Apricot Crumble Bars That Freeze Beautifully

Apricot crumble bars are buttery, tangy, and ridiculously easy to make. They freeze beautifully, taste like sunshine, and work for breakfast or dessert.

You Need These Bars in Your Life (Trust Me)

Picture this: a buttery, crumbly base, a layer of tangy-sweet apricot jam, and a golden streusel topping that shatters with every bite. Now imagine pulling these out of your freezer months later, and they taste just as good as day one. Sounds like magic? It’s not. It’s just really good baking science. these apricot crumble bars are the ultimate multitasker. They’re dessert, breakfast (don’t judge), and a last-minute lifesaver when guests show up unannounced. Plus, they freeze like a dream—no sad, soggy mess here. Ready to make your future self very, very happy?

Why This Recipe “apricot crumble bars” Slaps

First, the texture is everything. The base is sturdy but tender, the jam layer stays gooey, and the crumble? Perfectly crisp. No one wants a crumble that’s softer than their resolve to avoid eating the whole pan. Second, apricot jam brings the right balance of sweet and tart. It’s not cloying like some fillings, and it pairs stupidly well with the buttery crust. And because we’re using jam, there’s no fussing with fresh fruit—unless you’re into that kind of thing. Finally, these bars freeze like they were born to. Most baked goods turn into sad, weepy versions of themselves after freezing. Not these. They’re basically the superhero of desserts.

Ingredients (apricot crumble bars)

• For the crust & crumble: All-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, unsalted butter (cold), vanilla extract
• For the filling: Apricot jam (the good stuff, not the sad, gelatinous kind), lemon juice (to brighten it up)
• Optional but recommended: A pinch of cinnamon or almond extract for extra oomph

Step-by-Step Instructions (So Easy You Could Do It Half-Asleep)

1. Prep the pan: Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper. No parchment? Grease it like your life depends on it.
2. Make the dough: Pulse flour, sugars, salt, and cold butter in a food processor until it looks like wet sand.
   

   Or use your hands—channel your inner pastry chef.

3. Bake the base: Press 2/3 of the dough into the pan and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Don’t skip this—it’s the foundation of your crumble empire.
4. Add the jam: Mix jam with lemon juice, spread it over the baked base, and crumble the remaining dough on top. No need to be neat—rustic is charming.
5. Bake again: 25-30 minutes until golden.
   

   Let it cool completely unless you enjoy molten jam burns. Your call.

How to Store These Bad Boys

Room temp: Keep them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If they last that long.

Freezer: Wrap individual bars in parchment, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw at room temp or microwave for 10 seconds if you’re impatient.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s foolproof. Even if your baking skills are questionable, these bars turn out great. They’re also versatile—swap the jam, add nuts, or drizzle with chocolate. Go wild. And let’s talk about the time-saving factor. Make a double batch, freeze half, and thank yourself later when you’re too tired to bake but still want something delicious.

Common Mistakes (Don’t Be That Person)

• Using warm butter: Cold butter = flaky crumble. Warm butter = sad, greasy mess.
• Overbaking: The jam should bubble, but the crumble shouldn’t look like charcoal.
• Skipping the lemon juice: Without it, the jam can taste one-note.
  

  Don’t do that to yourself.

Alternatives for the Adventurous

Not an apricot fan? Try raspberry, peach, or even fig jam. For a nutty twist, add chopped almonds to the crumble. Feeling extra? Drizzle with white chocolate after baking. You do you.

Apricot Crumble Bars

Ethan Walker

Buttery, tangy, and endlessly snackable apricot crumble bars made with a jammy filling and golden streusel topping. Perfect for dessert, breakfast, or freezing for later.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings 16 bars

Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar packed
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter cold, cut into cubes
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup apricot jam use high-quality jam
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• pinch cinnamon or almond extract optional

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease well.
• In a food processor or bowl, combine flour, sugars, and salt. Add cold butter and vanilla. Pulse or cut in until mixture resembles wet sand.
• Press 2/3 of the mixture into the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
• Mix apricot jam with lemon juice. Spread over the baked crust.
• Crumble remaining dough over the top. Sprinkle with cinnamon or almond extract if using.
• Bake another 25–30 minutes until top is golden and jam is bubbling.
• Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Notes

Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze wrapped in parchment and foil for up to 3 months. Swap apricot jam for any fruit jam, or add chopped nuts for extra texture. Gluten-free 1:1 flour works too.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 60mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.6mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

FAQs about apricot crumble bars

Can I use fresh apricots instead of jam?

Sure, but you’ll need to cook them down with sugar first. Jam is just easier. IMO, save the fresh fruit for eating straight out of the fridge.

Why did my crumble turn out soggy?

You probably didn’t let the base cool before adding the jam. Or you froze them without wrapping properly. FYI, moisture is the enemy here.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yep. Swap the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still taste great.

Final Thoughts

These apricot crumble bars are the dessert equivalent of a trusty pair of jeans—reliable, always good, and they make you look like you’ve got your life together. Make them, freeze them, and bask in the glory of having a killer dessert on demand. You’re welcome.