Luscious Raspberry Bars–
**Raspberries are a member of the rose family**
Raspberry Bars
Raspberries are one of nature’s most delicious gems, providing a burst of full flavor in each little berry, along with a heaping dose of nutrients. Â These Raspberry Bars are a great way to incorporate a bit of those nutrients into a wonderful dessert or mid-day snack.
What nutrients do raspberries provide? Â Find out here!
Looking to make a healthier version? Â See our substitutes (below the recipe) and watch for the upcoming “Health Food Bars,” a healthier, homemade version to replace those store bought bars that are usually high in fat, sugar, and salt. Â With our bar recipes, you’ll be able to make several batches ahead and freeze them for those last minute snacks.
**Raspberries have been cultivated since Ancient Greece and are grown throughout the world**
Dough Ingredients:  Â
Raspberry Bar Ingredients
- 1 C sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
3 C flour
1 C shortening
1 egg
pinch of salt
pinch of cinnamon
Fruit Filling Ingredients:
- 1 jar of Raspberry Preserves
“In Christian art, the raspberry is the symbol for kindness. The red juice of the berries was likened to the blood that runs though the heart, where kindness originates.”(source:Â http://www.indepthinfo.com/raspberries/fun-facts.htm )
Baking Instructions:
- -Preheat oven at 375 degrees
-Spray a 9X13 pan with a non-spray cooking spray ( I used a smaller one to get a thicker bar) - Line the pan with parchment paper to make removing them even easier.
- -Combine the sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon.
- -Mix the dry ingredients together.
-Add the shortening and egg.
– Hand mix until crumbly. 
-Divide the dough into half.
– Take the first half of dough and pat it into the bottom of the prepared pan.
-Spread the preserve mixture onto the top of the first half of dough.
-Gently add the other half of the dough as a crumble to the top.
-using a grid with your pan makes separating the bars after baking easy!
- Bake at  375 degrees for  35-45 minutes or until the top is slightly brown.
Raspberry Bars
Healthy Substitutions
- Sugar: substitute an equal amount of natural cane sugar, date sugar, fruit sugar or a lesser amount of xylitol.
- Flour: Â whole wheat flour can be used but might impart a heartier flavor than your family is accustomed to. White wheat is also a good choice and is usually enjoyed by all.
- Shortening: butter or coconut oil will substitute easily, Â but if you want to keep the texture, use half of each.
- Egg: 1/3 cup applesauce or 1 T ground flaxseed + 3 T water
- Raspberry preserves: Use all fruit jam or fresh or frozen raspberries.
I love the sound of the recipe.
I don’t bake often in fear that I would just eat everything!
(Yes, I am that greedy. :p)
They look very delicious!
I know that feeling, Sophie! I am fortunate to have teens still at home–their appetites ensure I don’t over-indulge! 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
I know that feeling, Sophie! I am fortunate to have teens still at home–their appetites ensure I don’t over-indulge! Thanks for visiting!
This recipe sounds so delicious. I want to taste a slice right now. But, for health reasons in an older person like me, I choose to abstain from any sweet food. Oh, how I wish I could ignore my better judgement. 😉
Yes, Francene, sadly, we do need to watch the sweets at any age, so we enjoy these as just a once in a while treat. 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
Hi Diane, I didn’t know that raspberries are a symbol for kindness! How sweet. Your bars look so yummy! I just pinned them. Thanks.
Thank you, Barbara! I find the little tidbits, such as the symbol of kindness, to be quite fun to learn!