Love Grown Foods kindly sent a generous box of their granola, and I was thrilled to try it. I’m a bit obsessed with granola—I stir it into cookie batter, mix it with peanut butter and fruit, and I can’t imagine eating yogurt without a crunchy spoonful on top. Their flavors were excellent, and they work beautifully in both sweet and savory dishes. If you enjoy crunchy, wholesome toppings and snacks, this recipe is a great place to start experimenting with granola in desserts.
I was especially impressed with the Sweet Cranberry Pecan variety, which carried a warm hint of cinnamon, but every flavor has its own appeal. Granola is extremely versatile: try Apple Walnut Delight sprinkled over baked apples, use Cocoa Goodness to make chocolate chip granola cookies, or fold Raisin Almond Crunch into oatmeal cookie dough. For this post, I created a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert—Strawberry Granola Squares—that highlights the granola’s texture and flavor while staying easy to prepare.
These granola squares are crisp on the edges, tender in the center, and easy to customize based on the granola you have on hand. I used the Sweet Cranberry Pecan in my batch, and the combination of tart strawberry preserves and cinnamon-kissed granola was excellent. You can swap in any fruit preserves you prefer, or try a mixed-berry jam for a slightly more complex flavor. The base is a simple crumb crust made from granola, flour, brown sugar, and butter, with a layer of preserves baked until it bubbles at the edges. Once cooled, the bars hold together nicely and make a convenient snack or a portable dessert.
Below you’ll find the full recipe, ingredient measurements, and step-by-step instructions. There are also a few serving and storage suggestions to help you get the best results.
RECIPE
Strawberry Granola Squares
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home (adaptation credited to original source).
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granola of your choice
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 5 Tbsp cold butter
- 1 cup strawberry preserves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, combine the granola, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut the cold butter into small pieces and work it into the mixture using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips until the mixture becomes crumbly and evenly moistened.
- Reserve about one-third of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan to form the crust.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven. Spread the strawberry preserves evenly over the hot crust, taking care to leave a small border so the filling does not overflow while baking.
- Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the layer of preserves. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden.
- Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into squares and store them in the refrigerator for best texture. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Serving Size: 1 square • Calories: 174.5 • Fat: 5.5 g • Carbs: 30 g • Fiber: 1 g • Protein: 2 g • WW Points+: 5 pts
Variation tips: Substitute your favorite jam or preserves—apricot, raspberry, or mixed berry all work well. For extra chew, fold in 1/4 cup chopped nuts or dried fruit into the granola mixture. If you prefer a firmer bar, press the crust more tightly before baking and allow extra cooling time.
Storage: Store the granola squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the squares in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator before serving.