Sweet. Heat. Strawberry & Black Pepper Oatmeal Crunch Squares are my new fave!
That’s what this is all about. The black pepper in these bars creates a food-mood.
The heat that’s happening here makes our oatmeal crunch feel a little dangerous…these squares come to the table with a bit of an attitude.
Have you had strawberries with black pepper? Sure you have.
Have you ever topped a salad with berries and then seasoned your salad with salt and pepper? Of course.
Did you like it? I bet you did.
The strawberry jam and black pepper are the yin and yang of this dessert. They exemplify how contrary forces actually complement one another. They interact to form a system where the whole is greater than its parts.
We’ve got crunch. We’ve got sweet. We’ve got heat. Together, we’ve got ridiculously good.
I wish this was the kind of demonstration my instructors would have used to teach about magnetic forces and opposites attracting. I would have looked much more forward to 7th period science.
So there you have it.
Delectable. Crumbly. Scrumptious. Sweet. Heat.
And if you don’t believe me…ask science.
Sweet strawberry jam and spicy black peppercorn enveloped in crunchy oatmeal crumbles…
A match made in heaven.
Buon Appetito!
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Strawberry-Oatmeal Crunch Squares
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup firmly packed golden brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
- 1 cup strawberry jam
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla paste
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 F.
- Butter a 9-inch square baking pan
- In a food processor, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Pulse 2 or 3 times until blended.
- Add the butter and pulse 8 – 10 times until the mixture forms large, course crumbs the size of small peas.
- Remove 2 cups of the crumb mixture and set aside.
- Press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of the prepared pan.
- In a small bowl, combine strawberry preserves, vanilla paste and black pepper.
- Drop teaspoons of the jam evenly over the crust, then spread it gently with the back of a spoon to cover the crust.
- Sprinkle the reserved crumbs evenly over the jam layer.
- Bake until the top is lightly browned, 50 – 55 minutes.
- Transfer to a rack and let cool until firm, about 2 hours.
- Using a large, sharp knife, cut into squares.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
ADDENDUM:
I had every intention of including this link before posting but it slipped right by me…I guess one cup of coffee this morning wasn’t enough!
CIAO!
Gorgeous, Annie! 🙂 These are such a different twist on an oatmeal bar. I’d love to taste a batch of these.
Hi Erin! Thank you so much!! They’re quite yummy! 🙂
Black pepper and strawberries? What an interesting and creative combo! I’ll have to try this some time. 🙂
I hope you do! It’s an interesting delicious combination! Thanks for stopping by with a kind word! 🙂
I am totally game for this. I love strawberries in savory salads so I know these would have me dancing for joy. ?
Oh yeah…once you try these be prepared to do your happy dance! 🙂
It’s kinda like strawberry and balsamic … doesn’t seem likely but it works beautifully! Love how easy these are to pull together and I know taste divine! Love the addition of black pepper.. what a kick! Thank you for this Annie!
Haha! They are a kick! It is true though – this bar is a good example for opposites attracting! Thanks, dear! 🙂
I am loving all of these black pepper-berry recipes all over “The Blogosphere” at the moment. These look just lovely Annie!
Thank you so much, Emma! Everyone knows a good thing when they taste it! 🙂
I love me some savory with sweet. These are brilliant and I need to make them part of my life. They take oatmeal bars to a whole new level!
It does take the humble oatmeal square to the next level. Enjoy! 🙂
I hear you on the yin and yang of flavors. I make a mean Balsamic Black Pepper Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble, but these bars with that crunchy oatmeal crumble topping has me wishing it for breakfast now with my espresso.
Have a great Super Bowl day with friends and family!
Ooooh! Yum! I need to check that out!! Thanks, my friend! You also have a great day! 🙂
This is such a nice way to have oatmeal! Looks yummy ♥
summerdaisy.net
It’s always fun to change things up a bit! Thanks, Summer! 🙂
These look so delicious. I love the crunch factor. I would not have thought of strawberries and pepper but you’re right I have salt and peppered a salad with strawberries on it and loved. This is one to try! Pinned. Take care.
I’d love to know what you think! Thanks, friend! 🙂
This is breakfast pure and simple. No arguing that it’s got sugar and jam and the rest. Uh, uh!! It has oatmeal and that’s all I need to know — it’s good for me. And we know that spicy like pepper revs up the metabolism!! Isn’t that what we want first thing in the morning?? Yep!! This is breakfast! Thank you for a delicious alternative to my boring hot oatmeal. Have a great weekend!!
Yep!! This IS breakfast! Done and done! Thanks, dear! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Yesss! Crunch, sweet, and spice are all I really need in life 🙂
Exactly! The keys to happy living! Thanks, friend! 🙂
I love freshly ground black pepper but I have yet to add it to my desserts so thanks for the perfect inspiration! I have always hated breakfast oatmeal and my mom could never get me to eat it growing up, but if you add a baked and buttery element, then we’re talking my kind of oatmeal!
I hear you! Make your mom proud – eat your oatmeal – in baked and buttery form! 🙂
Ah Annie, I am so intrigued by the black pepper – I love the sweet heat combo, these look so good! Also your science comments made me laugh!
If you’ve never tried it – I recommend it! I’d love to know what you think! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Berries and pepper is a brilliant combo!! I love a little savory twist in my sweets 🙂
Right? Salt brings out the inherent sweetness but pepper gives a subtle cast of heat. It’s very nice! Thanks, dear! Have a great weekend!
These look amazing Annie! Strawberry and black pepper is such a great combo, and I love that you put them into oat squares. Such a delicious oaty treat! Yummy!
Thank you so much, friend! I love oaty treats, too! 🙂
I love jams with pepper! Sweet and spicy combination is always so addictive, you just want to eat more and more! This squares look so delicious!
You got that right! I just want to eat more and more, too!! Thanks, friend!
I do love my oatmeal to come with an attitude! You’re totally cracking me up with your science! I wouldn’t have thought to put black pepper in here, but what a surprise and fantastic idea! Have a great weekend! P.S. Karrie’s roundup is awesome! Go Panthers! 🙂
Hahah! – it’s true though – I probably would have gotten more out of science if it were more a cooking class! Thanks, friend! Good luck this weekend! 🙂
This sounds like a delicious combination and I’m very curious to try it! These bars look perfect! Have a great weekend Annie!
I’d love to know, if you try it, how you like it! Thanks, friend! Have a great weekend!
Oh wow, these bars sound amazing, Annie! I would have never thought to pair black pepper with strawberry, but you are right- makes SO much delicious sense!! These oatmeal squares look perfectly crumbly yet crunchy and firm.. science perfection going on here! I could use a few of these for breakfast! Pinned! Cheers, doll- to a weekend as fabulous as these squares! Xo
I love berries with pepper! You know – I thought dessert but I think having them for breakfast is a brilliant idea! Thanks, dear! Cheers! xo
Oh strawberries with black pepper?! I’ve got to try this! I love the combination! Such a creative idea, especially with the crunch! What a delicious dessert, Annie!
I’m a bit of a nut for cracked black pepper..a little goes a long way, but served with a sweet element – it’s pretty amazing! Thanks, friend!