The holidays are all about the treats. I can’t get through a single day in December without something sweet (or two or three). A Christmas cut-out, molasses cookie, mint brownie, homemade truffle—give it to me. I keep a stash of treats for just this reason, making a batch every some-odd days and taking some to friends while setting a cache aside for my sugar cravings.

While I love to bake and holiday baking is the best of the best, I don’t always want to spend hours in the kitchen. It’s a busy time of year, and I don’t want to miss decorating the tree, attending holiday parties, and gift shopping. When things get really hectic this time of year, that’s when I make my 2-ingredient jam bars.

They have two (count them, two!) simple ingredients: refrigerated sugar cookie dough and jam. The dough is shaped into bars with a fruity jam filling. The bars are buttery, tender, and just sweet enough. I can fool anyone with these bars—no one would guess how simple they are.

Choosing the Right Jam

One thing I love about this recipe is that it’s a good use-it-up dessert. Whatever half jar of jam you have languishing in the fridge can be used for this recipe. You can even use more than one for a fun flavor combo.

My favorite jam to use (and a favorite in general) is raspberry jam. I like to use a flavorful, tart jam to act as a counterpoint to the sweet cookie dough. I recommend using jam or preserves as opposed to jelly, but any will work