Guava Jam Bars Coconut Macadamia (Print version)

Buttery bars layered with guava jam and topped with a crunchy coconut macadamia oat crumble.

# Required ingredients:

→ Crust and Crumble

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
09 - 1/2 cup roasted macadamia nuts, roughly chopped

→ Filling

10 - 1 cup guava jam or guava paste, softened
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter until the mixture forms moist crumbles.
03 - Add coconut and chopped macadamia nuts to the mixture, stirring until evenly combined throughout.
04 - Reserve 1 cup of the crumble mixture for topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust base.
05 - In a small bowl, stir together guava jam and lime juice until smooth and well combined.
06 - Spread the guava mixture evenly over the crust layer. Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture uniformly over the jam layer.
07 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and jam is bubbling at the edges.
08 - Let cool completely in the pan. Lift out using parchment overhang and cut into 16 bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crumble is addictively buttery and crunchy, the kind of thing you'll find yourself picking at straight from the pan.
  • Guava and lime is a flavor combination that tastes fancy without requiring any special technique or ingredient hunting.
  • These bars hold up beautifully in a container, making them perfect for bringing to gatherings or saving for yourself through the week.
02 -
  • Do not skip the cooling step, no matter how tempting it is; warm bars will crumble apart, but completely cooled ones slice like they came from a professional kitchen.
  • If your guava jam is very thick or cold from the refrigerator, microwave it for 15 seconds before mixing with lime juice so it spreads without tearing your delicate crust layer.
03 -
  • Softening your guava jam in the microwave for just 15 seconds before stirring in lime juice prevents thin spots and ensures an even layer that bakes beautifully.
  • Press your crust firmly into the pan bottom; a loose crust will separate from the filling and create an unpleasant texture when you bite into a bar.
Return