Easy California Prune Oatmeal Squares are filled with a delicious prune paste made from fresh California Prunes. They have a delicious oatmeal cinnamon crumble and just the right amount of sweetness in each bite.
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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.
Be sure to check out California Prunes online & on social media!
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 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!
1 1/2sticksbutter, unsalted and softened (12 Tbsp.)
1/2tsp.baking soda
1/2tsp.salt
Prevent 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.
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.
I am pleased with the results, however baking soda is mentioned but not listed among the ingredients list in the print version. Please clarify as I ended up omitting it
Hi Marie, thank you so much for the comment! 1/2 tsp. baking soda goes into the crumb mixture. I apologize for the confusion!! Thank you for stopping by Kroll’s Korner and making this recipe! Happy Holidays!
YES!!! These look amazing. I could eat them for breakfast every day. Thanks for the awesome recipe.
Tayler Ross
3 years ago
These oatmeal squares look delicious! I can’t wait to try them this week!
Taylor Kiser
3 years ago
These look so delicious! Perfect for a quick on the go breakfast or afternoon snack!
Heidy L. McCallum
3 years ago
I am one of the oddballs who love prunes and they are wonderful for your body. The kids even ate them which surprised me lol! I will be saving this recipe for making it again in the future.
Suzy
3 years ago
I can’t remember the last time I had a bar like this that tasted so good! We loved it!
Lauren Nagel
3 years ago
I love the idea of making these into bars! Yum!
Neha
3 years ago
Gosh these bars will make a perfect grab and go snacks in the morning! Loving the idea of adding prunes to it.
I am pleased with the results, however baking soda is mentioned but not listed among the ingredients list in the print version. Please clarify as I ended up omitting it
Hi Marie, thank you so much for the comment! 1/2 tsp. baking soda goes into the crumb mixture. I apologize for the confusion!! Thank you for stopping by Kroll’s Korner and making this recipe! Happy Holidays!
Thanks much for addressing this so promptly. I have frozen my batch and also just enjoyed one too. I have changed the rating to 5 stars. Great recipe!
My kids LOVED these!!
YES!!! These look amazing. I could eat them for breakfast every day. Thanks for the awesome recipe.
These oatmeal squares look delicious! I can’t wait to try them this week!
These look so delicious! Perfect for a quick on the go breakfast or afternoon snack!
I am one of the oddballs who love prunes and they are wonderful for your body. The kids even ate them which surprised me lol! I will be saving this recipe for making it again in the future.
I can’t remember the last time I had a bar like this that tasted so good! We loved it!
I love the idea of making these into bars! Yum!
Gosh these bars will make a perfect grab and go snacks in the morning! Loving the idea of adding prunes to it.
AHHH! These bars are perfect for breakfast! So delicious!
Thank you so much Lauren!!