These easy Blackberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars are made with only four ingredients and are seriously delicious. We like to eat them warm with ice cream but they are equally yummy at room temperature. Easy bars are LIFE. Try these favorites too: Irresistible Key Lime Pie Bars, Heavenly Hash Truffle Bars, and Lemon Drop Bars.
Blackberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
A couple of weeks ago my Dad and brother came over to install a ceiling fan in our patio. Summers are crazy hot here in Sacramento and this fan is going to make the patio a much more comfortable place to hang out. I asked my Dad if he had any requests for snacks or treats while he was working and he said, “Oh anything would be fine” which I understood as, “You better make me something good!”
It dawned on me that I hadn’t made any of my mom’s oatmeal crumble bars in a long while and I knew they would be perfect to snack on during the day. I grew up on these bars. I started making them when I was about 8 years old and haven’t stopped since. They are SO, SO, SO easy and you are not going to believe how yummy they are! The crumble portion of the bars is made with yellow cake mix, oatmeal, and butter. That’s it. And it’s divine.
I love recipes like this that are so easy and taste like a million bucks. This crumble bars recipe is a great recipe to have your kids help out with. There are no eggs involved and the steps are so simple there’s really no way to mess it up. I will forewarn you that the crumble mixture is completely and totally addicting. The only way I can keep from snacking on it is because I know it tastes even better after they’re done 🙂
Speaking of after the bars are baked…now is a good time to enjoy the bars. We do – with a spoon! Straight from the oven the bars are just heavenly. If you think of it – spoon some into a bowl and top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Then you can come back and thank me. It’s incredible! I’m slightly embarrassed to say that close to half of the 9 x 13 baking dish was eating via spoon. The good news? We still had half to cut into bars the following day!
Blackberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
Ingredients
- 15 oz yellow cake mix one box
- 2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 3/4 cups butter melted
- 1 cup blackberry preserves or jam
- 1 tbsp water optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Line a 9 x 13 baking dish with parchment paper or grease with cooking spray.
- Mix cake mix and oats in a large bowl.
- Add melted butter, stir until crumbly.
- Press down half the crumbs onto the bottom of the pan.
- Combine preserves and water, spread over crumbs. If preserves are already easy to spread, you don't need to add the water.
- Spread remaining crumbs over preserves and press down firmly.
- Bake for 18 to 23 minutes or until very lightly golden brown.
- Eat warm or cool, cut into bars, and serve.
Nutrition
I love the variety of bars that can be made with this recipe and I’m excited to share more of them soon!
More of our favorite bar recipes:
Chocolate Cherry Marshmallow Crunch Bars
Reese’s Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Bars
Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
For all appetizer recipes, go HERE.
For all dessert recipes, go HERE.
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Thailia says
Do you think you could us fresh blackberries instead of the jam or preserves?
Shan says
These sound divine! Do you think regular oats would work instead of using the quick-cooking ones? I’m trying to use what I have in the kitchen. Thanks!
Toodie says
Great recipe for something fairly quick! And anything with blackberries can’t be all bad, right? LOL!
Traci says
Just found and am pinning now! Made a jam for Xmas presents (strawberry, raspberry and fig) and have a bit leftover. This will be a great way to use some of it… Thanks & Happy New Year!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
This is the perfect recipe for you then Traci! Happy New Year to you too!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Crumble bars are the best! I love it even more with oatmeal!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I love them too! So easy and just delicious!
Sara says
I made these for the office and everyone loved them. I’m making another batch next week for a co-worker’s birthday. I’m thinking of making it a little more festive by doing a double batch and making it like a layer cake with some nutella between the two layers.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh my Sara! That sounds fabulous! Thanks for the sweet comment 🙂
mary says
Do you have to use yellow cake mix? I have a yellow cake recipe that I could use and I’d rather keep this all homemade
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Definitely worth a try Mary! Just don’t add the eggs, oil, water to your recipe since it’s just the dry mix that I’m using. Let me know how it turns out!
Rhonda says
Mmmmm…. JUST made them. DELICIOUS and so easy!
Thanks for the recipe.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You are so welcome Rhonda!! I’m so happy you enjoyed the bars – aren’t they ridiculously easy 🙂 Love this recipe!
Heidi says
What a yummy recipe. I had to pin it to by Blackberry Recipes board on Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/heidikennedy/blackberry-recipies/)
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much for the pin Heidi!
Jocelyn BruCrew Life says
I love how absolutely easy these are by using the cake mix! Cake mix is seriously the bomb! Now I wonder if I close my eyes if these will appear in front of me when I open them?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
If only 🙂 Thanks Jocelyn!
Lyuba@willcookforsmiles says
Oh wow! Yummo!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Lyuba!
Alyssa Rivers says
These look fantastic! I love crumble bars!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Alyssa!
Karly says
These bars look so fantastic, I think I could eat them for breakfast! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Why not? There’s oatmeal in there 🙂 Thanks Karly!
Wendy Hampton says
I DID eat them for breakfast. Maybe I’ll add some slices almonds…for protein you understand. (snicker)
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
YESSSS! Thanks Wendy 🙂
Lynn H @ Turnips 2 Tangerines says
What a great recipe:) Looks delicious and perfect for summer~Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you Lynn! It’s so easy too 🙂 Have a great week!
carissa says
oooh delish!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Carissa! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!