Strawberry Oat Squares with Homemade Jam

Adapted from ohsheglows.com

It is so delicious, you will want to bake more after your first bite. With strawberries in season, it is a wonderful dessert or a healthy afternoon snack with a cup of milk or lemonade.

Ingredients for Oat Base:

• 1.5 cups regular oats
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 chia egg (1 tbsp chia seeds+ 4 tbsp warm water, mixed)
• 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp Coconut oil
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp almond milk
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (for topping only)

Ingredients for Strawberry Jam:

• 2 & 1/4 cups chopped strawberries, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces OR approx 1 cup pre-made jam
• 3-4 tbsp sugar, to taste
• 1 tbsp chia seeds

Directions: Preheat oven to 350F. Line a square pan with parchment paper and oil the sides of the pan and base. In a medium sized pot, add the chopped strawberries and sugar. Heat over low until the strawberries begin to sweat and it gets a bit watery. Once it heats down a bit, add in the chia seeds, and stir well. Bring to a boil and then simmer over low to medium heat for at least 10 minutes. Once it has thickened a bit, remove from heat and cool for 5-10 mins. In a small bowl, mix the chia or flax egg and set aside. In a large bowl, mix the oat base dry ingredients: oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt. In a small bowl, mix the warm Coconut oil, maple syrup, almond milk, and chia egg. Stir well. Add the wet mixture (reserving 1/2 cup of the mixture) to the dry and mix well, using hands if necessary. Pour the oat mixture onto the square pan and press down with fingers. Pour on strawberry mixture and smooth out. Now sprinkle on the reserved 1/2 cup oat mixture and sprinkle on. Now sprinkle on 1 tbsp of sesame seeds or coconut. Bake at 350F for approximately 30 minutes. Allow to fully cool for at least 30-40 minutes before gently removing from pan. Slice and then store in a container in the fridge to keep firm.