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Blueberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour (or gluten free flour blend)
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or coconut oil)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat Things Up and Get the Pan Ready
   Begin by setting your oven to 375°F (190°C), so it’ll be ready for baking. During this time, take an 8-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Let a bit of the paper hang over the sides; this trick will make lifting the bars out later a breeze.

2. Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
   Grab a large mixing bowl and add the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if you're feeling a bit spicy. Use a spoon or your hands to combine everything until it’s a lovely, uniform mixture. Don’t rush this part—making sure the ingredients are well-blended will pay off later.

3. Step 3: Make the Crumbly Mixture
   Now, pour the melted butter and vanilla extract into the dry mixture. Stir it all together until it’s crumbly, but still sticking together somewhat. You're looking for a texture that's like damp sand, which is what’ll give your bars that perfect crunchy base and topping.

4. Step 4: Form the Base
   Take about half of your oat mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Make sure it's evenly spread because this is the foundation of your bars. You want a smooth, compact layer, so take your time pressing it down.

5. Step 5: Prepare the Blueberries
   In a separate smaller bowl, toss your blueberries with granulated sugar and cornstarch. Whether you’re using fresh or frozen, ensure the berries are well-coated. The cornstarch will help thicken the juices as they cook, ensuring your bars aren’t soggy.

6. Step 6: Layer on the Berries
   Spread the coated blueberries evenly over the base. Try to distribute them as evenly as possible, so each bite is full of that juicy blueberry goodness.

7. Step 7: Add the Topping
   Take the remaining oat mixture and crumble it over the top of the blueberries. Gently press it down, but don’t compact it too much—this is where you get that delightful crumbly topping.

8. Step 8: Bake Until Golden
   Place your pan in the oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the topping turns a beautiful golden brown and the blueberries are bubbling away. Keep an eye on it; ovens can be finicky, and you don’t want to burn that precious topping!

9. Step 9: Cool and Cut
   Once baked, let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling step is crucial; trying to cut them too soon can lead to a crumbly mess. Once cooled, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out and slice them into squares. Enjoy your delicious creation!

Notes

Whipping up these blueberry oatmeal bars might seem straightforward, yet a few common missteps can sour your baking adventure. One hiccup is overmixing the oat mixture, which could make your bars less crumbly and more dense. Just stir until combined, and you'll be golden.

Another pitfall involves the berries. If using frozen blueberries, there’s a sneaky trick: don't thaw them! Thawing results in extra moisture, leading to soggy bars. Simply toss them straight from the freezer with sugar and cornstarch.

Lastly, watch that baking time. Anxious bakers sometimes pull the bars out too soon, resulting in an undercooked bottom layer. Wait until the top is golden and those blueberries are bubbling away for the best results. Keep these tips in mind, and your bars will be a delightful success!

Keywords: Blueberry Oatmeal Squares, Blueberry Oat Bars, Blueberry Oatmeal Snack, Blueberry Baked Oatmeal, Blueberry Breakfast Bars