“Pineapple Apricot Oatmeal Bars”

Do you take the time to go through old recipes and find something you have totally forgotten about? Your mind goes to what the recipe tasted like and maybe who gave it to you. Maybe you think, I need to leave this recipe out to make soon. That’s how I felt when I found my Pineapple Apricot Oatmeal Bars.

I feel so happy and giddy when I find something new to share with y’all (snicker). Just call it giving an old recipe new life and these fruity, chewy, crunchy bars fit the bill perfectly. The filling is divine and the crust is heavenly. They’ll make your mouth water because they’re so good.

Pineapple Apricot Oatmeal Bars

Finding the recipe I guess was not hard but not remembering the recipe was another. I do keep old recipes in a different spot, yet I need to look through them more often. Man, it’s amazing what you’ll find.

The bars are filled with a crushed pineapple and apricot preserves filling and baked between a buttery oatmeal crust. Incredible, I’m telling you!

I use to make these bars all the time because my dad loved them. As I mentioned a while back, my dad was a sweet eater so you could say he was my taste tester. Dad would tell me in his nicest way what needed to be changed or left as is. Many happy memories making these fruity oatmeal bars.

Pineapple Apricot Oatmeal Bars

How to make these scrumptious dessert bars is a 3-step process and then you can dive in. All you need is a 13X9 baking pan, two mixing bowls, and a 2-quart saucepan and utensils.

Start by making the fruit filling because it needs to cool for a bit. Grab your saucepan and add in:

• crushed pineapple
• apricot preserves
• granulated sugar
• cornstarch
• salt

Place saucepan over medium heat and stir mixture together. Continue cooking, stirring constantly until filling thickens and becomes clear, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to for a bit.

Heat oven to 375 degrees and butter your 13X9 baking pan and set aside.

Pineapple Apricot Oatmeal Bars

Next, prepare your oatmeal crust by mixing:

• flour
• brown sugar
• baking powder
• nutmeg
• salt
• unsalted butter
• rolled oats

Cut in softened butter into flour mixture until crumbly in texture. Last, stir in rolled oats until well mixed.

Reserve two cups of crumb mixture and set aside. Press the remaining crust to the bottom of your buttered pan. Spread your fruit filling evenly over oatmeal crust. Last, sprinkle filling evenly with remaining crumb mixture and press slightly.

Bake for about 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool, cut, and eat! Yum!

What could possibly be any simpler to make? Perfect any time even when feeding a hungry crowd.

Pineapple Apricot Oatmeal Bars

Thes Pineapple Apricot Oatmeal Bars are going to go into your repeat file. The pineapple and apricot are such an unbelievable pairing. I love the oatmeal crust which is buttery and crisp with a bit of chewiness.

This is one of those recipes to share with friends and family alike. If you’re a bar cookie fan, then you’ll want to get in the kitchen and bake a batch. Keep them airtight for at least 3 days if they last that long.

Happy Baking!

If you make this recipe, like or leave a comment, @michelleheyden, @chowdownlowdown, or #chowdownlowdown.

Pineapple Apricot Oatmeal Bars

 

Pineapple Apricot Oatmeal Bars

Memorial Day is a week away and these crushed pineapple and apricot jam oat bars are the perfect sweet treat for feeding a hungry crowd. This recipe is an oldie but goodie! Enjoy!

 

1 – 8.5 oz. can crushed pineapple, undrained

1 cup (12 oz.) apricot preserves (not fruit spread)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup cornstarch

3/4 t. sea salt, divided

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup lightly packed light brown sugar

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. ground nutmeg

3/4 cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened

2 cups quick cooking rolled oats

 

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 13X9-inch baking pan and set aside.

In a 2-quart saucepan, combine pineapple, apricot preserves, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Place saucepan over medium heat and cook fruit mixture, stirring constantly, until thick and clear. Remove from heat and cool 15-20 minutes.

While fruit mixture cools, stir together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in large mixing bowl.

Cut butter into flour mixture until crumbly. Stir in rolled oats until well mixed.

Reserve 2 cups crumb mixture and pat remaining crumb mixture evenly into bottom of prepared baking pan.

Spread cooled fruit mixture over crumb mixture evenly.

Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over fruit mixture and press down slightly.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Allow bars to cool on wire rack. Cut into bars when ready to serve.

Store oatmeal bars in an airtight container.

 

Makes 24 bars.