These Creamy Cherry Oat Bars with Fig Crunch Topping are a delicious layered dessert made with a creamy cherry filling, hearty oat crust, and a sweet, chewy fig topping for the perfect balance of tart, sweet, and crunchy.
Author:Emma Harper
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:35 minutes
Total Time:50 minutes
Yield:16 bars 1x
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup cherry preserves or cherry pie filling
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup dried figs, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped almonds or walnuts (optional)
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in melted butter until mixture is crumbly.
Press two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
Spread cherry preserves evenly over the crust. Then pour and spread the cream cheese mixture over the cherries.
In a small bowl, mix chopped figs, nuts (if using), and honey. Combine with the remaining oat mixture to form the topping.
Sprinkle the fig crunch topping evenly over the cream cheese layer.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars. Chill for cleaner cuts if needed.
Notes
Use fresh cherries cooked down with sugar as an alternative to preserves.
Substitute figs with dates or raisins if desired.
Bars store well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.