This Fruity Pastry Bars balance bold fruit flavors with a dense, buttery crust. This recipe makes a big batch!
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Keyword: bars, cherries, walnuts
Author: Beth Cato
Equipment
jelly roll pan
aluminum foil
nonstick spray
Ingredients
Bars
1 1/2cupunsalted butter (3 sticks) room temperature
1 1/4cupswhite sugar
2large eggs room temperature
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1teaspoonsalt
3 1/2cupsall-purpose flour
Topping
12 to 13ouncesfruit preserves such as strawberry, cherry, or raspberry
1cupchopped walnuts
1/4cupquick oats
Instructions
Line a jelly roll pan with a large piece of aluminum foil. Apply nonstick spray or butter. Preheat oven at 350-degrees.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Gradually mix in the flour and the salt. Batter will be very thick. Grease a hand and use that to pat down about 3/4 of the dough into the bottom of the pan.
Wash hands. Spread preserves over the dough. Sprinkle the walnuts over the top. Add quick oats to the reserved dough. Place small handfuls of dough spaced out over the top.
Bake for about 35 minutes, until top is set and doesn't jiggle in middle. Cool completely, speeding process in fridge if desired. Use foil to lift contents onto a cutting board to slice into bars. Store in a sealed container. Bars can also be frozen for later enjoyment.