These buttery Oatmeal Jam Bars are easy to make and a hit wherever theyโre served. Sweet, fruity jam goes between two layers of buttery oatmeal cookie dough!
Use extra jam in theseย Costco Raspberry Crumble Cookies or theseย Raspberry Bars.
authorโs note
Cookie Crust + Jam Center = Dessert Goals!
If youโve ever tried these practically famous Carmelitas, you know the magic of oatmeal cookie bars. Sandwiching a filling in the center takes them to a whole new level.
Instead of loading the center with caramel and chocolate (like in Carmelitas), Iโm adding a thick layer of jam.
Iโm usually more of a chocolate girl (hello, Chocolate Cake!), while my husband is all about fruity desserts. But these oatmeal jam bars? Theyโre something we both agree on when we want a sweet treatโabsolutely delicious!
Ingredients In Oatmeal Jam Bars
- Butter: Cool the melted butter to room temp before using to avoid greasy bars.
- Brown Sugar: Lightly pack these into the cup for an accurate measurement.
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Be sure to use old-fashioned oats, not quick oats.
- Salt and Baking Soda: Make sure your baking soda is fresh.
- Seedless Blackberry Jam: Any jam flavor will work! For a smoother filling, use seedless jam. But if seeds donโt bother you, feel free to use jam with seeds.
Featured Comment
โThese are delicious and easy to make. I like how easy it is to change up the flavors with different jams, nuts, etc. Everyone loves them. Thanks for another great recipe.โ
โ April
How To Make Oatmeal Jam Bars
- Preheat and Prep: Warm your oven. Use parchment paper for easy bar removal.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Cool melted butter to avoid greasy bars, then mix with brown sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Mix in Dry Ingredients: Add flour, oats (choose old-fashioned for texture), salt, and baking soda to create a dough.
- Bake Base: Press more than half of the dough into the pan. Bake briefly for 8 minutes.
- Add Jam: Spread your jam on top, avoiding the edges to prevent burning.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the rest of the dough over the jam. Bake until golden, about 13-18 minutes.
Oatmeal Jam Bar Tips
- Pan size: Use an 8ร8-inch pan. A 9ร9 makes the bars too thin. Doubling in a 9ร13 should work, but I havenโt tested it.
- Line the pan: Use parchment with overhang for easy removal.
- Mix well: Stir melted butter & brown sugar until smooth to avoid greasy bars.
- Jam layer: Spread jam gently, leaving a border to prevent burning.
- Bake time: Donโt overbake! Bars are done when edges are golden & the top looks set.
Storage
Oatmeal Jam Bar Storage
- These bars are best eaten within 1-2 days of being made. The longer they sit, the more the jam will soften the bottom layer, making it gooey.
- Store bars in an air-tight container at room temperature.
- I have not personally tried freezing and thawing these bars, but I suspect they would get a bit soft and gooey on the bottom as they thaw.
More Easy Dessert Recipes:
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Cinnamon Roll Cheesecakes
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7 Layer Bars Recipe
Desserts
Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies
Desserts
Sโmores Cookie Bars
Oatmeal Jam Bars
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled to room temperature
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar lightly packed, donโt press it in
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats not quick oats
- heaping 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup seedless blackberry jam or any flavor youโd like!
Instructionsย
- Preheat oven to 350ยฐF. Line an 8ร8-inch pan with parchment paper (I donโt recommend foil), leaving an overhang for easy removal. Melt the butter and let it cool slightly to avoid greasy bars.
- Whisk melted (cooled) butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until fully integrated; it will seem like they wonโt, keep whisking until completely integrated.
- Combine flour, oats, salt, and baking soda into a thick dough using a wooden spoon or spatula. Press just over half into the pan in an even layer. Bake for 8 minutes and remove.
- Spread jam over the base, avoiding the edges to prevent burning. Gently layer without pressing into the base. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture on top without pressing down.
- Continue baking for 13โ18 minutes until the top is lightly golden. Cool at room temperature on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before cutting; they firm up as they cool (see note 1).
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
ย
Super easy to make and delicious to eat! We used a fig jam that really brought amazing flavor and texture.
Iโm so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Natalie!
Fool proof! Turned out so good, didnโt even last 2 days!
I did find using my hand to crumble the top part was best. I used bread flour because thatโs all I had and it still turned out perfect! Definitely have to make a double batch next time
Yay! Iโm so happy to hear this! Thanks so much Jessica!
I doubled this and used a 9ร13 glass pan. It worked great. I love this.
So thrilled to hear this! Thanks Janie!
HiโI halved the sugar amount due to the bars being too sweet for us. Should I adjust other ingredients if I do that?
I havenโt tested it with half the sugar so I canโt say for sure, but if you do give it a try let me know!
These are delicious and I want to make a large batch for meal prep. Can you freeze the bars?
So happy youโre enjoying these! They freeze great!
These are delicious and easy to make. I like how easy it is to change up the flavors with different jams, nuts, etc. Everyone loves them. Thanks for another great recipe.
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much for your comment April! ๐
These look awesome! What if I add peanut
butter?! Any suggestions?
Iโd try this recipe instead: https://axis-framework.live/cookie-butter-oatmeal-bars/%3C/a%3E (replace cookie butter with peanut butter!)
These are SO AMAZING! Iโve made them for every womenโs prayer breakfast weโve had and they are such a hit! I try to change up the jam for each season- caramel apple for fall, cherry for winter, orange marmalade for springโฆand now strawberry pineapple for summer! ๐ Thank you for a go to breakfast/snack recipe! Itโs a keeper!
Yay! I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Lexi! ๐