Strawberry Jam Bar (vegan, gluten free)

Jam is so yummy, right?
It is just perfect with this combination of oats and brown sugar.  These bars can be made really with any flavor jam, today, I just felt like strawberry.

Okay, Truth....it is what I had in the fridge.

Sometimes that's the way a baker should bake.  Open up the fridge, the pantry, the freezer.
What do you have in there?  What inspires you today?
Vegan baking doesn't always mean running off to the health food store to get that new, strange ingredient.

Although, last truth?
I absolutely love running to the health food store to find that ingredient I have never tried before!

Strawberry Jam Bar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x5 inch loaf pan with non-dairy cooking spray.

For a crowd this recipe can easily be doubled, then use a 13x9 inch glass baking dish.

This recipe here yields 10 Bars

In a medium bowl mix together:

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup organic brown sugar

In a separate bowl whisk together:

1 cup Bob's Red Mill gluten free all purpose flour

1 teaspoon xantham gum

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and combine together.

Then add and mix with a spatula:

3/4 cup Bob's Red Mill gluten free oats

3 tablespoons organic unsweetened applesauce

2 tablespoons warm water

In a small bowl mix together:

3/4 cup of organic strawberry jam ( or whatever fruit flavor you love)

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Spread half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan.  This batter is sticky, so you may find it helpful to wet your fingers and spread it on the bottom of the pan.

Spread the jam mixture on top of that.

Sprinkle the remaining batter over the top of the jam.

Bake for 28-32 minutes at 350 degrees or until browned and set.

Let cool on a wire rack completely before cutting into bars or squares.  

I love it with a cup of tea!  Enjoy-