Guava Jam Coconut Macadamia Oat Bars (Printable Version)

Buttery tropical bars with guava jam and coconut-macadamia oat crumble topping

# Ingredient List:

→ Crust and Crumble

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
09 - 1/2 cup roasted macadamia nuts, roughly chopped

→ Filling

10 - 1 cup guava jam or guava paste, softened
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter until the mixture forms moist crumbles.
03 - Add shredded coconut and chopped macadamia nuts to the mixture, stirring until evenly combined.
04 - Reserve 1 cup of the crumble mixture for topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
05 - In a small bowl, stir together guava jam and lime juice until smooth. Spread evenly over the crust layer.
06 - Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture evenly over the jam layer.
07 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the jam is bubbling at the edges.
08 - Let cool completely in the pan. Lift out using the parchment overhang and cut into 16 bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste like a tropical vacation in bar form without requiring any exotic techniques or hard-to-find specialty items.
  • The texture contrast is honestly addictive because you get buttery crumble, chewy jam, and the subtle crunch of macadamia in every single bite.
  • You can have these ready in under an hour which means you can impress people without spending your whole afternoon in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Do not skip the cooling step no matter how much the warm bars call to you; they need time to set or you'll end up with crumbly, broken pieces instead of clean bars.
  • If your guava jam is particularly thick straight from the jar, warming it gently or adding the lime juice will make spreading infinitely easier and prevent you from accidentally dragging through the crust.
  • Toasting the coconut and macadamias yourself for 5 to 7 minutes at 325°F before mixing brings out flavors that store-bought toasted versions sometimes lose.
03 -
  • Brown your butter in a small saucepan before mixing if you have an extra three minutes because those toasty notes elevate the entire bar without making it taste obviously different.
  • Press your crust layer with slightly damp hands instead of trying to pack it with a cup; the moisture helps it hold together without making it dense or gummy.
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