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Irresistible Tart Cherry Almond Crumble Bars Easy Homemade Recipe with Oat Topping

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These tart cherry almond crumble bars offer a perfect balance of tart and sweet with a crumbly oat topping and almond undertones, making them a cozy and simple homemade treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups (180 g) rolled oats (old-fashioned, not instant)
  • 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free option)
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 1 1/4 cups (320 g) tart cherry preserves or jam
  • 2 tablespoons sliced almonds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy lifting.
  2. In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir well.
  3. Add melted butter and almond extract to the dry mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until mixture holds together but remains crumbly. Add a teaspoon of milk if too dry.
  4. Set aside 1 cup of the oat mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the base layer.
  5. Spread tart cherry preserves evenly over the base layer. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top if using.
  6. Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture evenly over the cherry layer without pressing down.
  7. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and cherry filling bubbles around the edges. Watch closely from 30 minutes onward.
  8. Cool bars completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least one hour to firm up.
  9. Use the parchment overhang to lift the slab from the pan. Cut into 12 squares with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts.

Notes

Use parchment paper for easy removal. Melt butter warm but not hot. Do not overmix crumble to keep texture light. Cool bars completely before slicing to avoid mushy pieces. If cherry preserves are runny, boil with cornstarch to thicken. Variations include using different nuts, seasonal fruits, or making vegan/gluten-free substitutions.

Nutrition

Keywords: tart cherry bars, almond crumble bars, oat topping, homemade dessert, easy baking, cherry almond bars, crumble bars, gluten-free option, vegan option

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