Fruit Oat Nut Crumble Bars

Jam Jars

 

I usually have dibs and dabs of leftover jellies, jams and preserves in the bottom of jars in my fridge.  This is a great way to make a quick dessert bar using pantry staples and leftover bits.  Add in any nut you happen to have, but be sure and toast them first.  Add in chocolate, coconut, chopped dried fruit, or any little bits of leftover candy bars, granola or toffee bits you may have.  We love them with a Bluebell cup!

 

Fruit Oat Nut Crumble Bars

Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Brunch
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • 8x8 pan, parchment and cooking spray, mixer

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup oats
  • 1 cup nuts chopped and toasted
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Baker's Sprinkles or your favorite baking spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger
  • 1 teaspoon coarse decorator sugar
  • 16 tablespoons butter softened
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 cup fruit preserves

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350º and spray an 8x8 baking pan with cooking spray.  Line with parchment paper, leaving a 1" border edge all around to aid in lifting bars out of pan.  Spray parchment paper.
  •  Place flour, brown sugar, sugar, oats, nuts, salt and spices (excluding coarse sugar) in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.  Whisk to blend.  Add in butter and egg and mix at low speed until smooth and blended.  Mixture will resemble coarse crumbs.    Remove 2 cups of the mixture and set aside.  Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan.  Spread preserves over mixture in pan. Crumble reserved mixture over preserves. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.  
  • .  Bake until lightly browned, about 40 minutes. Cool in pan for about 20 minutes and then lift bars out using parchment paper.  Place bars on a wire rack and cool completely before cutting into bars. 

Notes

Any kind of leftover preserves or combination of preserves works well.  You can also sprinkle in a layer of chocolate chips, coconut, toffee/heath bits or dried fruit in the center on top of the preserves.   
Keyword fruit bars, crumble topping, leftover jam recipes, bars with ice cream