Berry Oat Crumble Bars
These Berry Oat Crumble Bars are the perfect sweet and chewy snack for any occasion! Ideal for busy workdays, delightful in lunchboxes, make-ahead for potlucks, or the star of your next bake sale, these bars are a delicious twist on the classic Nutra Grain bars. With a luscious layer of fruity preserves and an oatmeal crumble topping, they're a treat the whole family will love. Freeze them for a quick grab-and-go option; they thaw beautifully and taste just as fresh as when you made them. Plus, feel free to customize with different flavors of preserves, like blueberry or apricot, to suit your taste. Your kids won't even miss the store-bought kind!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Yellow cake mix
1 (18 ounce) box (none)
Quick-cooking oatmeal
2 1/2 cups (none)
Brown sugar
1/2 cup (packed)
Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Melted butter
1/4 cup (melted)
Melted butter (or vegetable oil)
2 tablespoons (melted)
Large egg
1 (slightly beaten)
Lemon juice
2 teaspoons (none)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (none)
Strawberry preserves
2 cups (or raspberry, warmed for easier spreading)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the oven rack to the second-bottom position.
2
Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, quick-cooking oatmeal, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Mix well using a spatula or wooden spoon.
4
In a small bowl, whisk together the slightly beaten egg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
5
Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients, then add 1/4 cup of melted butter and 2 tablespoons of melted butter (or vegetable oil). Stir until the mixture begins to clump and is well combined using your fingers if necessary.
6
Press a little more than half of the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the greased baking dish to form a crust.
7
Evenly spoon the strawberry or raspberry preserves over the crust, spreading it out gently to cover.
8
Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top of the preserves and lightly pat it down to ensure it holds together.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the top is lightly golden brown.
10
Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the dish. For easier cutting, consider semi-freezing the bars before slicing them into squares or rectangles.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Berry Oat Crumble Bars?
Berry Oat Crumble Bars are sweet and chewy snacks made with a yellow cake mix and oatmeal base, featuring a layer of fruit preserves and a crumble topping.
What flavor of preserves should I use?
The recipe suggests strawberry or raspberry preserves, but you can customize them with other flavors like blueberry or apricot.
Can I freeze Berry Oat Crumble Bars?
Yes, these bars freeze beautifully and make for a great grab-and-go snack option.
How long do these bars need to bake?
They should be baked for about 20 minutes in a preheated oven.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
Where should the oven rack be positioned?
Position the oven rack to the second-bottom position for even baking.
What size baking dish is required?
You will need a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
How do I prepare the baking dish?
Grease the baking dish with cooking spray or butter before adding the ingredients.
What kind of oats are used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for 2 1/2 cups of quick-cooking oatmeal.
What type of cake mix is needed?
You should use one 18-ounce box of yellow cake mix.
Do I need to whisk the egg?
Yes, the egg should be slightly beaten before being combined with the lemon juice and vanilla extract.
Is there a trick to cutting the bars into clean squares?
Allow the bars to cool completely, then consider semi-freezing them before slicing to make cutting easier.
Are these bars kid-friendly?
Yes, they are described as a treat the whole family will love and a great alternative to store-bought Nutra Grain bars.
Can I use oil instead of butter?
The recipe allows for the use of either 2 tablespoons of melted butter or vegetable oil in the mixture.
How much brown sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar.
Should the preserves be warmed?
Warming the preserves is recommended as it makes them easier to spread evenly over the crust.
What ingredients make up the dry mixture?
The dry mixture consists of yellow cake mix, quick-cooking oatmeal, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
What wet ingredients are whisked together separately?
The slightly beaten egg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract are whisked together in a small bowl.
How much of the mixture goes on the bottom?
Press a little more than half of the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the dish to form the crust.
How do I know when the bars are finished baking?
The bars are done when the top is lightly golden brown.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, they are ideal for make-ahead snacks, potlucks, and lunchboxes.
What gives the bars their flavor?
The flavor comes from a combination of vanilla, cinnamon, lemon juice, and the fruity preserves.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients required for these Berry Oat Crumble Bars.
Is vanilla extract used in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
What is the role of lemon juice?
Two teaspoons of lemon juice are whisked with the egg and vanilla to add a touch of acidity and brightness.
Can I use a spatula to mix the ingredients?
Yes, you can use a spatula or wooden spoon, and your fingers if necessary to help the mixture clump.
Are these bars suitable for a bake sale?
Absolutely, they are highlighted as a star option for bake sales.
How much cinnamon is used?
The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Do I need to cool the bars before eating?
Yes, you should allow the bars to cool completely in the dish before slicing.
Can I use apricot jam?
Yes, apricot is explicitly mentioned as a great flavor variation for the preserves.