I have a reputation for showing up to our hunting camps loaded down with cookies and bars. Now we have our old favorites but I have so many new recipes to try, I try to limit repeats. However, after making these strawberry oatmeal bars from the Pioneer Woman once, I knew they were going to be an exception to my rule.
I’ve made them two years in a row for hunting trips (unheard of!) and I’ll be making them in a couple weeks as we head up to Ely for a weekend of projects at our hunting land. These bars are seriously addicting. The oatmeal crust is crunchy and caramelized and the fruity strawberry preserves in the middle brings it all together. You could of course use any kind of preserves you wanted to change it up.
They’re really easy to make and there is no mixer required. Here’s what you need:
Mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Then cut the butter into the oatmeal mixture with a pastry cutter.
Mix until it resembles coarse crumbs, like this.
Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray. Pat in half of the mixture.
Now for the strawberry jam. Place dollops of jam all around the crust and then spread evenly.
Gently pat down the remaining crust mixture over the jam.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 35-40 minutes until it looks like this. I like going to a nice dark golden brown on these bars – the butter and brown sugar will begin to caramelize and take the flavor over the top.
Warning: Hide from your father and uncle if you want to have any for yourself!
- 1-3/4 stick cold butter, cut into pieces
- 1 c flour
- ½ c white whole wheat flour
- 1-1/2 c oats – I used quick 1 minute oats
- 1 c packed brown sugar
- 1 t baking powder
- ¼ t salt
- 1 jar (10-12 oz) strawberry preserves
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Mix together the flours, sugar, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the oat mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle half of the mixture into the pan and pack tightly. Spoon dollops of the strawberry preserves around the crust and spread evenly with a knife. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the top and pat down lightly.
- Bake 35-40 minutes until golden brown on the top.
- Cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
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