I helped my friend to tidy her walking pantry, which is a typical room in any large USA kitchen, and whilst doing this, we found a large number unopened jams of all kinds, We decided that it was time to use some of it and look round the internet for a recipe using a decent amount of jam.
We decided to bake the Jam Bars with Oat Crumble from Striped Spatula as it looked interesting and uses quite a lot of jam in between the two layers of biscuit and crumble. This would be perfect for as a Mother’s Day dessert.
The description online was “with a crust, a layer of fruit preserves, and a buttery crumb topping, these bakery-style Jam Bars are an easy and impressive dessert”.
Ingredients for the base
2 cups of plain flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon of salt (I used salted butter so I did not add the salt)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup butter (170g) cold butter cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons of milk
1 and a 1/2 cup of quality jam or fruit preserve
For the crumble topping
1 + 1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 cup of light brown sugar
1/4 cup of white sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt (I used salted butter so I did not add the salt)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup of rolled oats (not quick cooking)
3/4 cup butter (170g) cold butter cut into small pieces
Instructions
1. Preheat the over at 190C, line a baking pan (I forgot to do this) a 13x9x2 inch baking pan
For the Base
1. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Using a pastry blender, a fork, or two knives, cut butter into the flour mixture until it appears sandy and forms fine crumbs (I use the old fashioned method and rub the flour and butter by hand)
2. Pour the milk into the flour mixture and combine until moistened throughout. Mixture will remain crumbly, do not over work the dough
3. Press into the prepared pan in an even layer. Bake 12-15 minutes, until the centre is just set and the edges are just beginning to turn light brown. Remove from the oven to assemble the bars and leave the oven on.
For the Oat Crumble Topping
1. While the base is baking, mix together flour, light brown and white sugars, salt, baking powder cinnamon and oats. Using the same process you did for the crust cut the butter into the mixture until crumbly.
To Assemble The Bars
1. Speed preserves over hot crust layer. Sprinkle crumble topping in an even layer over preserves (the crumble layer will be thick).
2. Rerun to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the crumble is light golden brown. Let stand at room temperature in the baking pan until completely cooled.
3. Dust with icing sugar, slice into bars and serve
Recipe by: Brigitte Kershaw
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24 comments
These bars sound really fun – we get a lot of pre-made bars but should really be making our own. Thank you for your recipe.
You are welcome and hope you give this a try
Your blog always inspires me to try new recipes and explore different flavours 🙂 Your Jam Bars with Oat Crumble Topping recipe looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it out. Thanks for sharing your delicious creations!
You are welcome and thank you for your kind words
I have a real craving for something like this, so will definitely be trying these. This is something I would buy but have never made
Exactly, so here’s a recipe you can try and make it at home
These sound really tasty, they kind of remind me of a fruity kind of breakfast bar. I need more snacks for during the day that aren’t chocolate so I may need to try these x
Yes and why not, it has 3 layers of different textures as well
This sounds just what I need for our rainy weather in Italy. I never tried jam bars but this recipe looks nice and one I can make for the family.
Yes indeed, especially if you have a few bottles of unused jam in the cupboard
I love that these could be a dessert or a sweet breakfast. I’ll probably use them for both. They look so good!
Agree, sometimes we need that, and yes they look so pretty as well
I love the idea of making these at home! They look delicious! Definitely going to have to try the recipe out sometime.
Thank you for sharing that Adriana
I can almost taste the perfect balance of flavours and textures in these bars! Can’t wait to make them
How lovely Sue, hope you do make these and let us know how it goes
Oh these bars sound delightful! What a fun treat to make and have on hand for midafternoon snacks or a quick breakfast on the go!
Absolutely or when family and friends come over
These bars must be absolutely delightful! I love jam and I love oats and I have no doubt that they go well together! The recipe looks easy enough, even for someone like me so I am excited to give it a try! Thank you for sharing.
Yes quite easy to make and looks well presented when but into squares
These jam bars certainly do sound like a great way to use up jam. They look like they would be really tasty. I do love things with oats they add a great texture to these sort of desserts. I’d be enjoying this wilt ice cream or custard.
Great as party desserts when you are having friends over
Your blog is a treasure trove for home-made recipes. Love your content. And these jam bars with crumble topping look divine. Will try them at home soon.
Thank you so much, so glad you like my jam bars with oat crumble topping