Saturday, January 20, 2024

Almond Crumble Bars with Fruit Jam - Gluten-Free (Sbriciolata di Mandorle)

    Bring a taste of summer to your breakfast table with these almond and oath crumble bars packed with sweet fruit preserve and a touch of lemon flavor. Made with almond flour, so naturally gluten-free!



    Indulge in a delightful and effortless treat that brings the essence of summer to your breakfast table – almond shortbread and oat crumble bars filled with luscious fruit preserve and a hint of lemon flavor. This recipe, known as "sbriciolata di mandorle con marmellata," features a perfect balance of fruity sweetness and buttery goodness.

    Each bite of these almond-infused bars is a symphony of healthy, sweet, and juicy fruit jam encased in a flawlessly crunchy and crumbly almond flour pastry. The unique twist lies in the use of almond flour, making these crumb bars flourless and naturally gluten-free!
    Made with simple ingredients, and ideal for those moments when you crave a delectable dessert in a hurry, this easy recipe is super versatile,  you can use your favorite fruit jam, chocolate spread, or fresh fruit too. AND it's suitable for breakfast alongside your coffee or tea, as a snack, or during tea time. 
    For this recipe, I  use almond flour and no regular all-purpose flour. The almond flavor will be subtle. Make sure to add a 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract for a stronger almond taste!
    Any finely ground almond flour works, or almond meal. I buy mine at Trader's Joe or Whole Foods, but you can find it in most grocery stores. If you can't find almond flour, you can make it yourself: buy whole, blenched almonds and blend/blitz until you get fine, powdery flour. Do not over-blend or you will end up with almond butter instead.
    The texture of these jam bars is perfection – crumbly with just the right amount of crunchiness from rolled oats mixed into the pastry.
    Please note: I added the oats only on crumble topping, but you're welcome to add more oats on the bottom layer too! And make it extra crunchy!
    The addition of gooey goodness comes from the bubbling fruit jam while baking, creating a mouthwatering experience in every bite.
    With a preparation time of only 15 minutes and 45 minutes in the oven, this recipe is a quick and rewarding endeavor. Begin by lining an 8 or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Whether using a food processor for a speedy process or opting for a more hands-on approach with a pastry cutter, knife, or fingers, prepare the crumble by combining cold butter with flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and a large egg.

    Press about 2/3 of the crumble onto the bottom of the baking pan, layer with your favorite fruit jam, and top it off with the remaining crumble (after adding oats) for a delightful finish. To achieve the desired texture, pinch the dough between your fingers when adding the crumble mixture to create coarse crumbs.
    After about 50 minutes in the oven, your gluten-free jam crumb cake is golden brown and ready to be enjoyed. Remember to check after 30 minutes, and if the top of the cake is already golden, cover it loosely with aluminum foil (not to burn the top!).
    Allow it to cool on a wire rack before cutting into bars. 

    Store in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 or 5 days. 
    Get ready to embark on a delightful baking experience – happy baking!

    PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD: Almond Crumble Bars with Fruit Preserve

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