Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

• 1. Preheat the oven

  Start by preheating your oven to 175°C. Line a baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
• 2. Make the oat mixture

  In a big bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir until everything is nicely combined.
  
• 3. Add the butter

  Pour in the melted butter and stir it in until the mix becomes crumbly but sticks together. This will be your delicious base and topping for the bars.
• 4. Press the base into the pan

  Take about two-thirds of the oat mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Make sure it’s even so your base is nice and solid. Bake for 15mins
• 5. Spread the blueberry filling

  Now that your jam is ready, spread it evenly over the oat base. Then to it up with some fresh blueberries 
  
• 6. Add the crumb topping

  Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the jam or blueberry filling.
  
• 7. Bake

  Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
• 8. Let it cool

  Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan,or not 🤣
  
• 9. Slice and serve

  Cut into squares and serve! I love having mine with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of warm, sweet bars and cold ice cream is simply irresistible.

How to Make the Blueberry Jam Filling:

• 1. Cook the blueberriesIn a small pan, add the blueberries and ¼ cup sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the blueberries start to break down and release their juices (about 5–7 minutes).
• 2. Thicken the mixtureIn a small bowl, mix the lemon juice and cornstarch to form a slurry. Pour this into the blueberry mixture, stirring well to combine. Let it cook for another 2–3 minutes until the mixture thickens into a jam-like consistency.
• 3. Cool the jamOnce thickened, remove from heat and let the jam cool slightly in the fridge before using it as the filling for your bars.