♥
As you may have heard, we’re in need of a little cheer around here today, something bright, warm and autumnal looking..
like these Carrot Cake Jam Bars.
Having an unexpected snow day meant running outside at 7:00 am in one’s robe to smash the snow off of precious groaning tree limbs,
many around the city snapped off like match sticks by the wet weight of the snow pack.
It was a day of cancelled appointments and rearranging of schedules, driving kids to the LRT.. and a 5 minute drive turned into 35 or longer.
It was a great time catch up on chores around the house, to straighten up the pantry.. only to discover a forgotten gem jar of homemade glossy Carrot Cake Jam! I’ve been reluctant to embrace fall, but it seems fall is inevitable now!
Classic Jam bar recipes usually are lighter in crumb and have the spring burst of Strawberry or Raspberry Jam flavors and they’re a great way to use up a surfeit of jam in your fridge.. that happens around here now and then.
With some time on my hands I was contented to spend some time creating a new Jam Bar, one with a taste of autumn in each bite.
♥
I’ll admit to having the occasional Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks..
they remind me of my Pumpkin Spice Latte Mix.
Fall also reminds me of my Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Scones with Maple Glaze..
And our granola jar is empty, so soon I’ll be making a batch of Gluten-Free Pumpkin Granola!
So I decided then and there that Pumpkin Spice and Cinnamon must be added to the crumb crust and topping.
I was hoping those flavors would complement the dollops of lovely spiced Carrot Cake Jam.
I was right for once;) Everything melded together beautifully and my family loved them!
If I made them again, I might add a pinch of cloves and nutmeg as well. If you don’t care for pumpkin spice, I would add a bit more cinnamon to substitute.
If you don’t have a few jars of Carrot Cake Jam, make some:D
or I’m sure you can substitute with Apricot or Peach Jam with a little cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves stirred in!
♥
I loved these Carrot Cake Bars.. and they almost made up for this..
and this..
My heart has been crushed along with my flowers!!
- 1/2 stick butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup oats
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup carrot cake jam
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Lightly butter a 9”x9” inch baking pan.
- Add the butter to a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and whisk. Then add the brown sugar and whisk to blend. Turn the mixer on low and slowly add the oats, flour, salt, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon. Mix until thoroughly blended.
- Press half of the mixture into the prepared pan. Press firmly to create a sturdy base.
- Then whisk the jam in a small bowl so that it is easier to spread. Using the back of a metal spoon, smear the jam over the base but do NOT bring the jam to the edges or it will burn and stick to the side of your pan. Stop with about 1/2 - 1” to spare.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over top.
- Bake for about 20 - 25 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.
- Remove and cool completely. Cut into bars with a serrated edged knife to serve.
These look and sound delicious, Barbara — wish I had some carrot cake jam!
I was so happy to find a jar.. but I was initially planning to “spice up” my apricot jam with some pumpkin spice and cinnamon. Bet it would work just fine:)
I’d say you need them – that snow so soon is incredible! I hope it was just a one off for the next few months 😉
It was just unbelievable.. temperatures are starting to climb now, so hopefully some of our gardens will recover!
Everything looks great!
🙂
Oh my, these do look tasty, but I had to go back to see your scone recipe and I must make these!! I can swap things to make them vegan. I want them with my morning coffee!
I love those scones.. this year I plan to make a bigger batch of pumpkin puree so I can make them for a few more months than last year:D
Oh I am so sad at the picture of your beautiful flowers under all that snow ! Although I have to say that never having lived in cities that snow, I do get a thrill every time I see it (or better still, am in it !). My friends all tell me that the first snow is always lovely – and then not so much when it melts and gets dirty, and you slip and fall on it haha
These bars look like the perfect way to spend indoors – not just making them, but eating them !
Snow is definitely beautiful.. and then not so much after a few days of it, they are right! Thanks so much, Carolyn!
They look the perfect food to cheer you up on a snowy September(!) day – I hope it all melts quickly and you get a few last warm days before autumn really sets in!
They did cheer me up.. for a few days but now they’re all gone, time to make more? No excuse, the sun is out again:D
A lovely snowy day could definitely be improved with a wonderful carrot cake meets jam dessert 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I love baking on snow days:)
Oh no Smidge, so sorry about the rain but boy of boy do your carrot cake jam bars look like they can solve world problems.
Have a beautiful day and here’s to your weather holding out a little longer before it has to get cold.
🙂 Mandy xo
I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, Mandy!
These bars sound so yummy! And look at all that snow–so unusual for September!
We’re used to it in May, even June.. but September?? Seriously, it might be time to move!!
Beautiful fabrics and plates Barbara. So sorry about the snow, far too early even if you do live in Calgary! After all, didn’t the snow from last winter just melt?
Haha.. you’re right.. it did just melt!! What am I doing here.. aarrgghh!
I thought I heard incorrectly when snow was mentioned on the weather channel, it is not even mid-September. Glad the Carrot Cake Bars almost made up for all that snow, how many inches did you get?
I’m glad to “take one for the team”.. Norma, it would break my heart if your garden got snow, there’d be so much more to lose!! xx
Smidge, they look delicious and gloriously autumnal, but snow already? Wow…hope the sun peeks back out for you for a bit longer.. xxx
Celia, I wasn’t even ready for autumn colors in my home and outdoors.. but snow was just too depressing. But, yes, the sun peeked out the days right after so all is almost melted!
I have only ever made raspberry jam bars before. I love the idea of a carrot version, think I definitely need to recreate your recipe!
They turned out so much better than expected, I was a bit nervous.. but so glad I went for it. They were chewier (I overcooked my jam a bit) so reminded me of a date square in texture:)
Is snow typically a part of your fall? It seems so early! I am definitely not ready for that. Your bars look delicious and you have inspired me to make pumpkin granola this weekend. It sounds perfect. I had my first cup of Starbucks’ pumpkin latte today. It is a delightful part of the changing seasons…even if it is too early.
I counted the little green Starbucks sticks in my car and realized I’ve had about 5 so far.. I’d better slow down or I’ll have to up my exercise program:D
I am with you—-my heart would be crushed to have that kind of snow on my flowers. Everything is still going strong here in the Pacific NW. But those jam bars are definitely cheery. If all else fails, bake.
I was discussing moving to your neck of the woods with my friend.. what an amazing growing season you must have, Carol!
Oh, my! That snowfall is a whopper for the season’s first! Poor Smidge. I hope everyone comes through smoothly, though I can’t see much hope for the flowers at this point. You and yours, however, I sincerely hope will pull through with your usual aplomb and no bent bumpers or bruised backsides. Jam bars must at the least make great preventive medicine for the time being. They sound wildly delicious.
Big hugs to you, Barb, and may the rest of the winter be kinder to you than its first visit!
Love,
Kathryn
Yes, it was a whopper.. so many trees have had to be cut down, devastating because they take 50+ years to grow to that stature. Our yard has younger trees so we were not as affected thankfully. Maybe this is it for snow for a very long time?? xx
I am going to try your recipe, they look delicious! Carrot cake is a family favorite so I know everyone will love these!
I saw on TV where you guys had gotten snow, hard to believe that it already snowed but I guess it is getting near that time of year again.
did you see my recent post, Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie!!
Have a great weekend Barbara!
Michael
http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2014/09/06/butterscotch-and-chocolate-chip-cookie-pie/
It must have been wonderful to view on tv from afar:D I haven’t stopped by your blog in a while and hope to catch up on some reading this weekend! Take care, Michael!!
These look so delicious, Smidge! I love all of your awesome recipes, and that you offer so many vegetarian/vegan options.
I was thinking I should try turning this one into a vegan, but not sure that pectin from a package is entirely vegan?? Thanks so much, Caitlin!!xx
Dare I say, the images of the snow are really beautiful. But it surely is too early for snow? What a shock. We have had an awful start to Spring here. Just one warm sunny day then the next, it was back to grey skies, cold temps and rain, rain, rain. It’s been raining for about a month now and I’m so sick of going out with an umbrella. Your bars look amazing. I hope that snowfall was a freak event of nature and that you have some warm days before winter sets in for real xx
Our weather has surely been changing, hasn’t it? I’m sorry to hear you’re suffering the same sort of spring we had. Our summer was hot, so I hope you get that in your part of the world! xx
Oh dear smidge. Your beautiful flowers!! What’ a surprise snow day at this time of the yr! I love the idea of carrot cake in the form of bars.. It looks delicious!
Love the spices and pumpkin too.
I love pumpkin and cinnamon spices in the fall, it makes the imminent possibility of winter so much more bearable! xx
how moist & delectable. Love this idea – perfect for a picnic.
What a beautiful fall treat! How special.