Fresh Strawberry Bars Recipe

Introduction

These fresh strawberry bars combine a buttery oat base with a sweet, juicy strawberry filling for a delightful treat. Perfect for a snack or dessert, they balance texture and flavor beautifully. With a crumble topping, they’re sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 125 g / 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
• 1½ cups / 225 g plain flour (all purpose flour)
• 1½ cups / 135 g rolled oats (traditional oats, not quick, instant or steel cut)
• ½ cup / 110 g brown sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup strawberry jam
• 2 cups chopped strawberries (about 375 g)
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• 2 tsp cornflour / cornstarch

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) fan forced.
2. Step 2: Spray a 20 cm (9″) square tin with oil and line it with baking or parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal later.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the melted butter and egg, then stir until combined.
4. Step 4: Set aside 1 cup of the mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the base of the prepared tin.
5. Step 5: In another bowl, combine the chopped strawberries, white sugar, and cornflour. Mix gently. Avoid preparing this too early to prevent the strawberries from becoming watery.
6. Step 6: Spread the strawberry jam evenly over the oat base, then scatter the strawberry mixture on top. Finally, crumble the reserved oat mixture over the strawberries by hand.
7. Step 7: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the topping is deep golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes in the tin before using the baking paper overhang to lift it out. It may sag slightly but will set as it cools.
8. Step 8: Once cooled, cut into squares and serve at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh, firm strawberries for the best texture and flavor in the filling.
• Try substituting the strawberry jam with raspberry or apricot jam for a different twist.
• If you prefer a crunchier oat base, bake the base alone for 8-10 minutes before adding the jam and strawberries.
• For a gluten-free version, replace plain flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If it’s warm, keep them refrigerated to maintain freshness for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or enjoy chilled.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

While fresh strawberries give the best texture, you can use frozen. Thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture making the bars soggy.

Can I make these bars vegan?

You can substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine and replace the egg with a flax or chia egg to make the recipe vegan-friendly.

Fresh Strawberry Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 64 reviews

• Author: Sophie
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars (approximately 4×4 squares) 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Fresh Strawberry Bars feature a buttery oat and flour base topped with a luscious layer of strawberry jam and fresh strawberry chunks. Baked to a golden perfection, they offer a deliciously crumbly texture with a sweet and slightly tangy fresh fruit filling, perfect for a summertime treat or an anytime snack.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base and Topping

• 125 g / 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
• 1½ cups / 225 g plain flour (all purpose flour)
• 1½ cups / 135 g rolled oats (traditional oats, not quick, instant or steel cut)
• ½ cup / 110 g brown sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 egg

Filling

• 2/3 cup strawberry jam
• 2 cups chopped strawberries (about 375 g)
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• 2 tsp cornflour / cornstarch

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) fan-forced to ensure even heat distribution for baking.
2. Prepare Baking Tin: Spray a 20cm (9 inch) square baking tin with oil, then line it with baking or parchment paper, leaving an overhang to easily lift the bars out after baking.
3. Make Base Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the plain flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Add the melted butter and egg, and mix everything together until evenly combined into a crumbly dough.
4. Separate Mixture for Topping: Reserve 1 cup of this mixture for the topping and set it aside. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the prepared tin to form a compact base layer.
5. Prepare Strawberry Filling: In a separate bowl, gently mix the chopped strawberries with white sugar and cornflour. Do this just before assembling to prevent the strawberries from releasing too much liquid.
6. Assemble Bars: Spread the strawberry jam evenly over the base layer in the tin. Next, scatter the strawberry mixture over the jam layer. Finally, crumble the reserved oat mixture evenly on top using your hands to create a crumbly topping.
7. Bake: Place the tin in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the topping turns a deep golden brown. The filling will bubble slightly and the top will be nicely crisp.
8. Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes. Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang. Note that the bars will be soft initially but will firm up as they cool. Cut into squares and serve at room temperature.
9. Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate if it’s particularly warm to maintain freshness.

Notes

• Use traditional rolled oats rather than quick or instant to keep the topping texture crumbly and hearty.
• Do not prepare the strawberry mixture too far in advance to avoid the filling becoming watery.
• The bars will be soft when warm and might sag, but they will set nicely after cooling.
• The parchment paper lining with overhang is essential for easy removal from the baking tin.
• If you prefer a less sweet bar, reduce the jam or sugar in the filling slightly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dessert, Snack, Bars
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American, Australian

Keywords: strawberry bars, oat bars, fresh strawberry dessert, baked bars, snack bars, berry dessert