Apricot Oat Bars
This recipe creates delightful apricot oat bars featuring a sweet and chewy crust made with oats and walnuts, layered with a vibrant apricot jam and dried apricot filling. Simple to prepare, these bars are an excellent option for a portable snack or a sweet treat, perfect for sharing.
Equipment
- 1 9x13-inch Metal Baking Dish
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Small Mixing Bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Spatula
Ingredients
Main
- Vegetable oil cooking spray
- 1 13-ounce jar apricot jam or preserves (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 8 dried apricots chopped into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1/3 cup)
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packed cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 3/4 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup 4 ounces coarsely chopped walnuts
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg at room temperature, beaten
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 by 13 by 2-inch metal baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with vegetable oil cooking spray and set aside.
- Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the jam and the apricots. Set aside.
- Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Stir in the oats and walnuts. Add the butter, egg and vanilla and stir until incorporated.
- Using a fork or clean fingers, lightly press half of the crust mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Using a spatula, spread the filling over the crust leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the pan. Cover the filling with the remaining crust mixture and gently press to flatten. Bake until light golden, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool for 1 hour. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
1. For enhanced flavor, lightly toast the walnuts before incorporating them into the crust mixture. This deepens their nutty profile and adds an extra layer of complexity.2. Ensure the butter is fully melted but not hot when adding it to the dry ingredients, as hot butter can affect the texture of the crust.3. Cooling the bars completely is paramount for clean cuts and to prevent them from crumbling. Patience here will yield perfectly portioned bars.4. Consider using a high-quality, slightly tart apricot jam to balance the sweetness of the crust. A touch of fresh lemon zest in the jam can also brighten the flavors.