Easy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
User Reviews
5
Easy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
Description
These Easy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars use a fresh strawberry filling tossed with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch to achieve a thick, juicy center. The topping and crust are made from old-fashioned oats, shredded coconut, flour, sugars, salt, melted butter, and coconut extract, creating a crumbly, tender texture rich with coconut flavor. The bars bake together in an 8x10 pan until the fruit is bubbling and the crust is golden brown.
The flavor contrast between the tart berries, sweetened coconut oat crust, and crumble topping gives a pleasing balance. The texture ranges from soft and juicy inside to crisp edges outside, making it a versatile bar for snacking or dessert.
They can be served warm with ice cream or cooled and sliced. This recipe suits home bakers seeking a fruity oat bar without packaged fillings or refined convenience ingredients.
Storage notes recommend keeping the bars in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheating slightly in the microwave or oven is possible but may soften the crust. Freezing is discouraged to preserve texture and freshness. Eating them soon after baking is suggested for best results.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs strawberry stemmed and sliced, fresh
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice or lime, fresh
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract pure
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup coconut unsweetened, shredded
- 1-½ cups old-fashioned oats
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- How to Make Strawberry Coconut Bars
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line an 8x10 dish with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine strawberries with ¼ cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss until the strawberries are evenly coated, and let sit for a few minutes.
- In another bowl, mix together oats, coconut, flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, salt, melted butter, and coconut extract. Spread half of this oats mixture in the bottom of the lined pan. Pour the berry mixture over the crust and then sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top.
- Bake in the middle oven rack for 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the fruit is bubbly. Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars, or serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Reheat gently in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes; expect a softer crust.
- These bars are best eaten the same day and are not recommended for freezing or long-term storage.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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