Description
These Creamy Cherry Oat Bars with Fig Crunch Topping are a delicious layered dessert made with a creamy cherry filling, hearty oat crust, and a sweet, chewy fig topping for the perfect balance of tart, sweet, and crunchy.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup cherry preserves or cherry pie filling
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dried figs, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds or walnuts (optional)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in melted butter until mixture is crumbly.
- Press two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- Spread cherry preserves evenly over the crust. Then pour and spread the cream cheese mixture over the cherries.
- In a small bowl, mix chopped figs, nuts (if using), and honey. Combine with the remaining oat mixture to form the topping.
- Sprinkle the fig crunch topping evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
- Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars. Chill for cleaner cuts if needed.
Notes
- Use fresh cherries cooked down with sugar as an alternative to preserves.
- Substitute figs with dates or raisins if desired.
- Bars store well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg