Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. It's essential to ensure the oven is ready before placing your squares in to bake, for even cooking.
- Grease a brownie bar pan, or opt for a standard 8x8 inch square baking pan. This will prevent the squares from sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter with a beater until it’s pale and fluffy. This step adds air, which is crucial for texture.
- Add the large egg, honey, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture and beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, combine the spelt flour with the baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. This mixture will provide your squares with the right rise and flavor.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir to combine until there are no dry clumps.
- Stir in the old-fashioned oats and sliced almonds until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. The dough should feel fairly stiff at this point.
- Divide the dough in half and form twelve 1-inch sized balls from each half of the dough, totaling twenty-four balls.
- Press twelve of the balls of dough into the cavity of the bar pan. Leave a little space around the edges.
- Spread your choice of fruit jam on top of the dough, taking care to leave a border around the edges to prevent spillage.
- Flatten the remaining balls of dough and lay them on top of the jam squares. Gently press down around the edges to seal them well.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden brown. Stay close and keep an eye on them!
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the squares sit for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container where they will keep well for 3 to 4 days. Enjoy!
Notes
If using an 8x8 inch square baking pan, press half of the dough onto the bottom, spread the jam over, then gently press the other half of the dough on top. Bake as directed. Let it cool and then cut into squares.