plum jam crumble bars

How To Make plum jam crumble bars

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  1

  Chop plums, leaving the skin on, and add them to a medium-sized pot.
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  2

  Add the light brown sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon, star of anise, and salt. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
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  3

  After 10 minutes, the plums should be softened. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to stir until the plums lose their shape and a thick jam forms. (You can use a potato masher to help move this process along - just remember to remove the star of anise first.)
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  4

  Once you have the desired consistency, remove from the heat and remove the star of anise, if you haven't already. Allow to cool completely.
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  5

  While the plum jam is cooling, chop the butter into cube-sized pieces.
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  6

  Add the butter to a food processor with the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cane sugar, and vanilla extract.
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  7

  Pulse on high to blend the oats until a buttery, crumbly mixture forms. It should be slightly compact in its consistency, with loose oats that can be easily molded into it.
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  8

  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x9 square baking dish with butter, then line it with parchment paper.
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  9

  Press 3/4 of the oat mixture into the baking pan. Use a spatula or your hand to press the mixture down to create an even bottom layer.
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  10

  Spread the cooled jam over the oat mixture and use a spatula to smooth the top.
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  11

  Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the top of the jam.
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  12

  Bake on the center rack of the oven for 30 minutes. Then broil on high for 2 minutes.
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  13

  Cool at least 20 minutes (ideally 30-45) before slicing.
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