Easy Raspberry Crumble Bars are the perfect balance of sweet, buttery, and tangy. A soft shortbread-style base, a vibrant raspberry filling, and a golden crumb topping come together to create a dessert that’s simple yet incredibly satisfying. These bars are easy to make with pantry staples and require no fancy equipment.

Perfect for dessert trays, bake sales, afternoon coffee, picnics, or holidays, raspberry crumble bars are one of those recipes that always disappear fast. They slice beautifully, travel well, and taste just as good the next day—if not better.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Raspberry Crumble Bars

Why You Should Try This Recipe

Beginner-Friendly and Foolproof

This recipe is straightforward and forgiving, making it ideal for beginner bakers or quick baking days.

Perfect Balance of Flavors

The buttery crust pairs beautifully with the bright raspberry filling, creating a dessert that isn’t overly sweet.

Versatile for Any Occasion

These bars work equally well as a casual snack or a polished dessert for gatherings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All-purpose flour
Old-fashioned oats
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Baking powder
Salt
Unsalted butter, melted
Raspberry jam or preserves
Fresh or frozen raspberries (optional)
Lemon juice (optional, for brightness)

How to Make Easy Raspberry Crumble Bars (Step by Step)

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the crumble mixture

In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, sugars, baking powder, and salt. Stir in melted butter until crumbly.

Step 3: Form the base

Press about ⅔ of the crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Step 4: Add the raspberry layer

Spread raspberry jam evenly over the base. Sprinkle fresh or frozen raspberries on top if using. Add a little lemon juice if desired.

Step 5: Add crumble topping

Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the raspberry layer.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling.

Step 7: Cool and slice

Allow bars to cool completely before slicing for clean edges.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per Bar)

Calories: 220–280
Carbohydrates: 32–38g
Fat: 10–14g
Protein: 3–4g
Sugar: Moderate

Tips for the Best Raspberry Crumble Bars

Press the base firmly so it holds together
Use seedless jam if preferred
Let bars cool fully before cutting
Line the pan for easy removal
Don’t overbake—golden is perfect

Variations & Substitutions

Use strawberry, blueberry, or apricot jam
Add sliced almonds to the crumble
Swap oats for coconut flakes
Make gluten-free with GF flour
Add white chocolate drizzle

What to Serve with Raspberry Crumble Bars

Hot coffee or tea
Vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream
Fresh berries
Dessert platters

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Cutting while warm
Using too much jam
Skipping parchment paper
Overbaking until dry
Unevenly pressing the base

Storing & Reheating Tips

Store in an airtight container
Keep at room temperature up to 2 days
Refrigerate up to 5 days
Freeze for up to 2 months
Thaw at room temperature before serving

Conclusion

Easy Raspberry Crumble Bars are a timeless dessert that never goes out of style. With their buttery crumb, bright raspberry filling, and simple preparation, they’re perfect for both everyday treats and special occasions. Once you try them, they’re sure to become a baking staple.

General Information

Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: About 50 minutes
Category: Dessert / Bars

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are Raspberry Crumble Bars?
They are dessert bars with a buttery base, raspberry filling, and a crumbly topping baked until golden.

2. Can I use fresh raspberries instead of jam?
Yes, but combining fresh raspberries with jam gives the best texture and flavor.

3. Can I use frozen raspberries?
Yes. Do not thaw them first to avoid excess moisture.

4. What type of jam works best?
Seedless raspberry jam or preserves work best, but seeded jam is fine if you prefer texture.

5. Do Raspberry Crumble Bars need refrigeration?
They can be stored at room temperature for short periods, but refrigeration helps them last longer.

6. How long do these bars stay fresh?
Stored properly, they stay fresh up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

7. Can I freeze Raspberry Crumble Bars?
Yes. Freeze them for up to 2 months in an airtight container.

8. How do I get clean slices?
Let the bars cool completely before cutting.

9. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes. Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute.

10. Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes. Use low-sugar jam and slightly reduce the sugar in the crumble mixture.

11. Are these bars overly sweet?
No. The tart raspberry filling balances the buttery crumble nicely.

12. Can I use other fruit flavors?
Yes. Strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, or apricot jam all work well.

13. Do I need oats in the crumble?
No, but oats add texture. You can omit them if preferred.

14. Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Use a larger baking pan and slightly increase baking time.

15. Why is my base crumbly?
The base may not have been pressed firmly enough before baking.

16. Can I add nuts to the topping?
Yes. Sliced almonds or chopped walnuts add great crunch.

17. Are Raspberry Crumble Bars good for bake sales?
Absolutely. They travel well and slice cleanly.

18. Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes. They’re perfect for make-ahead desserts and taste even better the next day.

19. What’s the best pan size for this recipe?
An 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan works best.

20. Are Raspberry Crumble Bars kid-friendly?
Yes. Their sweet, fruity flavor is loved by kids and adults alike.

Easy Raspberry Crumble Bars Recipe