by Sarah Mir · Updated December 14, 2021
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My 7 year old is a Jam Snob. When I made these Strawberry Jam Bars she politely ate one then after our friends had gone she looked at me and said "So I wasn't a big fan of the bars. You see, I liked the top and the bottom, but that jam, that wasn't good jam. You should get some good jam."
Insert Eye Roll.
Note to self: drive 45 minutes out to Springridge Farms to buy strawberry jam. Because grocery store jams - ew. Also so are apparently jams with large pieces of fruit. That little bit there reassures me that she is still 7.
It is purely coincidental that this Strawberry Jam Bars post goes live on Valentine's Day, but the red works don't you think? I was musing recently how my Valentine's Day preplanning is now solely focused on the kids/school. My cousin Sanober - cousin in law if you must be technical - took a thought provoking approach right over here. Parent friends read it and let me know what you think!
Now back to the Strawberry Jam Bars, they are easy peasy and totally customizable. You make one mix and that's the base and the crust. You are welcome to make your own filling, but this is my lazy day baking so I always skip it. Also strawberries aren't exactly in season right now!
Print Recipe
4.04 from 29 votes
Jam Bars
A super simple bar where the delicious crust is also the topping!
Author: Sarah Mir
Ingredients
- 250 ml your favourite jam (a little less is ok too!)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup flour (can use WW Pastry Flour)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar (optional, but recommended if your jam isn't super sweet)
- ½ cup melted butter
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F and line a square tin with parchment paper (for easy removal!)
Combine the dry ingredients together and then gently mix in the melted butter. If you are using sugar stir it in here too.
Pat two-third of the mix into the bottom of the pan
Spread the jam over it
Scatter the remaining crumble over top
Bake for 25-30 minutes, the crumble should be nice and golden.
Let cool in tin for 5 mintues. Then lift the parchment paper and bars onto a wire rock to cool. Cut into desired shapes
Notes
- for a fun twist you can add a little citrus zest (½ tbsp) into the crumb mix to compliment the jam you are using. So lemon for strawberry, orange for blueberry etc.
Looking for another Valentines Day idea? We love these Mini Oreo Truffles!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Lauren Smith | The Oatmeal Artist saysI am amazed that this recipe requires no sugar in the crumb portion! And these are all ingredients I have on hand. I kind of collect and hoard unique flavors of jam, so I'm trying to find more ways to use them up. 🙂 This will definitely get the job done. Thanks!
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- sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Hi Lauren, glad to hear it, do keep me posted on how it goes!
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- Lisa Jo says
These are delicious! I get jam every year for Christmas from a co- worker, I used the strawberry this year to make these.
So easy and had all the ingredients. Want to try other flavors now.
Thank you!Reply
- sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Thank you Lisa! Am so so happy to hear you enjoy them!
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- Missy says
I really feel that the crust is missing something..maybe sugar.
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- sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Hi Missy! Thanks for sharing your feedback. I am wondering if the Jam we use is sweeter and that's why I don't miss it, but I will give it a go again and update the recipe incorporating your feedback!
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- Vonnie says
I thought the dough was too bland so I added brown sugar- that really helped
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- sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Thank you Vonnie for that feedback! I think i am going to revisit this recipe. Were you happy with the overall flavour when it was baked? Would love to hear your thoughts!
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- Amy LeClair says
This recipe is great, simple and quick. I love the fact that there is no sugar added to the crust, the jam is sweet enough.
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- sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Thank you Amy!!! I keep going back on the crust because I know a lot of people prefer a sweeter base, but like you I find the jam sweet enough. SO glad you enjoyed it
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- Lu says
I made some jam with extra strawberries from a socially distant visit to our local farmer's market (it is fruit season and I am now a baking machine because of COVID-19). The jam was SWEET because it used loads of sugar instead of pectin to set. This crust perfectly balanced my sugary jam because the crust was not too sweet. I had all the ingredients on hand and used whole wheat pastry flour. It was a bit crumbly. Next time I may add a little more butter, or a little less whole wheat pastry flour. Love this simple recipe and will make it again.
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- sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Those are great tips for when you are using whole wheat pastry flour! Also I laughed at the covid baking machine reference 🙂
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- Sky says
I made these tonight because it was the simplest, most straight forward recipe I could find that I was able to make with what I had in my pantry! I did add a bit of sugar to the base and a lil more butter, just because the jam I had isn’t super sweet, and it was perfect! So good and so easy! Thank you!
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- sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Hi Sky! Thanks for making it and for tweaking it according to the jam you had - so smart! Glad you enjoyed it!
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- Angela says
Such a simple and delicious recipe! My kids went crazy for these. So tasty!
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- sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Thank you Angela! Am so glad to hear it!
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- Alison says
Yum! These look to buttery, sweet, and delicious. That strawberry jam center is calling my name!
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- sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Aww thank you Alison!! SO kind of you!
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- Erika says
These jam bars look great. Love the strawberry flavor!
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- Erika says
These jam bars look great! Love the strawberry flavor!
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- sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Thank you! It's one way to keep the taste of summer alive all year!
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- Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I have everything I need for this dish, can’t wait to make it this weekend!
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- sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Thank you so much Shadi! Hope you LOVE them!
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- Michelle says
These are delicious. My kids love them for snacks!
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- sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Thank you Michelle! Am so glad to hear it!
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- Yolanda Calvin Maupin says
Awesome & love that it’s healthy-ish lol. I use half a cup of the white flour & use the other half almond flour. Also use simple truth organic strawberry preserves. Then for the oats I use the Better Oats multigrain oatmeal maple brown sugar 2 packets! Sooooooo good! I’ve made this like 5 times since finding the recipe a month ago. A local market sold these ready made Oklahoma Jam bars. Not sure why they are called Oklahoma jam bars but couldn’t find a recipe anywhere but these are the closest to the ones they make (they never have recently when I go there)! Anyway Kudos!!
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- Sarah Mir says
I absolutely love your tweaks! They sound so genius to me - you're clearly a pro baker!
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