Raspberry Oatmeal Bars

I made these bars three times this week. Yes, three times. One batch of these beauties lasts us about a day. The boys love having them in their lunch boxes. Even better, Evan came home asking for more. They take less than ten minutes to put together. Bake them and you're in for a treat. You know you've done something right when you feel the need to spoon the crumbs out of the pan.

I've experimented with various flours. Spelt and all purpose flour work equally well. Oat flour also works but they are more crumbly. You can use any jam you have on hand. We've used strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry.

This recipe comes from one of my favorite cookbooks, The Joy of Vegan Baking. I've modified the recipe by using canola oil rather than the margarine. I also use less jam than the recipe calls for. Jam can be pricey so I use 1/4 cup instead.

Raspberry Oatmeal Bars


1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 salt
1 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup non-hydrogenated margarine
(I've used 1/4 cup canola oil and it worked as well)
1/4 cup jam
(The recipe calls for  3/4 cups, but you can get away with 1/4 cup)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 and lightly oil an 8-9 inch square baking dish.
2. Combine the sugar, flour, soda, salt and oats.
3. Add the margarine (or canola oil) and combine until crumbly.
4. Press two thirds of the mix into the baking dish.
5. Spread the jam onto the mixture. If the oat mixture loosens and gets mixed in with the jam this is no biggie. It all turns out well in the end.
6. Add the rest of the oat mixture to the top and gently press into the jam.
7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is lightly browned. Cool before you cut. When it first comes out of the oven it will be soft. By the time it has cooled it will be nice and crunchy.