Strawberry Oat Bars

Hi there.

I'm here, because Baby Bear's not.

He's apparently thrilled with his current (cramped) quarters and not interested in coming out to play.

Yet.

So I baked these bars for entertainment.

It was my way of saying thank you to my mom for keeping me sane this week while we wait on the babe.

I love these preserves.  They totally look like I made them. Except that my name's not Bonne Maman. 

I'm not sure she's forgiven me yet.  For the bars, that is.

They're like a dessert.  Or a snack.  Or breakfast.  Duh, because they contain oats!  Anything containing oats qualifies as a legit breakfast.

Of course, you have to take that breakfast comment with a grain of salt.  Because I've already confessed my low-class habit of eating cake for breakfast.

Whatever you want to call them, they're killer.

It's Pioneer Woman's recipe.  I made a couple of slight changes to it.  I baked it in a smaller pan so they're thicker and chewier (they're less crispy this way) and I soften the butter so that it's easier to mix.

These bars are SO GOOD.  They're like a strawberry granola bar.  Except they're homemade.  And just really yummy.  And they contain real butter.  And real, old-fashioned oats.  Because old-fashioned ones make for great texture.

Speaking of, I need to stock up on butter.  Because I get nervous if I have less than two pounds of butter in my freezer.  And one in the fridge.

That's just how I roll.

Strawberry Oat Bars
Slightly Adapted from Pioneer Woman

1 1/2 sticks butter, softened or melted
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
13 oz. jar strawberry preserves

In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine all ingredients except the strawberry preserves.  Combine until crumbly.

Pat half of the mixture into a 7x11 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray (you could also line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal).  Spread the preserves on top (an off-set spatula works great for this).

Using your hands, crumble the remaining oat mixture and sprinkle it on top.  Use your hands to press it lightly into the preserves.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes.  You want these to be set but not brown or crispy yet.

Cool to room temperature and cut into bars to serve.