Cherry Oat Bars
Try these cherry oat bars for a sweet and slightly tart treat or snack that is a tasty variation on traditional cherry pie. Oatmeal, brown sugar and walnuts are the perfect compliment to sweet or tart cherries. You can also substitute your favorite summer stone fruits.
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oatmeal
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- 3 cups cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 3/4 cup sugar (or more depending on desired level of sweetness)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, nuts, baking soda and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Cube the butter and add to flour mixture using a food processor to cut in the butter until crumbly (can also be done by hand). Press in 2 ½ cups into a 9x13” pan. Set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the cherries, sugar and vanilla extract until cherries are well coated with sugar. Please note that if using frozen cherries, it’s best to let them come to room temperature and drain the juices as additional juices will result in a longer cooking time. Spread the cherries over the oat mixture. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture on top of cherries. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges of top of bars becomes golden brown.
- This recipe can be adapted to use a variety of fruits with sugar quantity adjusted as needed based on the fruits’ sweetness. Cooking time may also very slightly depending on the moisture content of what fruit you choose.