Berry Oatmeal Crumble Bars

By á-25138

Get your daily serving of fruit in this tasty dessert! This recipe for Berry Oatmeal Crumble Bars is simple and makes the perfect dessert when it is berry season.

Ingredients

• FILLING
• 3 cups fresh or frozen berries, I used 2 cups blueberries, 1 cup strawberries
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• CRUMBLE AND CRUST
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, quick-cooking or regular
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, softened and cut into 7 to 9 large chunks
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Step 1

FILLING
In a medium saucepan, stir together berries and lemon juice and cook medium heat until fruit is tender, about 8 to 15 minutes, depending on type of berries being used (strawberries take longer than other berries, usually).

In a small bowl, whisk together sugar and cornstarch, then stir into fruit mixture. Continue cooking until mixture comes to a boil.

Boil for 1 to 2 minutes, until thick. Scrape berry filling into a medium bowl and set aside.

CRUST
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a 9×13″ baking pan.

In a food processor, or large mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, butter, baking soda , salt, and vanilla extract. Pulse until mixture is thoroughly blended and resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1 1/2 cups of this mixture in a medium bowl.

Pour remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, spread evenly and pat down. Place filling in dollops over crust and carefully spread to cover entire surface.

Squeeze reserved crumb mixture into large clumps with your fingers and sprinkle evenly over the top of the fruit filling.

Bake until golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Cut into 20 bars to serve.