Strawberry Oat Bars – SHK

On the lookout for the proper spring dessert or a candy afternoon snack? These Strawberry Oat Bars are the final word crowd-pleaser. That includes a buttery oat crust, a vibrant lemon-kissed strawberry filling, and a crunchy almond topping, they’re extremely simple to make and even tougher to cease consuming. Whether or not you’re utilizing up a recent berry haul or in search of a kid-friendly baking challenge, these bars are a staple recipe you’ll come again to time and again.

Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Bars:

• Contemporary & Zesty: The lemon zest makes the recent strawberries pop.
• Excellent Texture: A mixture of chewy rolled oats and crunchy sliced almonds.
• Make-Forward Pleasant: They keep scrumptious within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
• Versatile: Serve them as a dessert with vanilla ice cream or a cheeky breakfast deal with.

Professional Ideas for Success:

• Chilly Butter vs. Room Temp: For the very best “crumble” texture, use chilly, cubed butter. If the butter is simply too smooth, the crust might be extra like a cookie and fewer like a shortbread.
• Don’t Skimp on the Press: When forming the underside layer, press down firmly. Use the underside of a measuring cup to get a flat, compressed base so the bars don’t crumble once you decide them up.
• Zest Greatest: At all times zest the lemon earlier than juicing it (in the event you plan to make use of the juice for one thing else). Solely zest the yellow half; the white pith beneath is bitter.

Substitutions:

Contemporary Strawberries: Use frozen strawberries (thaw and drain extra liquid first) and even raspberries/blueberries.

All-Goal Flour: Use a 1:1 Gluten-Free flour mix or entire wheat pastry flour.

Outdated Customary Oats: Fast oats work in a pinch, however the texture might be much less chewy. Keep away from steel-cut oats.

Brown Sugar: Coconut sugar or further granulated sugar works properly.

Sliced Almonds: Swap for chopped pecans, walnuts, or shredded coconut—or omit completely for a nut-free model.

Butter: For a vegan model, use a agency vegan butter stick or chilled coconut oil (stable state).

Regularly Requested Questions

Can I take advantage of strawberry jam as a substitute of recent fruit?

Sure! In case you are brief on recent berries, you’ll be able to unfold about 1 cup of high-quality strawberry preserves over the bottom. Skip the cornstarch and additional sugar if utilizing jam, because it’s already thickened and sweetened.

Why are my bars falling aside?

The most typical perpetrator is reducing them whereas they’re nonetheless heat. The fruit filling wants time to “set,” and the butter within the crust must agency up. Allow them to cool for a minimum of 1–2 hours.

Can I freeze these bars?

Completely. Wrap particular person squares in plastic wrap and retailer them in a freezer-safe bag for as much as 3 months. Thaw within the fridge in a single day or at room temperature for half-hour.

How do I get clear slices?

For “bakery-style” clear edges, line your pan with parchment paper in order that it hangs over the perimeters (making a “sling”). As soon as the bars are fully chilly, carry the entire block out onto a reducing board and use a protracted, sharp knife to slice in a single clear movement.

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