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Transform your kitchen into a cozy bakery with these irresistible Strawberry Oat Crumb Bars. These bars strike the perfect balance between buttery crumbs and sweet, jammy strawberry filling, creating a dessert that's both comforting and elegant. With just four main ingredients, this recipe proves that sometimes simplicity yields the most delightful results.
I've made these bars countless times for family gatherings, and they're always the first dessert to disappear. My grandson particularly loves helping press the crumb mixture into the pan, making it a wonderful recipe for cooking with kids.
Essential Ingredients and Selection Tips
- Yellow Cake Mix: Forms the base of our crumb mixture; choose a quality brand for best results
- Quick-Cooking Oats: Adds wonderful texture and nutty flavor; don't substitute with old-fashioned oats as they'll be too chewy
- Butter: Use unsalted butter, melted but not hot; this binds everything together
- Strawberry Preserves: Opt for thick, fruit-rich preserves rather than thin jelly for the best filling
- Water: Just a tablespoon to help spread the preserves easily
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F and line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment.
- Step 2:
- Combine cake mix and oats in a large bowl until well mixed.
- Step 3:
- Pour in melted butter and stir until mixture becomes crumbly.
- Step 4:
- Press half the crumb mixture firmly into your prepared pan.
- Step 5:
- Mix preserves with water until smooth.
- Step 6:
- Spread preserve mixture evenly over the base layer.
- Step 7:
- Top with remaining crumbs and gently press down.
- Step 8:
- Bake for 18-23 minutes until lightly golden.
My mother-in-law introduced me to the magic of adding oats to crumb bars, and I've never looked back. The nutty flavor and heartier texture make these bars feel more substantial and satisfying than traditional cookie bars.
Storage and Serving Suggestions
These bars taste amazing warm with vanilla ice cream or at room temperature with afternoon tea. Store them in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. They'll keep fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
After years of baking these bars, I can confidently say they're one of the most foolproof and rewarding desserts in my recipe collection. The combination of buttery crumbs and sweet strawberry preserves creates something truly special that brings people together around the kitchen table.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use a different flavor of preserves?
- Yes, any flavor of preserves can be substituted to suit your preference.
- → Can I store these bars?
- Yes, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- → What kind of oats should I use?
- Quick-cooking oats work best for this recipe as they blend well with the cake mix.
- → Can I serve these cold?
- Yes, they taste great cold, but you can also warm them up before serving.
- → How do I cut them neatly?
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices.