These sweet homemade gluten free apricot jam bars make a delicious treat any time. You can use any flavor of jam or preserves you have on hand. Make a batch in about 30 minutes!
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If you are looking for the perfect snack, you will want to give my new homemade gluten free jam bars recipe a try! These bars are fruity and sweet, and absolutely delicious! I made these apricot bars without oatmeal since many who are gluten free are also sensitive to oats.
These apricot jam cookie bars are made with just a few simple ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry! The shortbread crust behaves differently when compressed compared to how it is more fluffy when sprinkled on top of the shortbread jam bars.
They are so easy. My family devoured these apricot squares pretty quickly. If your family devours desserts quickly too, make a double batch and freeze some!
If you love fruity bars, you will also want to try my Gluten Free Strawberry Cream Cheese Bars!
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 User
Why you will love these jam bars:
- All you need are a few simple ingredients.
- You can use any flavor of jam you have on hand.
- They freeze beautifully!
Ingredient notes:
- Gluten free flour blend - I tested this recipe using Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend and King Arthur's Measure for Measure Gluten Free Blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours and I can not guarantee the recipe will work if you use other mixes.
- Xanthan Gum - If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- Shredded coconut - Use unsweetened. I also think the smaller shred coconut is easier to use than the ones with long curly coconut shreds.
- Butter - If you are dairy-free, this recipe can easily be made dairy-free by using vegan/dairy-free butter.
- Jam or preserves - Use any flavor!
How to make gluten free apricot bars:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350º F. Add your dry ingredients to a bowl. Whisk to blend.
Step 2: In a smaller bowl add the wet ingredients. Mix and then pour them into the dry ingredients. Mix well into a semi-crumbly mixture.
Step 3: Line a 9x13 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.
HINT: When pressing the dough, you can 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 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 how thick the bottom crust is.
If you like oats in your bars, these yummy Gluten Free Blueberry Oatmeal Bars are fun to make too.
Variations:
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 some fresh fruit like blueberries.
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
A jam bar uses jam or preserves instead of fresh fruit.
You can make these delicious gluten free apricot jam cookie bars :-).
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 for up to 3 days in an air-tight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.
Don't forget to try my incredibly chocolatey Gluten Free Brownie Cheesecake Bars recipe too! You may also love these Gluten Free Raspberry Cream Cheese Bars!
Check out my fun apricot jam bars web story too!
More gluten free dessert bars recipes:
- Gluten Free Tropical Matcha Cookie Bars
- Easy Gluten Free Peanut Butter Bars
- Gluten Free Apple Crumb Bars
- Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
Recipe
Gluten Free Apricot Jam Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten free flour blend * see note
- 1 cup shredded coconut unsweetened
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter unsalted, melted
- 1 egg large
- 13 ounces apricot jam
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- In a large bowl, add the dry ingredients and whisk to blend.
- In a smaller bowl, add the wet ingredients and mix well.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix into a crumbly mixture. Divide it in half.
- Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper.
- Press half of the crust mixture into the bottom of the pan.
- Spread the 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 GF and Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
- Xanthan Gum - If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for 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.
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.
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Annie Hughes
Amazingly adaptable recipe and have made it with apple and raspberry jam as well. Easily converted to dairy free and vegan
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you love these bars, Annie. Thank you for coming back to let everyone know the recipe is great :-).
Jean Holtmann
So easy and super delish!!!!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you loved these Jean! Thank you for coming back to let other readers know!