Apple butter oat bars are a casual dessert that also make excellent lunchbox snacks. I’ve even enjoyed them as a slightly indulgent on-the-go breakfast, though if I know I’m making them for the morning I will grudgingly eliminate the sugar (and keep the maple syrup) so that they are a little less sweet.
MAKES 12–16 BARS
1 cup cold salted butter, cut into small pieces
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups whole old-fashioned oats
½ cup sugar
½ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
12–14 ounces apple butter*
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line a ¼-inch sheet pan or 9- by 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Using a pastry cutter, mix together the butter, flour, oats, sugar, syrup, baking powder, and salt until well combined and crumbly. Press half of the oat mixture into the pan. Spread with apple butter. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the apple butter. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the edges are golden. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
*Apple butter may be substituted with your favorite fruit jam or preserves. I especially recommend the Blackberry Earl Grey Jam from Roots Kitchen & Cannery.
