For those striving to eat healthier while still satisfying a sweet tooth, these jammy crumble bars offer a perfect solution. Made with wholesome ingredients like oats and maple syrup, they require no butter, eggs or refined sugar, making them a guilt-free indulgence that can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
A Healthier Approach to Sweet Treats
This year, many are focusing on making better dietary choices, but resisting sugary cravings can be challenging. Instead of reaching for processed chocolate bars or ice cream, which often lead to regret, creating homemade healthier alternatives has become a popular strategy. These jam crumble bars are a prime example, offering a scrumptious dessert that aligns with wellness goals.
Simple and Quick Preparation
The recipe demands roughly five minutes of hands-on preparation and 25 minutes in the oven, making it an ideal speedy fix for sweet cravings. This efficiency also makes the bars suitable for busy schedules or as a fun activity for children's packed lunches, encouraging youngsters to participate in meal preparation.
Ingredient Innovations and Substitutions
Unlike many traditional recipes, these crumble bars omit refined sugar, butter and eggs. Instead, they rely on oats for fibre, maple syrup for natural sweetness, and oil for moisture. For instance, coconut oil can be used, but substitutions like olive oil or avocado oil work equally well based on availability.
The jam component is versatile too. While Fearne & Rosie's seedless strawberry preserve is recommended, alternatives such as Hartley's Seedless Strawberry Jam, M&S Seedless Strawberry Conserve or Tiptree Strawberry Jam can be used. This flexibility allows for personalisation according to taste or pantry contents.
Recipe for Jammy Crumble Slices
To make 12 bars, you will need the following ingredients:
- 200g plain flour
- 70g rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 50g maple syrup
- 80g coconut oil, melted (substitute with olive oil or avocado oil if preferred)
- 200g strawberry seedless preserve (any brand of jam works)
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C fan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder and cinnamon.
- Add the maple syrup and melted coconut oil, stirring until a tender, crumbly texture forms.
- Take two-thirds of this mixture and press it firmly into a greased 8x8-inch baking tin to create the biscuit base.
- Smooth the jam evenly across the surface, then scatter the leftover crumble mixture on top.
- Bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
- Allow to cool thoroughly before cutting into portions. Serve as is or top with extra jam and a drizzle of creamy peanut butter for added indulgence.
These bars not only cater to health-conscious individuals but also provide a delightful treat that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Whether as a dessert, snack or lunchbox addition, they demonstrate that healthier eating doesn't mean sacrificing flavour or satisfaction.
