Living on the west coast of Ireland, you get used to the fact that autumn and winter bring stormy weather! The wind that howls, rain that pours, and the kind of grey skies that seem to stretch on forever. When it’s stormy outside, it makes me want to stay in, wrap up, and slow down.
After a hectic summer of outdoor adventures, road trips, and running around, I’ve been loving the chance to slow down. The kids and I have made a habit of baking together whenever the rain starts to fall. There’s something so satisfying about having a warm kitchen and the sweet comforting smell of baking filling the house.
Our latest go-to treat? Healthier Jammy Squares.
These squares are quick to make and perfect for days when you just hide under a blanket from the wind and the rain. They’ve got a perfect balance of oats, a sweet jam filling, and that golden crumble on top. The best part? They make the whole house smell amazing — which, on a rainy day, is basically magic.
Why You’ll Love These Healthier Jammy Squares
- Super Easy to Make: No complicated steps here! These jammy squares come together quickly. You mix, crumble, and bake — and the kids can get involved with squishing the dough, making it a family-friendly recipe. Plus, there’s minimal cleanup, so you can get to enjoying them even faster.
- Hearty & Wholesome: The oats give these squares a little extra substance, so they’re not just a sugary snack. The sweetness from the jam and the nutty oats, give the perfect balance between indulgent and a bit more wholesome.
- Freezer Friendly: These squares freeze beautifully, so you can stash some away for later.
Healthier jammy squares
Ingredients
- 180 g oats
- 120 g plain flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 60 g brown sugar swap for 50ml honey or maple if you wish
- 90 g butter at room temp
- 1 egg
- 1 jar Strawberry Jam -340g
Instructions
- Preheat the oven 180ºc fan, line a 20cm square tin with parchment paper.
- Measure the oats, flour, baking powder, sugar into a mixing bowl, stir to combine.
- Add in the butter and egg and use your hands to rub the crumble together. It will become soft and lumpy, keep rubbing until no dry bits remain.
- Tip half the crumble mix into the tray to make the base. Push the crumble down to flatten, use an extra piece of paper to help and get into the corners. Put this in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Take from the oven, add the full jar of jam, scatter on the remaining crumble. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden on top. Leave to cool then slice into squares.
- Good for 3 days in an air tight container.
- Freezer in ziplock bags for 3 months.
