Description
These Strawberry Oatmeal Bars combine a buttery oat crust with a sweet strawberry jam and fresh strawberry filling, topped with toasted coconut for a delightful texture. Perfect as a snack or dessert, these bars are easy to prepare and bake, delivering a tasty treat that highlights fresh and vibrant strawberry flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Topping
- ¾ cups old-fashioned oats (75 grams)
- ¾ cups all-purpose flour (90 grams)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder (1 gram)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup salted butter, melted (113 grams, 1 stick)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (4 grams)
- ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut (43 grams)
Filling
- â…“ cup strawberry jam (113 grams)
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, diced (84 grams)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the bars.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the oats, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt, mixing well for an even distribution of ingredients.
- Add wet ingredients: Pour in the melted butter and vanilla extract into the dry mixture, stirring thoroughly until you achieve a well-combined, crumbly batter.
- Prepare crust: Reserve ½ cup of the mixture for topping later. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 8×8-inch baking dish to form the crust.
- Bake the crust: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust has set and is firm to the touch.
- Add the jam layer: Remove the crust from the oven, spoon the strawberry jam over it, spreading it evenly to the edges.
- Add fresh strawberries: Sprinkle the diced fresh strawberries uniformly over the layer of strawberry jam.
- Create topping: Stir together the shredded coconut and the reserved crumb mixture, then sprinkle this mixture over the strawberries, covering them partially.
- Bake the assembled bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes, or until the shredded coconut is lightly browned and the strawberries are bubbling.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely, about 1 hour, before cutting into 16 bars and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is fully melted but not hot to prevent cooking the dry ingredients prematurely.
- Press the crust firmly and evenly for a sturdy base that holds the filling well.
- Allow bars to cool completely to ensure clean cutting and optimal texture.
- You can substitute fresh blueberries or raspberries for the strawberries as a variation.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
