Oatmeal Jam Bars: Simple & Delicious

Indulge in the delightful simplicity of these buttery Oatmeal Jam Bars. This recipe promises an effortless baking experience, resulting in a sweet treat that’s always a crowd-pleaser. Imagine two layers of rich, chewy oatmeal cookie dough, perfectly sandwiching a vibrant, fruity jam filling. It’s a combination that’s both comforting and exciting, making these jam bars an instant classic in any household.

If you find yourself with extra jam, don’t let it go to waste! Explore other fantastic recipes like these Costco Raspberry Crumble Cookies or the incredibly popular Raspberry Bars for more fruity dessert inspiration.

Author’s Note

Cookie Crust + Jam Center = Dessert Perfection!

There’s something truly magical about a dessert bar that combines a tender, flavorful crust with a luscious, fruity filling. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting our practically famous Carmelitas, you already understand the irresistible allure of a well-crafted oatmeal cookie bar. The genius lies in sandwiching a delightful filling between two layers of that wholesome, buttery oat goodness, elevating a simple cookie to a whole new level of indulgence.

While Carmelitas feature a decadent caramel and chocolate center, these Oatmeal Jam Bars take a different, equally enchanting path. Here, we embrace the natural sweetness and vibrant flavor of fruit, by adding a generous, thick layer of your favorite jam. This creates a beautifully balanced treat – sweet, tangy, and wonderfully textured.

I typically find myself drawn to rich, chocolatey desserts (who can resist a classic Chocolate Cake!), whereas my husband always gravitates towards bright, fruity creations. However, these oatmeal jam bars are the rare exception that brings us both together. They strike that perfect balance, making them our go-to choice when we’re craving a sweet, satisfying treat that absolutely everyone agrees on. They are simply delicious!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Oatmeal Jam Bars

Crafting the perfect Oatmeal Jam Bars starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that ideal texture and flavor profile. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each choice matters:

• Unsalted Butter: The foundation of our buttery crust. It’s crucial to melt the butter, but then allow it to cool to room temperature before incorporating it into the dough. This simple step prevents your bars from becoming overly greasy and ensures a wonderfully tender, not heavy, crumb.
• Light Brown Sugar: This isn’t just for sweetness; brown sugar contributes significantly to the chewy texture and deep, molasses-like flavor of the oatmeal cookie layers. Remember to measure it lightly packed, rather than firmly pressed, for an accurate and balanced sweetness.
• Old-Fashioned Oats: The heart of these “Oatmeal” Jam Bars! For the best chewy texture and rustic appeal, always opt for old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick oats will result in a much softer, almost mushy texture, losing the signature bite that makes these bars so satisfying.
• Salt and Baking Soda: These leavening agents and flavor enhancers are essential. Salt balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors, while baking soda helps the bars rise slightly and contributes to their tender crumb. Always ensure your baking soda is fresh for optimal results; you can test its freshness by mixing a small amount with a bit of vinegar—it should fizz vigorously.
• Seedless Blackberry Jam (or Your Favorite Flavor!): This is where the “Jam” in Oatmeal Jam Bars shines! While seedless blackberry jam offers a smooth, rich filling with a delightful tang, the beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Feel free to experiment with any jam flavor you love—raspberry, strawberry, apricot, or even a mixed berry blend. If you prefer a completely smooth filling, seedless jam is the way to go, but if you don’t mind a few seeds, regular jam works just as beautifully.

Crafting Your Own Oatmeal Jam Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide

These Oatmeal Jam Bars are surprisingly simple to assemble, making them a perfect project for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these detailed steps to create a batch of irresistibly sweet and chewy bars:

1. Prepare Your Workspace and Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan. Lining the pan with parchment paper is a crucial step for effortless removal of your baked bars. Make sure to leave a slight overhang on two sides; this creates convenient “handles” to lift the cooled bars out of the pan with ease.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients for the Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine your cooled melted butter with the light brown sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients vigorously until they are completely smooth and well-integrated. It might take a moment for the sugar to fully dissolve into the butter, but keep whisking until you achieve a uniform, creamy mixture. Cooling the butter slightly is key here to prevent the mixture from separating and creating an oily texture in the final product.
3. Integrate Dry Ingredients to Form the Dough: To the wet mixture, add the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats (remember, no quick oats!), salt, and baking soda. Using a sturdy wooden spoon or a spatula, mix until a thick, cohesive dough forms. The dough will be crumbly yet firm enough to press. Take just over half of this delightful oat dough and press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared 8×8-inch pan. This will form the sturdy, chewy base of your jam bars.
4. Pre-Bake the Base: Place the pan with the pressed dough into your preheated oven and bake for a short period of 8 minutes. This initial bake helps to set the base, ensuring it holds its shape and provides a solid foundation for the jam layer without becoming soggy. Once baked, carefully remove the pan from the oven.
5. Layer in the Luscious Jam: Now for the star of the show – the jam! Carefully spread your chosen jam flavor over the pre-baked oatmeal base. Use a spoon or an offset spatula to distribute it evenly. It’s important to leave a small border, about a quarter-inch, around the edges of the pan. This prevents the jam from bubbling over and potentially burning during the final bake, which can lead to a sticky mess and bitter flavor. Be gentle as you spread, avoiding pressing too hard into the warm base.
6. Add the Crumbly Topping and Final Bake: Crumble the remaining oat dough mixture evenly over the jam layer. You don’t need to press this topping down; simply sprinkling it creates a beautiful, rustic, and crumbly finish. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for an additional 13 to 18 minutes, or until the top layer is lightly golden brown and the edges appear set. The exact baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on it towards the end.
7. Cool for Perfection: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely at room temperature. This cooling period is absolutely essential! The bars will firm up significantly as they cool, making them much easier to cut into neat, delicious squares. Resist the urge to cut them warm, as they will likely be too soft and fall apart. Allow at least 2 hours, or even longer, for optimal setting.

Expert Tips for Oatmeal Jam Bar Success

Achieving the perfect Oatmeal Jam Bar is straightforward, but a few insider tips can elevate your baking game and ensure consistently delicious results every time. Pay attention to these details for a truly remarkable batch:

• Choosing the Right Pan Size: For bars with the ideal thickness and chewiness, an 8×8-inch baking pan is highly recommended. Using a 9×9-inch pan will spread the dough thinner, resulting in a less substantial and potentially drier bar. While doubling the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan *should* work, it hasn’t been personally tested, so monitor baking times closely if you attempt this.
• Always Line Your Pan: This tip cannot be stressed enough! Always line your baking pan with parchment paper. Ensure there’s enough overhang on two sides to act as “handles.” This simple step makes lifting the entire batch of cooled bars out of the pan incredibly easy, preventing sticking and ensuring clean, beautiful cuts.
• Thorough Mixing of Wet Ingredients: When combining the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla, take your time to mix them thoroughly until completely smooth. A well-emulsified mixture here is crucial for preventing greasy bars and contributes to the overall tender texture of the oatmeal cookie layers.
• Mind the Jam Layer Border: As you spread the jam over the pre-baked base, remember to leave a small border (approximately 1/4 inch) around the edges. This precaution is vital to prevent the jam from bubbling over and caramelizing excessively, which can lead to burnt spots and a sticky mess on your pan.
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaking is a common pitfall that can lead to dry, hard bars. Keep a close watch on your oven. The bars are perfectly done when the edges appear lightly golden brown and the top crumbly layer looks set. The center may still seem slightly soft, but it will firm up considerably as it cools.
• Cooling is Crucial: Patience is a virtue, especially with these bars! Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack for at least two hours before attempting to cut them. Warm bars will be too soft and prone to crumbling. As they cool, the butter solidifies, and the jam sets, making for clean, neat slices.
• Flavor Variations: Don’t limit yourself to one type of jam! Experiment with different fruit preserves like apricot, raspberry, strawberry, or even orange marmalade for a unique twist. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the oat dough for extra warmth.

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★★★★★ 4.91 from 20 votes

Oatmeal Jam Bars

By
Chelsea Lords

These buttery Oatmeal Jam Bars are an easy, crowd-pleasing treat! A soft oatmeal cookie base, a layer of fruity jam, and a crumbly cookie topping—pure dessert perfection.

Prep Time:

20 minutes

Cook Time:

30 minutes

Total Time:

50 minutes

Servings:

16 bars

Equipment

• 8 x 8-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper

Ingredients

• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled to room temperature
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar lightly packed, don’t press it in
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats not quick oats
• heaping 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup seedless blackberry jam or any flavor you’d like!

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper (foil is not recommended), ensuring a sufficient overhang on the sides for easy removal of the finished bars. Melt the butter and set it aside to cool slightly to room temperature; this critical step prevents the final bars from becoming greasy.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the cooled melted butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract until they are fully integrated. Continue whisking even if it seems like they won’t combine; a smooth, cohesive mixture will eventually form. This thorough mixing contributes to a tender and well-structured base.
• Add the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, salt, and baking soda to the wet ingredients. Using a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula, mix until a thick, crumbly, yet pressable dough is formed. Take slightly more than half of this dough and press it firmly and evenly into the prepared 8×8-inch pan, creating a compact base layer. Bake this base for 8 minutes, then remove it from the oven.
• Carefully spread your chosen jam over the warm, pre-baked base. Ensure you leave a small border (approximately 1/4 inch) around the edges to prevent the jam from burning or bubbling over during the subsequent baking. Gently layer the jam without pressing it too deeply into the base. Then, evenly sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the jam, again without pressing it down, to form a delightful crumbly topping.
• Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for another 13–18 minutes, or until the top crumbly layer is lightly golden brown and appears set. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to dry bars. Once baked, transfer the pan to a wire rack and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for at least 2 hours before cutting. The bars will firm up significantly as they cool, making them easier to slice cleanly.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: For a delicious crumble or crisp served warm, you can serve these directly from the oven. Scoop into a bowl and top with a dollop of vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Nutrition Note: The nutrition information provided will vary slightly based on the specific type and brand of jam used.

Storage: These bars are best enjoyed within 1–2 days of baking to maintain their optimal texture.

Nutrition

Serving:
1
serving

|

Calories:
245
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
39
g

|

Protein:
4
g

|

Fat:
9
g

|

Saturated Fat:
5
g

|

Trans Fat:
1
g

|

Cholesterol:
20
mg

|

Sodium:
96
mg

|

Potassium:
94
mg

|

Fiber:
2
g

|

Sugar:
15
g

|

Vitamin A:
231
IU

|

Vitamin C:
1
mg

|

Calcium:
23
mg

|

Iron:
1
mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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