Description
Mom’s Apricot Jammies are delightful sweet and nutty bars featuring a buttery, soft dough studded with chopped walnuts and filled with luscious apricot jam. These classic American dessert bars are perfect for holiday gifting or an everyday treat, combining a tender crumb with a fruity, jammy center and a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
For the Filling and Finishing
- ¾ cup apricot jam
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully combined to enrich the dough with flavor and moisture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until a soft dough forms, ensuring not to overwork it to maintain tenderness.
- Incorporate Walnuts: Stir the finely chopped walnuts into the dough to add crunch and a nutty flavor throughout.
- Shape Dough Logs: Divide the dough into two halves; shape each half into a 12-inch-long log and place both logs on the lined baking sheet, spaced evenly.
- Create Groove and Fill with Jam: Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, press a deep groove down the center lengthwise on each dough log, then spoon apricot jam into the groove evenly, ensuring good coverage.
- Bake: Bake the logs in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and the dough is set.
- Cool Slightly and Slice: Remove from the oven, let cool for 5 minutes to firm up slightly, then slice the logs diagonally into 1-inch-wide bars while still warm to prevent cracking.
- Cool Completely and Finish: Transfer the bars to a wire rack to cool completely, then optionally dust with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant finish.
Notes
- You can substitute the apricot jam with raspberry or strawberry jam for a different fruity flavor profile.
- These bars freeze exceptionally well, making them a convenient treat to prepare ahead of time.
- They are an excellent choice for holiday gifting due to their festive look and delicious taste.
