthermore, it provides the perfect canvas for experimenting with new flavors or adapting classic recipes, just as we did with these raspberry crumb bars. Embrace the joy, flexibility, and efficiency that small batch baking brings to your kitchen, making deliciousness accessible any day of the week!

A Note on Ingredient Quality for the Best Crumb Bars

While this raspberry crumb bar recipe is remarkably forgiving and straightforward, the quality of your ingredients can subtly, yet significantly, elevate the final taste and texture. For example, using good quality, cold butter is paramount for achieving that rich, authentic buttery flavor and the desired crumbly texture in both the crust and topping. Similarly, a high-quality raspberry jam, whether it’s a gourmet store-bought brand or a vibrant homemade concoction, will ensure a truly authentic and delicious fruit flavor in the filling. Don’t underestimate the power of fresh, quality ingredients to transform your baking from simply good to truly exceptional. Remember, baking is also about fun, experimentation, and personal expression – feel free to substitute or add ingredients that perfectly suit your palate and preferences!