Apricot Oat Bars

• salted butter↗250г g

  cut into cubes, plus extra for greasing the pan

• all-purpose flour↗220г g
• soft light brown sugar↗150г g
• ground cinnamon↗1 ч. л. tsp
• ground nutmeg↗½ ч. л. tsp
• ground cardamom↗¼ ч. л. tsp

  (optional)

• rolled oats↗150г g
• apricot jam↗150г g

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Grease a square (20 cm) pan with butter and line it with parchment paper. Transfer the butter, flour, sugar and spices to a food processor and pulse several times until the mixture forms a crumb. Add the rolled oats and pulse a few more times until they are incorporated. Pour two thirds of the mixture into the pan and press it evenly to the bottom with your hands.

2. 2

   Spread the apricot jam over the oat layer, then sprinkle the remaining oat mixture, spreading it in large clumps. Cool for 20–30 minutes until set.

3. 3

   Preheat the oven to 200 °C (180 °C for convection) or gas mark 6. Bake the bars for 40–45 minutes until golden. Let them cool completely in the pan, then remove and cut into 10–12 portions. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.