Valentine’s Day is around the corner and in today’s market the clients will taste and have the recipe of a healthy strawberry oatmeal bar. It’s a perfect treat to enjoy with your loved one as a snack or dessert, and an easy way to show off your cooking skills. Serve it with Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Bars

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour or substitute all-purpose flour
  1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (or substitute melted coconut oil to make vegan/dairy free)
• 2 cups small-diced strawberries about 10 ounces, divided, you can use the frozen ones
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice from 1/2 small lemon
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar divided

For the Vanilla Glaze (optional if you prefer a sweeter bar)

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon milk any kind you like

Instructions

• Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 375 F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper so that the paper overhangs two sides like handles.
• In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, ginger, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir until it forms clumps and the dry ingredients are evenly moistened. Set aside 1/2 cup of the crumble mixture, then press the rest into an even layer in the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Scatter half of the strawberries over the crust. Sprinkle the cornstarch evenly over the top, then sprinkle on the lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Scatter on the remaining berries, then the remaining 1/2 tablespoon sugar. Sprinkle the reserved crumbs evenly over the top. You will have some fruit showing through.
• Bake the bars for 35 to 40 minutes, until the fruit is bubbly and the crumb topping smells toasty and looks golden. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely (you can speed this process along in the refrigerator).
• Optional: While the bars cool, prepare the glaze: In a medium bowl, briskly whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Feel free to add more milk if a thinner consistency is desired. Using the parchment-paper handles, lift the bars from the pan. Drizzle with glaze, slice, and serve.