I fiddled around in the kitchen to create this recipe because I had a ton of fresh strawberries from the farmers' market, a huge canister of oats, and sliced almonds from another dish. I must say, this is one of my favorites! They are easy to make and taste incredible!
INGREDIENTS
1 - 8x8 inch square baking dish
Parchment paper
Baking spray (I prefer Pam Baking Spray with Flour)
1 1/2 c. old fashioned oats
1 1/4 c. flour
3/4 c. brown sugar (preferably light)
1/2 c. sliced almonds
1 stick of butter, melted
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
2 cups fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and quartered
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. milk (almond milk, regular, any kind is fine)
1 c. powdered sugar
DIRECTIONS
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Tear off parchment paper to line your baking dish large enough so that you can gently lift the bars out of the pan in one movement. See photo. Spray parchment with baking spray.
In one bowl combine 1 c. oats, 3/4 c. flour, 1/2 c. brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. ground ginger, and 6 tbsp. of melted butter. Mix together. The mixture should turn brown and not have any white flour or sugar left. If need be, add additional melted butter (but not too much!). Press the mixture into the baking dish atop the parchment paper. Press firmly and pack down the oats mix making sure to get it tightly into all four corners of the dish.
Combine your two cups of hulled and quartered strawberries in a separate bowl with 1 tsp. cornstarch, 1 tsp. lemon juice, and 2 tbsp. granulated sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour strawberries on top of pressed oat mixture in the dish.
In another bowl combine 1/2 c. oats, 1/4 c. flour, 1/4 c. brown sugar, 1/2 c. sliced almonds, and 2 tsp. melted butter. Mix well and crumble on top of the strawberries. Lightly place a small piece of tin foil over the top of the crumble to keep it from burning. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 15 - 20 minutes to brown the top.
For the glaze combine the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and almond extract into a bowl and stir.
When the bars are done (you will see the strawberries bubbling, the top is browned, and you can smell the strawberries baking) remove from the oven and let them completely cool in the dish. DO NOT remove the bars before they are cooled. When cool, lift the bars out by the parchment paper. Drizzle the glaze on top. Cut into squares. Makes 9 - 12. Enjoy!
Love,
Pearl