Oatmeal Crunch Squares

They are crumbly and oaty, wth a hint of cinnamon. A cross between a cookie and an excpetionally good granola bar, they are crunchy and chewy at the same time. I am glad that I decided to add a good sized pinch of salt, as that really added some dimension to the basic flavors here. My only complaint was that my jam was difficult to spread on the oat base, so make sure to stir yours well in a small bowl to loosen it up. Try to avoid jams with large chunks of fruit, which will make the bars difficult to cut.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup butter, cold and cut into pieces
1 cup/10-oz  jam or non-chunky preserves

Method:

Preheat the over to 325F and grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
In the food processor, combine flour, oats, sugar, salt and cinnamon. Pulse to combine.
Add butter and pluse 8-10 times, or until the mixture forms large, coarse crumbs. Set aside 2 cups of this mixture.
Pour remaining crumb mixture into prepared pan and pack firmly against the bottom and 1-inch up the sides of the pan. Stir jam to loosen, then spread evenly onto this layer. Top with reserved srumb mixture.
Bake for 50-55 minutes, until bars are a light, golden brown.
Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack, then cut into squares. Store in an airtight container.

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