Buttery oat bars with apple and mincemeat, cut into four generous dessert portions.
Serves 4 | Preparation: 20 minutes | Cooking: 40 minutes | Total: 90 minutes
Times include the chilling, soaking or resting stated in the method. Cooking times are a guide: check tenderness and doneness before serving.
Ingredients
150 g plain flour
80 g rolled oats
100 g cold unsalted butter, cubed
60 g soft brown sugar
200 g apples, peeled, cored and coarsely grated, prepared weight
150 g vegetarian mincemeat
½ tsp cinnamon
Method
Heat oven to 180°C conventional / 160°C fan. Line a 20 cm square tin with baking paper, leaving handles.
Rub butter into flour, then stir in oats, sugar and cinnamon. Press two-thirds firmly into the tin.
Squeeze excess juice from grated apple and mix the apple with mincemeat. Spread over the base, leaving a small border.
Scatter the remaining crumble over the filling, pressing only lightly.
Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and the edges are firm. Leave in the tin for 30 minutes to set before lifting out and cutting into four large portions or eight smaller squares. Total includes this cooling time.
Variations and substitutions
Use our green tomato mincemeat if made and stored safely, or a bought vegetarian version. A little grated orange zest suits the filling. Use dairy-free block instead of butter. Check mincemeat for alcohol, nuts and suet ingredients if relevant.
Homegrown and seasonal produce
Stored eating apples work well because they release less water than cooking apples. These bars also use a small jar of preserved fruit filling without opening several jars.
Storage and freezing
Cool promptly, cover and refrigerate within 2 hours at 5°C or below; eat within 48 hours. Freeze without cream, yoghurt or custard in labelled portions for up to 3 months for best quality. Defrost in the fridge and use within 24 hours. Reheat only once until piping hot throughout if serving warm.
Find more ideas in the complete recipe menu. Explore our growing guide finder and From Garden to Kitchen guide, or plan your next harvest with Your Growing Companion.
Stock photograph illustrating ingredients or a serving idea. These recipes are practical ideas to try; they are not presented as all having been tested in my kitchen.
