Strawberry Jam Bars With Cardamom | Easy Dessert Bar Recipe
Today I’m going to discuss a wonderful Strawberry Jam Bars with Cardamom that will make you fall in love with its taste, texture, and appearance. Made with a buttery oat crust, sweet strawberry jam filling, and a fragrant touch of cardamom, these bars are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
This homemade jam bar recipe is made with common pantry staples and can be customized with your favorite preserves. These easy strawberry jam crumble bars are soft, chewy, and layered with irresistible flavor. The addition of cardamom adds a warm, floral twist that transforms this classic bake into something truly special. If you love fruit bars, oatmeal jam bars, or cardamom desserts, this recipe should be in your regular rotation.
🍓 Speciality in Strawberry Jam Bars with Cardamom
- Deliciously Fruity: Bursting with sweet strawberry jam and warm cardamom spice, these jam bars are the perfect fruit dessert for any season.
- Soft & Crumbly Texture: The buttery oat crumble crust and topping make every bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Easy to Make: These homemade jam bars are beginner-friendly with simple pantry staples and a quick prep time.
- Versatile Treat: Enjoy as a snack, dessert, or a special addition to a brunch spread. They’re great for holidays, picnics, and packed lunches!
- Naturally Sweetened Option: Easily make these bars refined sugar-free by using low-sugar or homemade strawberry jam.
- Customizable Flavors: Swap the strawberry jam for raspberry, blueberry, or apricot preserves. The touch of cardamom adds a unique twist you’ll love!
- Perfect for Gifting: Wrap them up as homemade edible gifts or holiday cookie box additions that friends and family will adore.
🍓 Ingredients You’ll Need for Strawberry Jam Bars with Cardamom
These easy strawberry jam bars are made with simple pantry staples and a touch of aromatic cardamom. Perfect for dessert, tea-time, or a sweet treat any time of the day.
- All-purpose flour – The base of the crust and crumb topping.
- Old-fashioned oats – Adds a hearty, chewy texture to the bars.
- Unsalted butter – Keeps the bars rich and tender. Use cold, cubed butter.
- Brown sugar – For sweetness and a slight caramel flavor.
- Granulated sugar – Balances the flavors and enhances crispness.
- Ground cardamom – A warm, aromatic spice that pairs beautifully with strawberries.
- Salt – Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness.
- Pure vanilla extract – Adds depth and warmth to the flavor profile.
- Strawberry jam – Use high-quality or homemade strawberry preserves for the best flavor. You can substitute with raspberry or mixed berry jam if desired.
Tip: You can also add chopped nuts or coconut flakes for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
How to Make Strawberry Jam Bars with Cardamom
These strawberry jam bars with cardamom are simple, buttery, and packed with cozy flavor. With a golden oat crust and a layer of sweet strawberry jam infused with warm spices, they’re the perfect easy dessert recipe for any occasion.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an
8x8-inchbaking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal later. - Mix the crust and crumble topping: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, rolled oats, baking soda, salt, and ground cardamom. Stir in the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until a crumbly dough forms.
- Press the base: Reserve about ¾ cup of the mixture for the topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the pan to form a firm crust.
- Spread the jam: Spoon and spread an even layer of strawberry jam across the base. Use the back of a spoon to gently smooth it to the edges.
- Top with crumble: Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture evenly over the jam layer to create a golden crumble topping.
- Bake the bars: Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the jam is bubbling slightly around the edges.
- Cool and slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into clean squares.
💡 Pro Tip: Let the bars sit in the fridge for 30 minutes after cooling to get cleaner slices with less crumble.
🍓 Tips and Tricks for Perfect Strawberry Jam Bars
- 1. Use High-Quality Jam: A thick, flavorful strawberry jam (preferably low sugar or homemade) ensures your bars aren’t overly sweet or runny.
- 2. Don’t Overbake: Bake until the topping is lightly golden and the jam just begins to bubble at the edges. Overbaking can dry out the base.
- 3. Let Them Cool Completely: Strawberry oat bars cut cleanly only after they’re fully cooled—chilling them in the fridge helps too!
- 4. Add Texture: For crunch, stir ¼ cup of chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios, or walnuts) into the crumble topping before baking.
- 5. Make it Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free oats and a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for an equally delicious version.
- 6. Vegan Option: Replace the butter with melted coconut oil or vegan butter to make easy dairy-free jam bars.
- 7. Flavor Boost: Don’t skip the cardamom—it enhances the fruity flavor and gives a warm, aromatic finish.
Pro Tip: Use parchment paper to line your pan and create overhangs—this makes lifting and cutting your strawberry jam crumble bars a breeze.
Related: No-Bake Protein Balls Recipes
🍓 FAQs About Strawberry Jam Bars with Cardamom
Can I use a different type of jam for these bars?
These strawberry oat bars are incredibly versatile. You can use raspberry, blueberry, fig, apricot, or even mixed berry jam. Just make sure to choose a thick, high-quality jam (preferably low sugar) for the best texture and flavor.
Can I make these strawberry jam bars gluten-free?
Yes! To make gluten-free strawberry bars, simply replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour and use certified gluten-free oats. The result will be just as delicious and perfect for those avoiding wheat.
Are these strawberry oat bars vegan-friendly?
You can easily make these vegan by swapping the butter with a plant-based alternative like vegan butter or refined coconut oil. Be sure to check your jam for added gelatin or non-vegan sweeteners.
How do I store strawberry jam bars?
Store your jam bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 7 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Can I freeze strawberry jam bars?
Definitely! These bars freeze beautifully. Wrap them individually in parchment or plastic wrap and place them in a zip-top freezer bag. Label and date them. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge before serving for best texture.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan. The baking time will increase by about 5–10 minutes, so keep an eye on the top turning golden brown and jam bubbling at the edges.
🍓 Serving Suggestions for Strawberry Jam Bars
Wondering what to serve with strawberry jam bars? These cardamom-spiced jam crumble bars are as versatile as they are delicious. Whether you’re enjoying them as an afternoon treat, a cozy breakfast pastry, or a sweet finish to a light meal, here are some tasty ideas to elevate your experience.
☕ Pair with Spiced Tea or Coffee
Serve with masala chai, cardamom latte, or a cinnamon cappuccino to match the spice notes in the bars.
🍨 Add Vanilla Ice Cream
Warm the bars slightly and top with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
🧺 Perfect for Brunch or Picnics
These bars are sturdy and portable—ideal for brunch spreads, lunchboxes, bake sales, or summer picnics.
🍷 Pair with Dessert Wine or Sparkling Water
For a more elegant treat, serve with a glass of Moscato or rose lemonade to balance the sweet and spiced layers.
💡 Tip: Try serving your homemade strawberry oat bars chilled or warm depending on the season – both are equally delightful!
🍓 Storage & Freezing Instructions
Want to keep your strawberry jam bars fresh longer? Here’s exactly how to store and freeze these delicious homemade dessert bars to enjoy every crumb—later!
🕒 Room Temperature
Store the cooled jam bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Perfect for snacking or packing into lunchboxes! Keep them away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
❄️ Refrigerator
For extended freshness, keep the bars refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 1 week. This helps preserve the jam layer and crumb texture longer. Let them sit at room temp for 10 minutes before serving.
🧊 Freezing Strawberry Jam Bars
These cardamom strawberry bars freeze beautifully! Wrap each bar in parchment paper and place in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months for best taste and texture.
🔥 How to Reheat or Thaw
Thaw frozen bars at room temperature for about 30–60 minutes. Optionally, warm in a toaster oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5–7 minutes to restore that buttery crumble!
Whether you’re making these jam-filled oat bars ahead of time or saving leftovers, proper storage ensures every bite is as delicious as freshly baked. 🍰
Strawberry Jam Bars With Cardamom
These Strawberry Jam Bars with Cardamom are a delicious twist on the classic jam bar. Buttery, crumbly, and delicately spiced with fragrant cardamom, they feature a generous layer of strawberry jam sandwiched between two oat-infused crusts. Perfect for a picnic, potluck, or afternoon tea!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (135g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
Wet Ingredients:
- ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Filling:
- ¾ to 1 cup strawberry jam (preferably low sugar or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. - Make the Crust & Topping:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and cardamom. Add melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until a crumbly dough forms. - Form the Base:
Reserve about ¾ cup of the mixture for the topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. - Add Jam Layer:
Spread the strawberry jam evenly over the crust layer. - Add Crumble Topping:
Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the jam layer. - Bake:
Bake for 30–35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the jam is bubbling at the edges. - Cool and Cut:
Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Then lift them out using the parchment and slice into bars.
Notes
- Use cold butter: If you want a more crumbly texture, try using cold diced butter and rubbing it into the dry ingredients instead of melting.
- Jam swap: Try other jams like raspberry, fig, or mixed berry for variety.
- Make it vegan: Substitute butter with coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative.
- Add crunch: Add ¼ cup chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios, or walnuts) to the topping for extra texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Pair with chai tea or spiced coffee for a cozy treat.
Storage
- Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Fridge: Store up to 7 days for extended freshness.
- Freezer: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 105Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 122mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 2g
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