Easy California Prune Oatmeal Squares

This post has been sponsored by The California Prune Board. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Kroll’s Korner running!

Creating these Easy California Prune Oatmeal Squares

I know what you are thinking…and the answer is no, they are not just your grandmother’s favorite food!

I recently visited a prune orchard and drying facility in California and fell even more in love with prunes and prunes benefits.

California Prunes have a place in everyone’s diet: toddlers, teens, adults and elderly. That’s why I adore these bars because I can make them for all audiences; my nephew, my friends or the grandparents in my life. 

California Prune Nutrition and Facts: 

Prunes benefits…

• Research says consuming 5-6 prunes a day may support healthy bones.
• Prunes support good gut health.
• Boosting antioxidant intake can help provide added protection against heart, eye, memory and immune systems. 
• California Prunes taste and pair like no other prunes in the world. They are fresh and sweet, have a reliable consistency and have a rich, smooth mouthfeel. 
• A serving of 4-5 prunes has 280 mg potassium and 23 mcg of vitamin K. Potassium helps muscles contract and vitamin K helps to improve calcium balance & promotes bone mineralization. 

Ingredients to make these California Prune Oatmeal Squares

• California Prunes
• Lemon Juice
• Brown sugar 
• Vanilla Extract
• Cinnamon
• Quick cook oats
• Flour
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Baking Soda
• Salt

How to make California Prune Oatmeal Squares 

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Spray an 8×8 inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.

Make the prune filling next: in a food processor, process 8 oz. of California Prunes with ¼ cup lemon juice, cinnamon, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Process for 1-2 minutes or until prunes are blended well into a paste. 

Make the oatmeal crumb mixture next: In a medium sized bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients: oatmeal, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. 

Take the softened butter and using clean hands, mix into the dry ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press half of the oatmeal mixture down into the pan to create the base layer. 

Evenly spread the prune mixture across the bottom oatmeal layer.

Then gently press the remaining crumb mixture on top.

Bake for 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let cool completely and then cut into squares. 

Store in an airtight container at room temperature or freeze for up to 2 months. 

Other ways to enjoy California Prunes

• They go well with proteins such as chicken or fish
• Grains; perfect in focaccia bread, diced in pilaf or couscous, or on cereal
• Add chopped prunes to your salads
• Cook them down to make sauces
• Incorporate them into baked goods such as muffins or cookies.

These Oatmeal California Prune Squares are…

• Simple to make
• Only require 10 ingredients 
• A perfect treat for all ages
• Flavorful and ultra-tasty
• Sweet, but not too sweet. They’re just right!
• Great for someone new to prunes!

the goods

Square 8×8 Baking Dish

Buy Now →

Food Processor

Buy Now →

Easy California Prune Oatmeal Squares

These prune bars are filled with a delicious prune paste made from fresh California Prunes. They have a delicious oatmeal crumble and just the right amount of sweetness in each bite!

4.88 from 25 reviews

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

cooling time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings: 9 bars

Calories: 387kcal

Author: Tawnie Graham of Kroll’s Korner

1x2x3x

Ingredients

For the California Prune filling

• ▢ 8 oz. California Prunes, pitted and dried
• ▢ 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• ▢ 1/4 cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
• ▢ 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• ▢ 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

For the oatmeal crumb topping

• ▢ 1 1/2 cups quick cook oatmeal, dry
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose flour
• ▢ 1 cup brown sugar, packed (or coconut sugar)
• ▢ 1 1/2 sticks butter, unsalted and softened (12 Tbsp.)
• ▢ 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• ▢ 1/2 tsp. salt

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350° F. Spray an 8×8 inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.
• Remove butter from fridge to soften.
• Make the prune filling: in a food processor, process 8 oz. of California Prunes (chop them into smaller pieces if needed) with ¼ cup lemon juice, cinnamon, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Process for 1-2 minutes or until prunes are blended well into a paste. 
• Make the oatmeal crumb mixture next: In a medium sized bowl, combine the dry ingredients: oats, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. 
• With clean hands, mix softened butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press half of the oatmeal mixture down into the pan to crease the crust layer.
• Evenly spread the prune mixture on top.
• Then sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top and press lightly into the prune paste. 
• Bake for 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let cool completely and then cut into squares. 

Video

Find Kroll’s Korner on Instagram!Mention @krolls_korner or tag #krollskorner

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 57.7g | Protein: 4.5g

Hi, I’m Tawnie!

Welcome to my tiny “korner” on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, don’t tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.

More about Tawnie