Sink your teeth into these luscious gluten-free Oatmeal Cherry Bars. These have an oatmeal cookie dough bottom, cherry jam filling in the middle, layered with fresh cherries and then topped with that same delicious oatmeal cookie dough crumbled on top.
Make sure butter and egg are at room temperature before using in recipe.
Grease an 8x8 baking dish (glass is best) with butter or non stick cooking spray and set aside.
In a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugars together. Should take a couple of minutes.
Next, add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix until just combined.
In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add in the oats.
Add this flour/oats mixture to the stand mixture bowl and blend on high until everything is combined well and cookie dough is formed.
Divide dough in half. Press half the dough into bottom of greased 8x8 pan, making sure it's an even layer. Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, while the cookie dough is baking, spoon 3/4 cup of cherry jam into small saucepan. Heat on low until jam becomes a little thinner in texture.
Pour warm jam on top of cookie dough layer and spread around with silicone spatula.
Top with pitted, halved cherries. Layer them in rows so it covers jam surface well.
Crumble the last half of cookie dough over entire cherries to cover completely.
Top with chopped pecans, and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg, if desired.
Put back into oven and bake for another 30 minutes at same temp. Make sure yours doesn't burn, keep an eye on it!
Let cool for about 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Makes 12 squares. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Facts: Calories: 476 | Total Fat: 13.5 g | Cholesterol: 160.9 mg | Sodium: 142.4 mg | Total Carbs: 82.8 g | Protein: 9.9 g | Potassium: 587.5 mg | Calcium: 35.8% | Iron: 11.1% Vitamin A: 127.2% | Vitamin C: 28%