Guava Jam Bars (Printer View)

Buttery cookie bars with sweet guava jam filling and golden streusel topping for a tropical dessert experience.

# What you'll need:

→ Cookie Base and Streusel

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

→ Filling

08 - 1 cup guava jam or guava paste, softened

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
03 - Add cold, cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or fingertips, blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until combined and a crumbly dough forms.
05 - Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared pan to form the base.
06 - Gently spread the guava jam over the base, leaving a small border around the edges.
07 - Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the jam layer to create a streusel topping.
08 - Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
09 - Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dough is forgiving and doesn't require fancy techniques, just cold butter and your fingertips.
  • One batch makes sixteen bars, perfect for sharing or pretending you'll save some for later.
  • The guava jam does all the flavor work while you focus on getting that streusel golden and crispy.
02 -
  • Cold butter is everything; if yours softens while you're mixing, pop the bowl in the fridge for five minutes before continuing.
  • Don't cut the bars while they're warm or they'll fall apart; patience here is the difference between beautiful squares and a crumbly mess.
03 -
  • Toast your nuts in a dry skillet for three minutes before adding them to the streusel; it deepens the flavor and adds actual crunch instead of a soft texture.
  • If you can't find guava jam, guava paste works beautifully too, but soften it slightly so it spreads without tearing your dough base.
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