Jam Shortbread Bars
My cell phone rang just as I was about to deliver a tray of these bars to a friend of mine. Her daughter was graduating high school and the cookies would be my donation to the dessert buffet at her graduation party. I answered the phone – on the other end was another friend of mine. Almost immediately I knew there was something wrong. Knowing someone as long as we have been friends, you learn to pick up on these things. Sadly, it was bad news. Her father had just passed away. In an instant I knew that the same cookies resting on the car seat beside me destined for a party, would unfortunately be making an appearance at a funeral as well.
That is how it is these days in the life of an empty-nester. On one hand, so much joy is happening all around us. Our children have reached ages where there is so much to celebrate in their lives. Graduations. Awards. Acceptances to college. New jobs. Moving away from home. (Still debating whether or not that one falls into the category of joy or sadness.) At the same time, our jobs are shifting from caretaker of our children to caretaker of our parents. That is where the sadness comes in. I said good-bye to my own Dad a few years back. I am blessed to still have my mom . However, so many of my friends are either caring for aging parents, or, sadly, have recently lost them.
Grief balanced with joy. We are lucky to have each other – my friends and I. Strength is found in numbers. There was no need for her to even ask. My friend knew I would be baking something to bring for the dessert buffet at her house as we sat Shiva for her father. Many friends showed up bearing sustenance in one form or another. Food soothes the soul. It brings us together – in times of joy – and in times of sadness.
Jam Shortbread Bars
Any jam (or preserves) can be used in this recipe. Raid the pantry for those jars that you brought home from the fair or local farmer’s market. Better yet, use up the already opened jars in your refrigerator. Pairing a sweeter jam with one a bit more on the tart side adds a hint of complexity to these cookies.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup jam – I used my homemade nectarine and white cherry jam
1/4 cup jam – I used my homemade plumcot jam
1/2 cup sliced almonds
Powdered sugar if desired
Preheat oven to 350˚. Combine the flour, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to blend. Add butter to the flour mixture and pulse until crumbly and the butter is distributed throughout. Set aside one cup of the flour mixture.
Lightly grease an 11 x 7-inch or 9-inch square pan. Using a flat spatula or the bottom of a glass, press remaining flour mixture onto bottom of prepared pan.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
Spread 1 cup of jam over the crust. Dollop the remaining 1/4 cup of jam by 1/2 teaspoonfuls over the first layer of jam. Sprinkle reserved 1 cup flour mixture over jam. Sprinkle with almonds.
Return to oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. ( I left this step out but will definitely include it the next time I make these. It adds to the “pretty” factor.)
Source: Inspired by Southern Living’s Best-Ever Bar Cookies
Life changes in a split second, doesn’t it? And food is always with us along our journey. A lovely post with a scrumptious recipe, just elegant.
Thanks Deb!
Beautiful post, beautiful pictures. How true, and how fine, the balance from grief to joy.
Thanks Sher!
Oh Mary, as each year passes, I see for myself how the beauty of one moment is darkened by the sadness of another, and the cycle continues. This is such a beautiful post and reminder to cherish the delicious things in life, while they are here, with us. Your friend is lucky to have you 🙂
I know you learned this at far too young an age. Friends are life’s treasure – both in good times and in sad. I treasure our friendship!