Thursday, February 23, 2017

Oatmeal Jam Bar Mix-in-a-Jar ~ Free Printable Recipe Kit


"As they gathered about the table, Mrs. March said,
with a particularly happy face,
"I've got a treat for you after supper."
A quick, bright smile went round like a streak of sunshine."
~ Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Do you ever stare at the rows of jams and jellies in your pantry and get discouraged that you have not used them up? Here is one of our favorite ways to enjoy a health"ier" sweet treat while utilizing some common pantry ingredients. So, next time you find yourself in a "jam", throw together these simple dessert bars! They can even double as breakfast bars on some special day! 


I prefer to prepare batches as pre-made pantry mixes. This can be quickly accomplished while you have out all the ingredients! It is especially simple with our recipe kit which includes the directions, jar labels and instruction labels. I like to make up six jars at a time but larger families may want to make a few more. 


To Make the Mix ~

Place inside a quart-sized jar the following ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour * (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 1/2 c. oatmeal (press mixture down after adding oatmeal to make room in jar)
  • 1/2 c. packed brown sugar  (or coconut sugar, muscovado sugar, etc.)
  • 1 tsp. salt  (we use sea or Himalayan pink salt)
  • 1 tsp. baking powder 
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda 
  • 1/4 c. chia seeds (optional) * I include these for the added crunch, fiber, antioxidants, protein and amino acids, essential minerals and vitamins A, B and E. Unfortunately, I think most of the essential fatty acids are destroyed in the baking process. 
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon (optional)

* Variation: You can also use 3/4 c. whole wheat flour and 3/4 c. regular flour for a healthier blend. However, due to the shelf life of whole-wheat flour, the mix would only keep for 6-months. With the white flour it will keep for 1 year.

Once ingredients are added, place the lid firmly back on the jar and give it a good shake. The mix is now complete. Simply label and attach directions to the jars (our printable is shared at the bottom of this post).



To Prepare the Oatmeal Jam Bars ~

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch square baking dish.

Dump the homemade mix into a medium-sized mixing bowl and add:
  • 3/4 c. coconut oil (melted) *

* Variation: You can substitute the coconut oil for the same amount of cubed, cold, unsalted butter. Just scatter the pieces of butter over the flour mixture and cut in the butter with a pastry cutter until the mixture is moist and crumbly.



Stir ingredients together until moist and crumbly.
  • Measure 2 loose cups of the mixture and press it into the bottom of the greased pan. Smear 1/2 cup of jam/jelly gently across the top. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the jam layer and press down carefully until the crumble is somewhat firm. Bake until the top is golden brown for approx. 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a rack and then cut into bars. Refrigerate for a firmer bar.
OR

* Variation (for a thinner bar): Add 2 loose cups of the mixture and press it into the bottom of a greased 9 by 12-inch pan. Smear 1 cup of jam/jelly gently across the top. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the jam layer and press down carefully until crumble is somewhat firm. Bake until the top is golden brown for approx. 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a rack and then cut into bars. Refrigerate for a firmer bar.


The nice thing about making your own mixes is that you can control the quality of ingredients and avoid all the artificial additions. Instead of iodized table salt, we are able to use the healthy sea or pink salts. Instead of baking powder laden with cancer-causing aluminum, we can choose the "clean" version. Instead of bleached sugar, we are able to use a more natural version of sweetener. It is a win-win and a wonderful way to build up your pantry!



HERE is our printable recipe kit (you may also want to add it to your recipe book). Do you like to do these kinds of make-ahead projects? I adore them!

P.S. This recipe will also be featured in our upcoming "food storage/pantry" cookbook as I have been doing my own homework to find recipes made directly with shelf stable foods from the pantry. I hope you enjoy it!



You may also be interested in our other printable recipe kits for:
All the fine print. This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making MondaysModest Mom Monday'sMonday's MusingsMake Your Home Sing MondayGood Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Tuesdays with a TwistRaising HomemakersWise Woman Link UpHomestead Blog Hop Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and ConversationHomemaking ThursdaysHome Sweet HomeOur Simple HomesteadAwesome Life Friday Link Up and Shabbilicious Friday. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them).  Recipe was slightly adapted from here.

28 comments:

  1. Hello JES, now I have some nice labels for my pantry goods! Thank you 😊 I especially like to make-ahead jam bars, pie crust, and corn bread mixes that are gluten-free. These are so handy when you have unexpected company or to take to a church gathering. I also like to give these jar mixes as gifts. Pssst- that looks like a nice sturdy wooden spoon you have there!

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    1. Did you print off some of our pantry labels? How exciting! I would love to see pictures of your pantry! If you ever wanted to share -- pleasewritetojes@hotmail.com is my email :) Also, we make these bars using the GF flour because of my daughter and they taste delicious! I too love to give them as gifts! Especially to busy mothers of little ones... Thank you for taking the time to comment here today! Have a lovely weekend!

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  2. Those sound yummy. Also great to tote along on errand days. Much tastier and healthier than a fast food stop.

    Thanks!

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    1. I think so! And so good with a cup of coffee! :)

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  3. Thanks for that recipe, Jes. I could replace the sugar with dextrose and use sugar free jam when I make some next time. Such a good idea to have it mixed up in jars ready to make.

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    1. Great idea! We have done sugar free jam also and it is delicious! :) We sweeten it with grapes (pressed into juice) from our patio arbor.

      Have a lovely weekend!

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  4. I'm so excited to try this recipe today! My husband gets up very early (3 a.m.) and I get up 30 minutes before he does to make his coffee and pack his lunch. I've been wanting to make something different for him to enjoy with his coffee, and I am certain he will like these! Thank you for your wonderful posts!

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    1. I hope he likes them! If he is a fan of nuts, you can substitute some of the oatmeal for some chopped walnuts or pecans. Bon Appetit!

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  5. A new cookbook in the works! Yay! I am enjoying your DIY Fruit Scraps book, especially since all the citrus on our land is ready to pick. Thanks for this recipe; it sounds delicious :) So appreciate your blog and always look forward to new posts.

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    1. Hi Heather, I am thinking more on printable pages for a pantry cookbook due to our preparedness series but we will see. I am glad you are enjoying our Ebook!!! Thanks for the feedback! You will be brimming with projects soon with all that free fruit! I would love to see pictures of any of the products you make from it! :)

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  6. Hello Jes,
    This is such a good recipe. I like to take something healthy along to our Youth Bible Study each Thursday afternoon. The young ones should love these. Thank you for the recipe.
    Blessings Gail.

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    1. That would be perfect Gail! Thanks for visiting and have a lovely weekend! :)

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  7. Thank you for sharing this with us. I DO love making homemade mixes to have in our pantry, so I will definitely make this one too. : ) Mary S.

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to share Mary! I do appreciate it and hope you enjoy adding the mix to your pantry! :)

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  8. Sounds yummy!! Thanks for sharing!! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  9. Yes, I have looked at my rows of jams and jellies, and wondered if they were going to get eaten! What a great way to use up some of those jellies! Thank you for sharing this very handy recipe :)

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    1. Didn't think I was the only one there! :) I hope this recipe proves helpful! Have a lovely week!

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  10. Hello JES- I made this recipe today! It's delicious 😋 I made it gluten-free and used raspberry jam. I plan to make a few jars to give as gifts along with a jar of my homemade jam 🌸 Will print out your cute labels!

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    1. Wonderful! Thank you so much for the feedback! I really appreciate it :)

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  11. That's a great idea. Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home.

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  12. Thank you so much for all of your wonderful ideas and recipes. I appreciate you sharing your homemade labels, too. Very generous!
    Carol L

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    1. Thank you Carole for taking the time to encourage! I appreciate it :)

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  13. JES, this looks like a great recipe! Pinning for later!

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  14. Hi Jes,
    This sounds like a delicious and simple recipe but healthy snack or quick meal. Sharing - pinning & tweeting. Congratulations on your being featured on Homestead blog hop. Have a healthy, happy & blessed week.

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  15. Lovely. I can't wait to make a couple of these for my pantry. Thanks so much.

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  16. I just recently have been diagnosed that I have to eat gluten free. I want to try this recipe and a couple of the other ones. Thank you for sharing and for the printable tags. I was wondering if I had to be concerned about the gluten free flour going bad like wholewheat? Do you know! Thank you for all your sharing! Nancy

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