Cherry Oat Bars (From a Cake Mix)

The scent of cherry and toasted oats takes me straight back to my grandma’s kitchen. Every summer, she’d have a different “project” – jams, pickles, pies – but these bars were a constant. They weren’t fussy, and they certainly weren’t diet food, but the way the sweet, slightly tart cherries played against the buttery, crumbly oat base? Unforgettable. I’ve tweaked her recipe over the years to make it even simpler, using a cake mix shortcut that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Servings: 24
• Yield: 24 bars
• Dietary Type: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 18 ½ ounces white cake mix
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• ¾ cup butter, melted
• 1 cup cherry preserves
• 1 tablespoon water
• ½ cup pecans, finely chopped

Equipment Needed

• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan, either by greasing it lightly or lining it with parchment paper. Parchment paper will make removing the finished bars much easier.

2. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, oats, and melted butter. Mix until the butter is evenly distributed and the mixture is crumbly. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated. This is the base and topping for our bars. (See Note #1 at end for directions to make a lower-fat option).

3. Press approximately TWO-THIRDS of the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to create a firm, even layer.

4. In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the cherry preserves and water. Stir well until the preserves are slightly thinned. (See Note #2 at end, regarding jam).

5. Spread the cherry mixture evenly over the pressed oat crust in the pan.

6. Add the finely chopped pecans to the remaining ONE-THIRD of the oat mixture. Mix well to combine.

7. Crumble this pecan-oat mixture over the top of the cherry filling, allowing some of the cherry filling to peek through. Don’t pack the topping down; you want it to remain crumbly for a delightful texture.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 28-30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the center doesn’t collapse when you press lightly. (Bake for 34-36 minutes if you are doing the lower-fat option). Keep a close eye on the bars during the last few minutes of baking to prevent over-browning. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the pan with foil.

9. For the best results, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. This will help them to set and prevent them from crumbling. I personally like to cover the pan with foil and cut them into bars the next day.

10. Once cooled, cut into bars. A pizza cutter or a sharp knife works well for this.

NOTE #1: For a lower-fat option, instead of ¾ cup butter, use ½ cup butter and ¼ cup applesauce. The applesauce adds moisture without the fat.

NOTE #2: A 10 oz. jar of Smucker’s “Simply Fruit” is about 1 cup. Use the whole jar. Other brands and variations of cherry preserves will also work perfectly well.

Expert Tips & Tricks

• Melted Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is fully melted and slightly cooled before mixing it with the dry ingredients. This helps create a uniformly crumbly texture. If the butter is too hot, it can melt the oats and cake mix unevenly.

• Don’t Overmix: When mixing the oat mixture, avoid overmixing. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the cake mix, resulting in a tougher bar. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.

• Press the Crust Firmly: Pressing the crust firmly into the pan is important for creating a stable base for the cherry filling. This will also help prevent the crust from crumbling too much when you cut the bars.

• Customize Your Topping: Feel free to experiment with different nuts in the topping. Walnuts, almonds, or even a sprinkle of shredded coconut would be delicious.

• Prevent Sticking: To prevent the bars from sticking to the pan, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This makes it easy to lift the bars out of the pan after they have cooled.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

These Cherry Oat Bars are fantastic served at room temperature. They’re perfect for an afternoon snack, a potluck dessert, or even a slightly indulgent breakfast treat.

For storage, keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

To reheat, you can warm the bars in a 350°F (175°C) oven for a few minutes, or microwave them in 10-second intervals.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	223.4 kcal	N/A
Calories from Fat	91 kcal	N/A
Total Fat	10.2 g	15%
Saturated Fat	4.2 g	21%
Cholesterol	15.2 mg	5%
Sodium	191.7 mg	7%
Total Carbohydrate	31.2 g	10%
Dietary Fiber	1.2 g	4%
Sugars	18.7 g	74%
Protein	2.4 g	4%

Variations & Substitutions

• Other Preserves: Swap the cherry preserves for other flavors like raspberry, apricot, or even fig jam.

• Chocolate Chips: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white) to the oat mixture for a chocolatey twist.

• Peanut Butter Chips: Replace the pecans with peanut butter chips for a peanut butter and cherry combination.

• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free cake mix and certified gluten-free oats to make these bars gluten-free.

• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the oat mixture for a warm, spiced flavor.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I use regular rolled oats instead of quick-cooking oats?
A: While you can use regular rolled oats, the texture will be a bit chewier. Quick-cooking oats are preferred for a more delicate crumb.

Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! These bars are perfect for making ahead of time. They can be stored at room temperature for a few days, or frozen for longer storage.

Q: My bars are too crumbly. What did I do wrong?
A: This could be due to not pressing the crust firmly enough into the pan, or not using enough melted butter. Make sure to press firmly and measure accurately.

Q: Can I use fresh cherries instead of preserves?
A: Yes, but you’ll need to pit and cook the cherries down with a little sugar and water to create a jam-like consistency before using them in the recipe. Otherwise, the bars might be too watery.

Q: Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
A: Because the cake mix already contains a significant amount of sugar, it’s not recommended to drastically reduce it, as this can affect the texture and structure of the bars. However, you could opt for a lower-sugar cherry preserve.

Final Thoughts

These Cherry Oat Bars are more than just a simple dessert; they’re a taste of nostalgia, a reminder of simpler times spent in the kitchen with loved ones. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and create your own memories. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and ingredient combinations to make it your own. And please, let me know how they turn out! These bars are wonderful enjoyed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a steaming cup of coffee. Happy baking!