Apricot Ginger Crumble Oat Bars (gf)

Slightly buttery,crunchy with the great oat flavor,and then the filling. Oh,that filling is definitely mouthwatering! Apricots and the slighlty citrucy and peppery ginger are meant to be together!

These bars,is a great way to transform fruits and oats into something every kid,big and small will devour!

Crumb layer:

• 1 cup gf all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup rolled old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)

Apricot ginger Filling:

• 2 cups apricots,pitted and diced
• 1 Tbsp fresh ginger,finely diced
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch

1. For the crumb layer:
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 8×8 inch baking dish and line with parchment paper, grease parchment.
3. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.
4. Add in oats, brown sugar and granulated sugar and whisk to blend, while using fingertips to break up small clumps of brown sugar.
5. Pour melted butter,almond extract and vanilla over oat mixture.
6. Stir with a spatula until mixture is moistened.Press 2/3 of the mixture into prepared baking dish, set aside remaining 1/3.

For the filling:

1. Add diced apricots and ginger to a medium mixing bowl.
2. In a small bowl whisk together sugar and cornstarch. Pour sugar mixture over apricot mixture and toss to coat.
3. Pour apricot mixture over bottom crumb layer in baking dish.Sprinkle remaining 1/3 crumb mixture over top.
4. Bake top is golden brown and crisp and filling is bubbling, about 35 – 40 minutes.Cool completely then cut into squares.