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Oatmeal Jam Bars Recipe

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4.2 from 7 reviews

Delicious and chewy Oatmeal Jam Bars featuring a buttery oat-based crust and crumbly topping with a generous layer of your favorite jam in the middle. This easy-to-make dessert combines the wholesome texture of oats with sweet preserves, perfect for snack time or a simple treat.

Ingredients

Base & Topping

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

Filling

  • ¾ cup (250g) jam or preserves (any flavor you prefer)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: 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 later. Lightly spray the lined pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until fully combined and smooth. Then sprinkle the flour evenly over the mixture, add the oats, salt, and baking soda. Stir everything together using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
  3. Separate Dough for Topping: Remove about ¾ cup of the dough (a little less than half) and chill it in the refrigerator — this will be used as the crumbly topping later. Press the remaining dough evenly and firmly into the prepared baking pan to form the cookie base. The dough will be buttery and soft, so ensure it’s pressed down firmly.
  4. Bake the Base: Bake the base layer for 10 minutes until it’s set but not browned. This creates a sturdy foundation for the jam layer.
  5. Add Jam and Topping: Remove the pan from the oven and carefully spread the jam evenly over the warm cookie base. Take the chilled dough from the refrigerator and crumble it over the jam layer to create a crumbly topping.
  6. Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15-18 minutes. The topping will turn a light golden brown. The bars may appear slightly wobbly when fresh out of the oven but will firm up as they cool.
  7. Cool and Serve: Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the bars cool completely before lifting them out using the foil or parchment overhang. These bars are soft at room temperature and firmer if refrigerated.

Notes

  • You can use any jam or preserves you like — strawberry, raspberry, apricot, or even marmalade work well.
  • For easier removal, ensure to leave enough foil or parchment paper overhang on two sides of the pan before greasing.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer shelf life.
  • These bars are best consumed within a week for optimal freshness.
  • All-purpose flour can be substituted with gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version; however, texture may differ slightly.

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