Pioneer Woman Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

These buttery, crumbly Pioneer Woman strawberry oatmeal bars are made with just seven ingredients: flour, oats, brown sugar, butter, baking powder, salt, and a jar of strawberry preserves. They take 10 minutes to throw together and about 40 minutes in the oven.

There’s almost nothing to this recipe and that’s the beauty of it. You mix the dry ingredients, cut in cold butter until it looks like coarse crumbs, press half into the pan, spread the preserves over it, then sprinkle the rest on top. No eggs, no vanilla, no extra steps. The oat mixture does all the work.

Use slightly less than half the crumb mixture for the bottom layer. If you split it evenly, you run short on top and end up with bare patches where the preserves show through. A thicker top layer also gives you a better crunch once it bakes golden. Pat the layers gently, don’t pack them hard, or the bars turn dense instead of crumbly.

Pioneer Woman Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Author: Hamdi Saidani Cooking Method:Baking Cuisine:American Courses:Brownies & Bars Pioneer Woman Desserts Recipes

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 40 minutesTotal time: 50 minutesServings:12 servings Best Season:Summer

Description

These Pioneer Woman strawberry oatmeal bars layer a buttery oat crumb mixture around sweet strawberry preserves for a simple, golden baked treat with just seven ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 sticks cold butter, cut into pieces
  
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 1/2 cups oats (quick or regular)
  
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 jar (10 to 12 ounces) strawberry preserves

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9×13-inch or 8×10-inch baking dish.
   
2. Mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
   
3. Cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
   
4. Sprinkle just under half the crumb mixture into the prepared pan. Pat it down gently to pack it slightly.
   
5. Spoon the strawberry preserves evenly over the surface. Use a dinner knife to carefully spread them into a thin, even layer without dragging the crumbs along.
   
6. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top. Pat very gently to lightly pack the surface.
   
7. Bake until light golden brown on top, about 35 to 40 minutes.
   
8. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

FAQs

Can I use regular oats or quick oats?

Both work. Quick oats give you a more crumbly, sandy texture in the finished bar. Regular oats hold together more like an oatmeal cookie, with visible flakes and a chewier bite. Pick whichever texture you prefer.

Does the butter need to be cold?

Yes, cold butter creates those coarse crumbs that bake into a crispy, layered texture. If the butter is too warm, the mixture turns into a paste instead of crumbs and the bars come out flat and dense. Let it soften just slightly so it cuts easier, but keep it cool.

Can I use a different flavor of preserves?

Apricot, raspberry, and blackberry all work well. The method stays exactly the same. Strawberry has a comfort-food quality that makes it the favorite, but swapping flavors is the easiest way to get a different bar without changing anything else.

How do I store the leftovers?

Cover the pan with foil or transfer the cut squares to an airtight container. They keep at room temperature for about 3 days and in the fridge for up to a week. The oat layer firms up a bit when cold, so let them sit out for a few minutes if you like them softer.

What do I serve it with?

A tall glass of ice-cold milk is the perfect match. For an afternoon snack spread, a pot of tea or a vanilla latte complements the warm, buttery flavor. If you’re building a dessert table, the Strawberry Icebox Cake alongside gives guests a cool, creamy contrast to these warm, crumbly bars.