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Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

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4 from 13 reviews

Delicious homemade Strawberry Oatmeal Bars featuring a sweet and tangy strawberry filling nestled between a buttery oat crust and crumbly topping. Perfect for a snack, dessert, or breakfast treat, these bars boast a balance of fresh fruit, cinnamon-spiced oats, and a tender crumb that’s sure to please any crowd.

Ingredients

Filling

  • 4 cups whole strawberries (washed, hulled and diced)
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • Juice from half of a lemon (about 1 ½ tablespoons)
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch

Crust and Topping

  • 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • 14 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking and set aside.
  2. Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the diced strawberries and ⅔ cup granulated sugar. Stir them together and let sit for 10 minutes to macerate and release juices. After 10 minutes, add lemon juice and cornstarch to the mixture and stir thoroughly until combined, ensuring the filling will thicken as it bakes.
  3. Prepare the Crust and Topping: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, ⅔ cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, room temperature butter, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until the butter is evenly incorporated and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs or a coarse meal texture.
  4. Assemble the Bars: Press about two-thirds of the oat crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating an even layer. Spread the strawberry filling evenly over the pressed crust layer. Next, sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the strawberry filling. To create a crumbly topping, gently squeeze some of the topping mixture together into clumps as you sprinkle it over the fruit layer.
  5. Bake: Bake the assembled bars in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly and set.
  6. Cool and Serve: Remove the baking pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This cooling step ensures the filling sets properly for clean slices.

Notes

  • Using room temperature butter helps achieve the perfect crumbly texture for the crust and topping.
  • Allowing the strawberry mixture to sit before baking helps the fruit release juices and enhances the flavor.
  • Make sure to cool the bars fully before cutting to prevent the filling from oozing.
  • Old fashioned rolled oats provide better texture compared to quick oats.
  • For more tartness, use slightly more lemon juice to balance the sweetness.

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