Description
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars feature a delightful blend of fresh, juicy strawberries nestled within a hearty oat and flour crust, enhanced with a touch of cinnamon and vanilla. These bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors, making them an ideal treat for berry season or any time you crave a wholesome, homemade dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
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 corn starch
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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by spraying it generously with nonstick spray to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
- Prepare Strawberry Filling: In a large bowl, combine the diced strawberries, ⅔ cup granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stir gently until the strawberries are fully coated and the mixture starts to thicken slightly. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Make the Crust and Topping Dough: In another large mixing bowl, blend together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, ⅔ cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the softened unsalted butter and vanilla extract. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs and the dough holds together when pressed.
- Assemble the Bars: Press about two-thirds of the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Spread the strawberry filling evenly over the crust layer. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly over the strawberry layer as a crumbly topping.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the strawberry filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice into 20 bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Notes
- Make sure to use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Room temperature butter helps create a crumbly, tender crust and topping.
- Allow the bars to cool fully before slicing to prevent the filling from oozing out.
- These bars can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated depending on how soon you plan to consume them.
- For a nutty twist, consider adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the oat mixture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 216 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 61 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 21 mg
