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Oatmeal Jam Bars Recipe

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3.8 from 2 reviews

Oatmeal Jam Bars are a delightful treat featuring a buttery oat base topped with a sweet and tangy layer of jam, finished with a crumbly oat topping. These bars are soft and tender when warm or at room temperature, and become firmer and more sturdy when refrigerated. Perfect for a snack or dessert, they’re easy to prepare and bursting with comforting flavors.

Ingredients

Base and Topping

  • 10 tablespoons (141g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • ½ cup (110g) light brown sugar, packed (fresh and soft)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1¼ cups (157g) all purpose flour
  • 1 cup (90g) old fashioned oats
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

Jam Layer

  • generous ¾ cup (250g) jam or preserves (tart cherry or Bonne Maman Four Fruit Preserves recommended)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pan and preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal of the bars. Lightly spray the liner with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix wet and dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted and cooled butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined, which should take about one full minute for a smooth texture. Then sprinkle the all purpose flour evenly over the mixture, followed by the oats, salt, and baking soda. Stir everything together with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until a uniform dough forms.
  3. Separate dough for topping: Remove about ¾ cup of the cookie dough (a little less than half) and place it in the refrigerator to chill; this portion will be used as the topping. The remaining dough goes into the prepared pan, where you press it down firmly and evenly to form the base layer. It will feel quite buttery.
  4. Bake the base: Bake the base layer in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. This step partially cooks the dough so it can support the jam and topping without becoming soggy.
  5. Add jam and crumb topping: Carefully remove the pan from the oven and spread the jam evenly over the warm base layer. Take the reserved chilled dough out of the refrigerator and crumble it evenly over the jam layer to form a crumbly topping.
  6. Bake again: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15-18 minutes, or until the topping is a light golden brown hue. The bars may appear slightly wobbly when removed, but they will firm up as they cool.
  7. Cool and serve: Place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely. The bars are soft when warm or at room temperature but will become firmer and sturdier if refrigerated before serving.

Notes

  • Jam Choice: Choose a jam with a good balance of sweet and tart flavors for the best results. Tart cherry jam and Bonne Maman Four Fruit Preserves are excellent options.
  • Flour Adjustment: This recipe was updated to include weight measurements and an additional ¼ cup of flour for sturdier bars. If you prefer a softer texture and have tried the recipe previously, using just 1 cup of flour is fine.
  • Storage: These bars can be refrigerated to firm up and stored in an airtight container for several days.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/oatmeal-jam-bars-recipe/