Strawberry-Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 4 tablespoons light brown sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups chopped fresh strawberries
• 3 tablespoons strawberry preserves

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat an 8-inch-square baking pan with cooking spray. Whisk milk, eggs, applesauce, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, vanilla, chia seeds, lemon zest, baking powder and salt in a large bowl until combined.
2. Fold oats and strawberries into the milk mixture until evenly coated. Spoon half of the oat mixture into the prepared pan; spread in an even layer. Spread preserves evenly over the oat mixture and spread the remaining oat mixture evenly over the preserves. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar over the top.
3. Bake until just set in the center and golden brown on top, about 35 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes before slicing. Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Linda Frahm