If you’re a fan of soft, chewy, fruity dessert bars with a slight bakery-style vibe, get ready to add this Savannah Bars Recipe to your dessert repertoire.
These bars feature buttery oat crumble, sweetened raspberry jam, and a perfectly baked, golden topping – and texture in each bite that is equal parts crunch and melt-in-your-mouth.
Savannah bars are perfect for friends, lunch boxes, or an afternoon snack; their resilient rustic texture provides that classic, “everyone digs in” dessert you gravitate towards at parties or potlucks.
This recipe is forgiving and super easy for any baker; you cannot mess this one up.
More recipes like this: Don’t forget to try our olive garden black tie mousse cake recipe, olive garden chocolate lasagna recipe, or bjs salted caramel pizookie recipe!
Why You’ll Love Savannah Bars
With the rolled oats, these Savannah bars have an irresistibly chewy texture, and the buttery crumble base is a classic comforting richness. The flavors balance out nicely in every bite with oatmeal cookie flavor and a bright sweetness from the berries.
They are quick to mix together, bake in just one pan, and slice into nice squares for easy serving. They can be stored for a week and are great for meal prep or a snack on the go.
These easy bars can also be customized nearly any jam. Raspberry is always a classic, but strawberry or blueberry would be great, too! Once you make them, I’m sure they will become a dessert staple in your house.
Ingredients Required for Savannah Bars Recipe
Before you start, make sure you have all the following ingredients listed below for this Savannah Bars Recipe
Dry Mix & Crumble
- 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups (178 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar
Butter
- 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
Filling
- 1 cup (240 g) seedless raspberry jam
- (Or substitute strawberry, blueberry, or mixed berry)
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Fork or pastry blender
- 8×8-inch baking dish
- Foil for lining
- Serrated knife
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 35 minutes
How To Make Savannah Bars
Just follow these easy steps to make your own Savannah Bars at home
1. Prepare Your Oven & Baking Pan
To start off, you will want to set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Then, line an 8×8 baking pan with foil leaving a 2-inch overhang on the outside of the pan which will help ease of pulling off foil and cutting the bars into squares. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, rolled oats, and brown sugar. If the brown sugar has any lumps, break them up so the brown sugar stays consistent and mixed with the other ingredients. Stir until well blended.
3. Add the Butter
Next, add room-temperature butter to the dry mixture. Use a fork, pastry blender or your clean hands to work the butter into the mixture until the mixture is crumbly and holds together when squeezed.
4. Make the Crust Layer
Pour about two-thirds of the mixture into the baking pan. Press firmly with your clean hands to make an even base layer.
5. Add a Jam Layer
Spread the raspberry jam evenly across the base layer on the crust, leaving a little bit of space on the edges. With the rest of the crust, make a big ball, break them into cherry-sized pieces. Scatter this over the jam evenly and pat down slightly.
6. Bake, Cool & Slice
Bake for about thirty-five minutes, or until the top is starting to turn golden and the edges are bubbly. Allow to completely cool in the pan. When cool, lift using the foil and slice squares using a serrated knife.
How to Store Savannah Bars Properly?
Savannah bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy them warm, reheat the square in the microwave for 10–12 seconds. They taste wonderful whether you eat them fresh, cold, or slightly warm, as they maintain a great chewy texture.
What to Pair and Serve with Savannah Bars
1. With a Hot Cup of Earl Grey Tea
We’ve found that the citrusy bergamot in Earl Grey brightens the raspberry notes beautifully.
2. Warm with a Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
Heating the bars for just 10 seconds makes them extra gooey, and the cold ice cream melts into the crumble.
3. Alongside Fresh Berries
A handful of fresh raspberries or blueberries elevates the fruity layer and adds natural sweetness.
4. Paired with a Light Roast Coffee
We often serve these bars at brunch, and the nutty flavor of a light roast balances the buttery crumble.
5. With a Dollop of Whipped Cream
Homemade whipped cream adds cloudlike softness that contrasts perfectly with the chewy oat base.
6. Crumble Over Greek Yogurt
For a quick breakfast, we’ve crumbled leftover Savannah Bars over chilled yogurt. Absolutely delicious.
7. Drizzled with Warm White Chocolate
A thin drizzle of white chocolate creates a dessert-level treat without overpowering the raspberry jam.
8. Served with Lemon Sorbet
The bright citrus cuts through the sweetness and turns it into a refreshing summer dessert.
9. With a Glass of Cold Milk
This is our go-to after-school snack pairing for kids. Classic, simple, and satisfying.
10. As a Cheesecake Topping
We sometimes crumble a bar or two over a slice of vanilla cheesecake. The texture combo is incredible.
My Personal Experience With this Recipe and Some Tips
I love making these Savannah Bars because they always turn out perfect. The kitchen smells warm and sweet, and the bars come out chewy, soft, and full of flavor. My family always grabs them fast. They are simple, quick, and feel like a happy homemade treat every time.
Tips for This Recipe
1. Use soft butter so everything mixes easy.
2. Press the bottom layer down so it stays firm.
3. Leave a small edge when spreading the jam.
4. Make big crumble chunks, then break them up.
5. Bake until the top looks golden.
6. Let the bars cool before cutting.
FAQs on Savannah Bars Recipe
Here are some common questions I’ve got you covered about the Savannah Bars Recipe.
1. Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
From our testing, quick oats make the bars too soft and pasty. Old-fashioned oats give that perfect chewy texture Savannah Bars are known for.
2. My mixture looks too dry. Did I do something wrong?
Most of the time, it just needs more mixing. Once the butter fully blends in, the mixture turns perfectly crumbly and holds together when squeezed.
3. Can I substitute the raspberry jam with another flavor?
Absolutely. We’ve made these with strawberry, apricot, and even blueberry jam. Just stick with a seedless jam for the cleanest texture.
4. Why should I leave a half-inch border when spreading the jam?
Experience has taught us that jam spread to the edges tends to bubble over and burn. Leaving a border keeps everything tidy and perfectly baked.
5. Do these bars freeze well?
Yes, beautifully. We freeze them for up to 3 months. They thaw quickly and taste just as fresh as the day you baked them.
6. Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Just bake it in a 9×13 pan and add 5–10 extra minutes of bake time. We do this often for parties.
7. Why is my crumble topping too fine?
You likely didn’t squeeze the mixture into large clumps before sprinkling. Making big “boulders” first gives you bakery-style crumble.
8. How do I know when the bars are fully baked?
The top should be golden and the jam lightly bubbling around the edges. We’ve learned not to overbake; they firm up as they cool.
9. Can I cut them before they cool completely?
We’ve tried… and they fall apart. Full cooling is the key to clean, tidy slices.
10. What’s the best way to cut them neatly?
A serrated knife works wonders. We wipe the blade between slices for the cleanest results.
These Savannah bars are crunchy, chewy, fruity, and oh so comforting. You’ll find yourself wanting to make these again and again because they’re so simple and remind you of the good ‘ol days. If you like homemade treats with a warm invitation, this is a recipe you want in your repertoire.
Give these bars a try today, and let me know how they turn out; happy baking!
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