Fruit Filled Cookie Bars

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal later.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

3. In a small bowl, whisk the egg and vanilla extract together. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and butter mixture, then stir until a soft dough forms.

4. Take about two-thirds of the dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the cookie base. Use your hands or the back of a spoon to smooth it out.

5. Spread the fruit preserves over the cookie base, leaving a small border around the edges. The preserves should create a lovely fruity layer in the center of the bars.

6. Crumble the remaining one-third of the dough over the fruit preserves to create a streusel-like topping.

7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

8. Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. This step is essential for the bars to set and be easier to slice.

9. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the baking dish. Place them on a cutting board and slice into squares or bars of your desired size.

10. Serve these Fruit Filled Cookie Bars on a beautiful platter or package them up as a lovely homemade gift for friends and family. Enjoy the buttery, fruity goodness in every bite!