Almond Jam Bars


I came across this recipe in my hunt for nutritious breakfast bars that my kids could grab on their way out the door.  There never seems to be enough time to eat breakfast during the week.  These bars were a hit and a good way to use up half empty jars of jam. Now if only they weren't so crumbly...

Almond Jam Bars
Makes 16
From Real Simple Magazine, Sept 2015

1 cup rolled oats (I use g-free oats from Trader Joes)
3/4 cup flour (I use Cup4Cup)
1 1/4 cups raw almonds (or walnuts)
1 stick butter, cut into pieces
1/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup raspberry jam

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.

Pulse oats, flour and 1 cup of the almonds in a food processor until finely ground.  Add butter, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Pulse again to combine.  Set aside 1/2 cup of the crumble mixture.

Press the rest of the crumble mixture into the bottom of the pan with the bottom of a drinking glass or a spatula, making sure to press well into the corners. Spread the jam over the crumble mixture.  Coarsely chop the remaining almonds and combine with the reserved crumble.  Spread evenly over the jam.

Bake until golden brown and set in the middle, about 35-45 minutes.  Let cool completely, lift out using the parchment paper and cut into bars.  Store in an airtight jar.