Jam Crumble Bars – Easy, Buttery, Melt-in-Your-Mouth

There’s something so satisfying about a good jam crumble.
This one has it all—a buttery almond-rich crust, a generous layer of jam, and a golden crumble topping that melts in your mouth. It’s simple, versatile, and can be baked as bars or as a round crumble cake to slice and share.

I couldn’t decide on just one jam, so I went with strawberry and apricot swirled together—sweet, tangy, and honestly so pretty. Whether you stick to a favorite or swirl a few like I did, this jam crumble recipe is the kind you’ll come back to again and again.

This jam crumble has been a staple in my family for as long as I can remember. My mom’s always making jam—strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, fig, apricot… you name it, it’s in the fridge. And when there’s jam, this crumble usually follows. It’s quick, adaptable, and made with ingredients we always have at home. We’ve baked it with different nuts, different jam combos, even different shapes—bars, slices, round cake. It’s the kind of recipe that works for casual coffee with friends or something sweet after dinner, and it never lets you down.

Watch How This Jam Crumble Comes Together

Here’s how to make this easy jam crumble, step-by-step—watch how the dough comes together, how to get that perfect almond crumble topping, and more.

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Why This Jam Crumble Is So Good

• It uses simple baking ingredients. You don’t need anything fancy—just flour, butter, jam, and a few pantry baking staples like almond flour, powdered sugar, and cornstarch.
• It’s easy, buttery, and nostalgic. The almond-rich dough and golden crumble topping give this jam crumble recipe a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture with a cozy, old-fashioned feel.
• Use any jam you love. Strawberry, apricot, raspberry, fig—anything goes. Swirl two together for a jam crumble slice that looks bakery-made.
• No oats, no blind baking, no fuss. Looking for a jam crumble without oats? This one keeps the texture soft and tender with minimal steps.
• Bake it your way. You can press it into a square pan for jam bars, a round tin for a jam crumble cake, or even bake it in a tray and slice it however you like.
• Easily customizable. Add almonds to the crumble, play with citrus zest, or swap jams depending on the season. It’s the kind of dessert that works anytime, for anything.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this easy jam crumble recipe—broken down for the dough, filling, and topping. Nothing too complicated, but each ingredient plays its part to give you that soft texture and rich, buttery flavor.

What You’ll Need for the Dough:

• Powdered sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Almond flour
• Cornstarch
• Cold butter
• Lemon zest
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Cold milk or water

For the filling:

• Jam (strawberry, apricot, fig, raspberry, or a swirl of two)

For the crumble topping:

• Reserved dough
• Thinly sliced almonds
• Optional: a bit of extra flour if the crumble feels too soft

How to Make This Jam Crumble (Step-by-Step)

This jam crumble recipe is super easy to make. You’ll start by mixing a buttery almond dough, press most of it into a pan and pre-bake it, then add your favorite jam and finish with a soft crumble topping. A quick second bake gives you golden edges and that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture. No blind baking, no stress—just a few simple steps and it’s done.

Tips for the Best Jam Crumble

• Line your pan with parchment paper. It makes lifting and slicing way easier, especially if you’re making jam crumble bars.
• Use cold butter. This helps create that soft, short texture in the dough and keeps the crumble topping from melting into one solid layer.
• Don’t overwork the dough. Mix just until the dough holds together—overmixing can make the base tough.
• If the dough feels too soft, don’t worry. You can still press it into the base and pre-bake as usual. For the crumble topping, mix in a few extra tablespoons of flour to help it break apart and scatter more easily.
• Chill the crumble if needed. A quick 10–15 minutes in the fridge can firm it up enough to crumble properly.
• Spread the jam while the base is still warm. It helps it glide over the surface without tearing the crust.
• Let it cool completely before slicing. This helps the jam set and makes the bars or slices much easier to cut cleanly.

Flavor Combos to Try with Your Jam Crumble

There are so many ways to make this jam crumble recipe your own, just by changing the jam and playing with flavor pairings in the crumble or dough. Here are a few classic and creative combos to inspire you:

• Apple jam + cinnamon – Add a little ground cinnamon to the crumble topping for cozy, fall vibes.
• Strawberry jam + pistachio + rosewater – A subtle splash of rosewater in the dough or crumble pairs beautifully with strawberry jam and chopped pistachios.
• Orange or apricot jam + cardamom + orange blossom – A warm, aromatic combo that gives major Middle Eastern dessert vibes.
• Pear jam + almond extract – A little almond extract in the dough brings out the delicate sweetness of pear.
• Raspberry jam + lemon zest – Bright, tart, and balanced. Add extra lemon zest to the dough or crumble.
• Fig jam + walnuts + orange zest – Earthy and rich. Add chopped walnuts to the crumble and orange zest to the dough for a deep, cozy flavor.
• Peach jam + thyme + lemon – Fresh and summery. A pinch of thyme in the crumble and lemon zest in the dough makes this combo sing.

How to Store It

This jam crumble keeps well, which makes it a great make-ahead bake. Whether you make it as bars or slices, here’s how to store it:

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for 1–2 days if your kitchen isn’t too warm.
• Fridge: Keeps well for up to 5 days. The jam layer stays set, and the crumble stays soft.

It’s best served at room temp, or slightly chilled if you prefer that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

If You Like This, Try These Next

If this jam crumble hit the spot, here are a few more NuniOli bakes and sweets you might love:

• Homemade Fruit Crumble – A cozy dessert that doubles as breakfast.
• Date Rolls – A no-bake mix of dates, nuts, and spices, rolled in coconut and sliced like candy.
• Orange Loaf Cake – Moist, fragrant, and perfect with a cup of tea.
• Cheese Fritters – Lightly crisp on the outside, soft and creamy inside—serve with jam or fruit.
• Filo Pie – A savory twist if you’re feeling something flaky and cheesy.

Or browse all my baking recipes here.

Hope you give this jam crumble a try—it’s the kind of bake that always delivers. Let me know how you make it your own!