Description
Sweet strawberry oatmeal crumble bars blend homemade comfort with summer’s freshest flavors. Buttery oat layers sandwich luscious strawberry filling, creating a delightful dessert that welcomes warm memories and simple pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Topping:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, diced
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Base Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Binding Ingredient:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by lining an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal. Warm the oven to a precise 350°F (175°C).
- Craft the foundational oat mixture by combining rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a spacious mixing bowl. Introduce melted butter and blend until the ingredients transform into a delicate, sandy consistency.
- Compress two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the prepared pan, creating a sturdy, even base that will support the fruity layer.
- Generate the vibrant strawberry compote by combining fresh strawberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, continuously stirring until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Allow the strawberry mixture to cool slightly, then distribute it uniformly across the oat foundation, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Scatter the remaining oat mixture delicately over the strawberry layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and bubbling edges that indicate perfect doneness.
- Remove from the oven and permit the bars to cool completely within the pan, allowing the layers to set and flavors to meld.
- Once cooled, lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper, slice into precise squares, and serve. Optional: Complement with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent touch.
Notes
- Adjust fruit sweetness by selecting ripe, in-season strawberries for natural sugar content and vibrant flavor.
- Choose quick-cooking oats for smoother texture, ensuring consistent crumble consistency without large oat chunks.
- Prevent soggy bottom by fully pre-baking the crust for 10-15 minutes before adding strawberry filling, creating a crisp foundation.
- Customize dietary needs by substituting gluten-free flour blend and using coconut oil instead of butter for vegan-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg