Strawberry Oatmeal Bars #SundaySupper

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars are a terrific way to celebrate the fact that Florida Strawberries are in season. You will have through April to take full advantage of these tasty beauties so there will be plenty of time to make your way through all of the Family Healthy Recipes my fellow Sunday Supper family created.

Florida strawberries are filled with many health benefits. Strawberries are virtually fat free, contain no cholesterol and are an excellent source of folic acid that helps the body metabolize protein.

I am a huge fan of the grab-and-go convenience associated with eating strawberries. Simply wash them and then head out the door. It’s refreshing to know that eight medium strawberries contain more vitamin C than one orange.

Florida strawberries are also low in calories (about 45 per serving) and high in ellagic acid, which is believed to help reduce the risk of cancer. A serving size of strawberries is one cup (5 oz.) so one serving will be satisfying.

There are plenty of strawberries to enjoy in Strawberry Oatmeal Bars. The Florida strawberries are cooked on the stove first to give a jam consistency before they are transfered to the bars.

I wanted to use oat flour and my initial attempt used only oat flour. I learned very quickly that I needed to use a blend of flours in order to achieve the desired consistency for Strawberry Oatmeal Bars. Old fashioned oats add a nice touch, too.

For more strawberry health benefits, head over to Florida Strawberries website. While you are at it, be sure to follow Florida Strawberry on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest as well as Strawberry Sue on YouTube and Twitter so you can stay up-to-date on everything happening in their very sweet world.

This post is sponsored by Florida Strawberry in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars #SundaySupper

Prep time: 35 mins

Cook time: 50 mins

Total time: 1 hour 25 mins

Serves: 16

Ingredients

Filling:
1 quart Florida strawberries, washed and hulled
⅔ cup (142 grams) sugar
1½ tablespoons (12 grams) cornstarch
1 tablespoon (12 grams) lemon juice
Bars:
1 cup (143 grams) all purpose flour
⅓ cup (38 grams) oat flour
⅓ cup (28 grams) old fashioned oats
½ teaspoon (4 grams) salt
12 tablespoons (172 grams) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (211 grams) sugar
½ teaspoon (2 grams) vanilla extract
1 egg
confectioners sugar for dusting

Instructions

For the filling:
Place the strawberries in a medium saucepan. Mash with your hands or a masher and add ⅔ cup sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is thick and translucent, stirring constantly. Cool completely.
For the bars:
Preheat the oven to 350°. Line an 8" x 8" baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Whisk together the all purpose flour, oat flour, oats and salt. Set aside.
Beat the butter, sugar and vanilla in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Add the egg.
Blend in the dry ingredients.
Spread half of the dough onto the bottom of the parchment lined baking pan. Top this with the cooled strawberry filling. Drop the remaining dough by the spoonfuls over the strawberry filling. The entire top will not be covered.
Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes. Cool in the pan.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Lift the parchment paper out of the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Cut into 16 bars.
Dust with confectioners sugar.

Notes

Additional time is required for the filling to cool and the bars to sit in the refrigerator overnight.

Healthy Family Recipes Using Strawberries

The Sunday Supper Movement is committed to bringing our readers delicious recipes that encourage them to gather and eat together around the family table. Search for your favorite ingredients on our Sunday Supper website. Also check out the Sunday Supper Pinterest boards for plenty more ideas and inspiration.