Strawberry Whole Grain Crumble Bars

Incorporate whole grains into your baking with these delicious jammy strawberry bars. They have a nutty whole wheat crust and oat crumble topping. Try with barley flakes (which look like rolled oats) and barley flour for an alternative grain. They're available in the bulk section of some grocery stores.

INGREDIENTS

Strawberry Filling

• 1 pkg. (16 ounces or 3 cups) Driscoll's Strawberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 tsp. leamon juice
• Pinch salt

Crust

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Crumble Topping

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Topping

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.
   
   Place rolled oats, all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process until oats are partially ground. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and drizzle with melted butter using your hands to combine and make small clumps.

Filling

1. Combine strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and salt in a 2-quart non-reactive saucepan over medium heat. Stir until mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat and continue to simmer stirring constantly until fruit thickens slightly. Remove from heat.

Assembly

1. Bake frozen crust 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove from oven and increase temperature to 350°F.
2. Spread 1 1/2 cups strawberry filling over crust and sprinkle evenly with crumble topping creating larger clumps if desired.
3. Bake about 50 minutes or until golden brown, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time. Remove from oven and cool on a rack 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to prevent the bars from sticking. Cool completely and cut into bars.

Crust

1. Butter or grease a 9-inch square pan.
   
   Stir together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, brown sugar and salt in a large bowl using a fork to combine and remove any lumps. Add melted butter and vanilla and stir until thoroughly combined. Butter or grease a 9-inch square pan.
2. Press dough evenly into prepared pan and freeze 30 minutes