This is a simple and delicious dessert for any occasion. You can use whatever flavor of preserve you like. Give it a special kick and serve with vanilla ice cream.

Preparation time: 75 minutes (including baking)

What you need:

2 cups (240g) white flour

½ cup (100g) sugar

¼ teaspoon fine salt

16 tablespoons (2 sticks; 225g) butter, cut into small cubes

1 cup (340g) blackberry preserve (you can substitute with any other preserve you like)

½ cup (50g) sliced almonds

How to do it:

Preheat the oven to 350 F. (180C).

Combine flour, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Using your (clean) hands, work the butter into the flour mixture until crumbly. Reserve a little less than half of the mixture for the crumb topping.

Butter a 9 inch (23cm) square baking form and press a bit more than half of the mixture into the bottom. Bake (middle rack) for 15-20 minutes until very lightly browned.

Remove from the oven. Spread the preserve over the hot crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumbly crust mixture over the filling, then scatter the almonds on top.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping starts to turn golden brown. Let cool (in the form). Cut into bars – small or large. Serve with vanilla ice cream for a special treat.

Enjoy!