Pioneer Woman Apricot Bars Are They for Breakfastor Dessert

Pioneer woman apricot bars are they for breakfastor dessert is worth asking, since these buttery oat bars handle both with ease. Seven pantry ingredients and just 55 minutes give you a crumbly, fruit-filled treat for potluck desserts, quick breakfasts or easy make-ahead weeknight snacks.

The step that matters most is pressing the bottom layer gently rather than packing it down tight. If you press too hard, the oat base bakes dense and tough instead of crumbly and tender.

Ree uses the same oat dough for both the base and the crumble topping, so the apricot layer stays the star. Most bar recipes rely on a separate shortbread crust, but this single-dough method keeps prep to 15 minutes.

Pioneer Woman Apricot Bars Are They for Breakfastor Dessert

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Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

24

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

178

kcal

A crumbly brown sugar and oat dough sandwiches a thick spread of apricot preserves, then bakes until the top turns golden and slightly crisp.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour
  

• 1 1/2 cups oats
  

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
  

• 1 tsp baking powder
  

• 1/2 tsp salt
  

• 1 3/4 sticks salted butter, cut into pieces
  

• 1 jar (10-12 oz) apricot preserves

Directions

• Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F and generously butter an 8-inch square baking dish, since a well-greased pan keeps the bars from sticking when you cut them.
• Mix the dough: Combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl, then add the butter pieces and mix until everything comes together into a crumbly dough.
• Press the bottom layer: Pour half of the oat mixture into the buttered pan and press it lightly with a rubber spatula, because a gentle press gives you tender bars while a firm one makes them tough.
• Spread the preserves: Spoon the entire jar of apricot preserves over the pressed layer, then gently spread it into an even coat with a knife or offset spatula.
• Add the topping: Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly over the preserves and pat lightly with the spatula, so the top layer stays loose and crumbly.
• Bake until golden: Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the top turns light brown, then let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Tools for this recipe

• USA Pan 8x8 square cake pan, OXO silicone spatula set. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of preserves instead of apricot?

Any thick fruit preserves work here, so raspberry, peach or strawberry are solid swaps. Stick with preserves rather than jelly, because jelly is too thin and seeps into the dough instead of holding its shape.

How long do these apricot bars stay fresh?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can refrigerate them for up to a week, though they taste best warmed because the butter softens and the crumble turns more tender.

Can I mix the oat dough ahead of time?

Mix the dough up to 2 days early and store it covered in the fridge. Let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before pressing into the pan, since cold dough is harder to spread evenly.

What if I only have a 9x9 pan instead of an 8-inch square?

A 9x9 pan works fine, though the bars will be thinner and may need about 5 fewer minutes in the oven. A small rectangular dish works too, and the key is keeping the dough thick enough that bars hold together.

What is the most common mistake when baking oat bars like these?

Overbaking is the biggest issue, because the bars firm up as they cool and turn hard if left too long. Pull them once the top is light brown, then cool completely before cutting so the preserves set.