These sweet, homemade gluten-free apricot jam bars make a delicious treat anytime. They have a thick shortbread crust and a fluffy crumb topping. They are made with simple ingredients, including gluten free flour, sugar, coconut, butter, eggs, and any flavor of jam or preserves you have on hand. Make a batch in about 30 minutes!
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❤️ Sandi’s Recipe Summary
The Quick Bite: These apricot jam cookie bars are made with just a few simple ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry! You can use any flavor of jam you have on hand and they freeze beautifully.
If you’re looking for the perfect snack, you’ll want to try my new homemade gluten-free jam bar recipe! These bars are fruity and sweet, and absolutely delicious! I made these apricot bars without oatmeal, as many who are gluten-free are also sensitive to oats.
They make a great treat, and nobody will be able to tell they are gluten free. My family devoured these apricot squares pretty quickly. If your family devours desserts quickly, make a double batch and freeze some!
If you like fruity desserts, you will also want to try my Gluten-Free Strawberry Cream Cheese Bars, or this Gluten-Free Apricot Tart recipe.
Tried this yesterday! WOW!!!! Yummylicious! My husband loved it too! Thanks for the great recipe and yes, was SO easy! I did use the Walmart GF flour and worked perfectly well.”
jean h., facebook comment
Ingredient Notes:
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe using Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 and King Arthur Measure for Measure. Both blends performed well without any needed moisture adjustments. Other blends may need adjustments to the moisture. Read Why Gluten-Free Flour Blends Vary to learn more about this.
- Binder – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- Shredded Coconut – Use unsweetened coconut. I also think the smaller shreds of coconut is easier to use than the ones with long, curly coconut shreds.
- Egg – Use a large egg, which works as a binder to hold the shortbread crust together.
- Butter – I recommend unsalted butter.
- Jam or Preserves – Use any flavor!
How to Make Gluten-Free Jam Bars (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350º F. Add your dry ingredients to a bowl and whisk to blend.
Step 2: Add the wet ingredients to a smaller bowl. Mix and then pour them into the dry ingredients. Mix well to form a semi-crumbly mixture.
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Step 3: Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper and press HALF of the dough mixture into the bottom. Be sure to come up a little bit on the sides.
📢 Sandi says: Every gluten-free flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio. The gluten-free flour brand you use will affect the batter’s moisture. If your cake batter is too runny, add more flour, and if it is too thick, add more liquid.
HINT: When pressing the dough, use your hands or the bottom of a flat water glass.
Step 4: Spread the jam or preserves over the crust.
Step 5: This is what the jam will look like when spread over the crust.
Step 6: Use your fingers to sprinkle the remaining half of the crust mixture over the jam.
Step 7: Bake for 25-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bottom crust.
If you like oats in your bars, try these Gluten Free Lemon Oat Bars.
Try these yummy flavor options!
There are so many fun ways to vary this recipe. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Add walnuts or pecans to the jam layer.
- Drizzle the tops with melted white chocolate.
- Top the jam layer with fresh fruit, such as blueberries.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The secret to a fluffy crumb topping is to crumble the top crust mixture into tiny pieces before baking.
You can easily make these bars dairy-free by using dairy-free or vegan butter.
These apricot jam bars will keep fresh for up to 3 days in an airtight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.
Try my incredibly chocolatey Gluten Free Brownie Cheesecake Bars recipe too! You may also love these Gluten Free Raspberry Cream Cheese Bars!
More Gluten Free Dessert Bar Recipes:
Gluten free dessert bars are perfect for snacking. If you want to try more flavors, try these reader favorites:
- Easy Gluten Free Peanut Butter Bars
- Gluten Free Apple Crumb Bars
- Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
- Sweet Gluten Free Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which flour blend you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Fruity Gluten Free Apricot Jam Bars with a Shortbread Crust
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten free flour blend * see note
- 1 cup shredded coconut unsweetened
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder aluminum-free
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg
- 13 ounces apricot jam
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- In a large bowl, add 2 cups gluten free flour blend, 1 cup shredded coconut, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Whisk to blend.
- In a smaller bowl, add the partially melted 3/4 cup unsalted butter and 1 large egg and mix well.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix into a crumbly mixture. Divide it in half.
- Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper.
- Press half of the crust mixture into the bottom of the pan.
- Spread the 13 ounces apricot jam over the crust.
- Use your fingers to sprinkle the remaining crust over the jam.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Remove and allow the bars to cool before slicing them.
Notes
- I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1. That doesn’t mean others will not work; I just have not tested other flours.
- Binder – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 3/4 teaspoon.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter with vegan butter.
- These apricot jam bars will keep for up to 3 days in an air-tight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.
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SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe. I have been testing and creating gluten-free recipes for over 15 years. Creating gluten-free recipes that do not taste gluten-free is my goal for every recipe. Sometimes I only have to test a new recipe a couple of times, and others it takes multiple times. I do this so you get reliable, delicious results every time!
These turned out so delicious! The first time I made them I used apricot jam, the second time I made them with blackberry jam. I used King Arthur gluten free flour , I also replaced the sugar with Monk Fruit
I am so glad to hear monk fruit worked well in this recipe. Thank you so much, Christine!
I made these jam bars with the Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 GF flour and raspberry fruit spread. They were so easy to put together and delicious! Thank you for sharing! I had to start eating gluten free a year ago and appreciate your recipes so much.
I am so glad you loved this recipe. It is one of my favorites because I can use any flavor of jam. Thank you!
could one use coconut sugar rather than processed white? I have some lovely tart plum jar I’m eager to try in this recipe 🙂
Hi Sara, I haven’t tested coconut sugar in this recipe. It should work, though the coconut sugar will make it brown in color. If you try it, please do let me know how it tastes.
Any thoughts on what could be used in place of the coconut?
Hi Marlene, Use the crust from this GF Cranberry Bars recipe. It is yummy and coconut free. https://www.fearlessdining.com/easy-gluten-free-cranberry-shortbread-bars/