Description
Delight in these delicious Strawberry Crumble Bars featuring a buttery oat crust topped with sweet strawberry preserves and a light powdered sugar drizzle. Perfect as a fruity dessert or a sweet snack, these bars offer a perfect balance of crumble texture and vibrant strawberry flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup butter, melted (1 stick)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Filling and Glaze
- 1 cup strawberry preserves
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the bars evenly.
- Prepare Crust Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Then add the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, and salt, stirring until all ingredients are well incorporated to form a crumbly dough.
- Form Base Layer: Divide the mixture in half. Take the first half and press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of an 8×8 inch baking pan. For easy removal, spray the pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper overlapping the edges.
- Add Strawberry Filling: Spread the strawberry preserves evenly over the pressed crust, covering all the way to the edges to achieve a full, flavorful layer.
- Add Crumble Topping: Using your hands, break up the remaining dough into large crumbles and sprinkle these gently and evenly over the strawberry preserve layer.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the center has just set, indicating the bars are cooked through but still moist.
- Prepare Glaze: Once the bars are completely cooled, mix together the powdered sugar and milk until you achieve a thick yet runny glaze consistency.
- Drizzle and Serve: Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled bars, then cut into 12 squares. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use parchment paper to line the baking pan for easy removal and cleaner cuts.
- Old-fashioned oats are preferred for texture but quick oats can be substituted if needed.
- Ensure the bars are fully cooled before adding the glaze to prevent melting and running.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free oats and flour blend.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: strawberry crumble bars, berry dessert, oat crumble bars, homemade fruit bars, easy baking recipe
