Apricot Oat Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/3 cup soft brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 3 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup New Canaan Farms Old Austin Apricot Jam

SERVE WITH:
Seasonal fruit

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350° and line an 8″x8″ baking pan with parchment, bringing the paper up on two of the sides to ensure easy removal of the cooked oat jammies
• Combine the flour, oats, salt and baking soda in a medium-sized bowl
• In a smaller bowl, mix together the brown sugar, melted butter and vanilla extract, then add this into the dry ingredient bowl and combine well. You should have a nice moist crumbly mixture
• Spoon 3/4 of the mixture into the baking pan and press down firmly with the back of a spoon
• Bake in the oven for around 12 minutes, until lightly golden-brown
• Remove from the oven and immediately spread the jam on top. The recipe calls for 1 cup, but I usually use a little more!
• Crumble the remaining mixture on top, using your fingers, then return to the oven to cook for another 10-12 minutes
• Remove and leave in the pan to cool for 30 minutes, then place in your fridge to cool for 30 more (this will enable you to slice into bars cleanly)
• When ready, use the overhanging parchment to pull out the block, and slice however you wish!
• Serve alone, or with fresh fruit and a favorite beverage

Other jams to try…