Nancy Reagan’s Delightful Vienna Bars: A Classic Recipe

A classic layered dessert with a buttery crust, sweet jam, and crumbly topping.

Ingredients

Servings:

16

Crust & Topping

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling

3/4 cup raspberry or apricot jam

Essential Tools

01

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9x13-inch baking dish

02

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Mixing bowls

03

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Measuring cups and spoons

04

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Whisk

05

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Rubber spatula

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Preparation

Preparation

1

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3

Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.

4

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Assembly & Baking

5

Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

6

Press two-thirds of the dough into the baking dish for the crust.

7

Spread jam evenly over the crust.

8

Crumble remaining dough over the jam for the topping.

9

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown.

Cooling & Serving

10

Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.

11

Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.

Recipe Variations

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Different Jam Flavors

Experiment with strawberry, blackberry, or fig jam.

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Citrus Zest

Add lemon or orange zest to the dough.

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Chocolate Chips

Sprinkle chocolate chips over the jam.

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Nuts

Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the topping.

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Spices

Incorporate cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough.

Chef's Tips

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Use softened butter for easy creaming.

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Don’t overmix the dough to avoid a tough crust.

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Cool completely before slicing for neat cuts.

Storage & Conservation

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Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

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Refrigerate for up to 1 week.

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Freeze for up to 2 months.

Common Mistakes

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Using cold butter.

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Overmixing the dough.

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Not cooling completely.

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Burning the topping.

Recipe Keywords

#raspberry bars #apricot bars #crumb bars #shortbread recipe #dessert bars

Conclusion

Enjoy these classic Vienna Bars, a recipe with a touch of history and a whole lot of flavor. Perfect for any occasion, these bars are sure to become a family favorite.