Walnut Pear Shortbread Crumble Bars
Buttery shortbread crumble bars filled with warm, sweet pear jam and topped with cinnamon-kissed dough and crunchy walnuts—an easy, cozy treat perfect for autumn baking and gifting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55–60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30–45 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 cup plus 4 tablespoons (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to just warm
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups pear jam
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Line a 9×11-inch baking pan with a parchment or foil sling and coat with baking spray.
- In a medium bowl, stir together melted butter, sugar, salt, egg yolks, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add flour and cinnamon; mix just until combined.
- Remove 1/2 cup of the dough, cover lightly with plastic wrap, and set aside for the crumble topping.
- Press the remaining dough firmly into the prepared pan. Freeze for 30–60 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Bake the crust for about 30 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Increase oven temperature to 350°F.
- Spread pear jam evenly over the warm crust. Crumble the reserved dough over the top and sprinkle with walnuts.
- Bake 25–30 minutes, or until topping is lightly browned.
- Cool completely before lifting out with the sling and cutting into squares.
Notes
Use apple, fig, apricot, or berry jam for variation.
Add cardamom for deeper fall flavor.
Mix oats into the crumble for extra texture.
Substitute pecans for walnuts or omit nuts entirely.
Drizzle with powdered sugar glaze for a more dessert-like finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
