Fruit

Double-Layered Guava Crumble Bar

by:
April  2, 2013
4.6
5 Ratings
  • Prep time 45 minutes
  • Cook time 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Makes 16 squares
Author Notes

It is amazing what the combination of a pantry clean up and announcement of the Food52 contest on the same day can do! I had a big unopened box of cornflakes and a tin of guava paste that were both nearing their expiration date, so of course, I started racking my brain to find ideas to use them up.
Since I love fruity, crunchy desserts, I had been eyeing this recipe http://www.food.com/recipe..., as well as this one http://allrecipes.com/recipe..., for the longest time. This contest seemed just the right time to try my hand at adapting these recipes!
Once I had decided to use the guava filling, adding coconut and lime seemed like the perfect thing to do! The combination smelled incredible as it baked in the oven and it also helped to make the crumble bars not too sweet! Since I have been trying to make my baked goods a bit healthier, I also subbed the butter with coconut oil and decided to throw in the cornflakes to make the bars crunchy and chewy!
I knew right away that I wanted to make a double layered crumble bar - if one layer tasted good, then why not add another one, right?! Although cooking the layers one by one might seem a little fussy, it ensures that each and every layer gets to be crumbly and crunchy!
Guava is one of my favorite fruits, so I added an insane amount of the paste in this recipe. Should you sub it with a runnier jam/preserve, you will need to use quite a bit less.
Enjoy!
Madhuja

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Ingredients
  • 1 cup coconut oil, at room temperature
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • zest and juice of 2 limes
  • 2 cups All purpose flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 3 cups cornflakes
  • 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 21 ounces guava paste, thinly sliced (I used the Guayaquil brand)
Directions
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer whip the coconut oil and brown sugar until thoroughly blended. Add the 2 eggs and mix well. Add the vanilla, lime juice and zest and mix for a few more seconds
  2. Add the flour, rolled oats, cornflakes, sweetened coconut flakes, baking powder and kosher salt. Using the lowest setting, mix until everything is well combined and the dough is starting to pull away from the sides. Stash it in the fridge for 30 minutes and start preheating the oven at 375F, with a rack positioned in the middle of the oven.
  3. While the dough sits in the fridge, prep the baking pan. Thoroughly grease an 8 inch square pan with butter. Place a large piece of parchment paper in the pan, with enough to drape over the edges, and butter that too. You are going to use the extra parchment paper on the sides to help lift the crumble bar out of the pan.
  4. Once the dough has chilled for half an hour, take it out of the fridge. Pat down two cups of the dough into the bottom of the pan (return the rest of the dough to the fridge) and using either your palm or another piece of parchment paper, pack it into a smooth, compact layer. Bake it for 10 minutes until the top is beginning to get golden brown.
  5. Now it's time to add the first layer of guava paste! Take the pan out of the oven and layer half of the thinly sliced guava paste on top of the base layer. Since the paste is not going to become too gooey in the baking process, you do no€™t have to leave too much of a border on the sides. Be careful, the baking pan is going to be warm! Scoop out two cups of the chilled dough (and return the rest back to the fridge). Crumble the two cups of dough all over the guava paste and using a piece of parchment paper, press it down into as smooth a layer as you can. Do not worry if it is somewhat lumpy at places, it is all going to work out just fine! Bake for 15 minutes until the top is golden brown.
  6. Time to add the second layer! Take the baking pan out of the oven and layer the rest of the guava paste slices on top. Careful, the pan is going to be pretty hot by now! Crumble the rest of the dough (should be about 2 cups) on top of the guava, and again use the parchment paper to smooth out the top. Bake for about 40 minutes, until the top is a beautiful golden brown and is firm to the touch.
  7. Put the pan on a wire rack and let it cool completely. Using the extra parchment paper on the sides, gently lift out the crumble bar. Cut into squares and enjoy!

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14 Reviews

Beth B. July 29, 2023
I had to make these twice. First try I baked in a metal square pan and by 38 min on the 3rd bake they were really burnt on the bottom and sides and unsalvageable. I tried the second time in a glass dish and moved the rack up one more notch in the oven and only baked the 3rd time about 20 minutes. Perfect and oh so good and lovely! Cut in little bite size squares for a Tiki Bar party and dusted with powdered sugar. I found that the 14.5 oz block of guava paste was enough for the whole recipe. I will make these again. Thank you for the inspiration.
Jessica March 24, 2020
Smells great baking, but after 20 minutes on the third bake it seems done. Is 40 minutes correct for this step?
Yalda H. May 15, 2013
i just love this recipe amazing
http://t.co/h7LzPmJQJq
Madhuja May 15, 2013
Thanks, Yalda! :)
aargersi April 15, 2013
I made these Saturday. They are fantastic! We all need more guava cereal bars in our lives!
Bevi April 15, 2013
Wow. So glad to hear that.
Madhuja April 15, 2013
Yay! I am so glad you liked them! :)
Madhuja April 15, 2013
Thanks, Bevi! :)
gingerroot April 11, 2013
These are calling my name...yum!
Madhuja April 12, 2013
Thank you, gingerroot!
Bevi April 9, 2013
I have been eyeing these - they look beautiful!
Madhuja April 10, 2013
Thank you so much, Bevi! Hope you try them soon!
aargersi April 3, 2013
This sounds amazing - the bottom layer is OK baking 3 times? On my to try list!!!
Madhuja April 3, 2013
The bottom layer was absolutely fine - not a burnt spot in sight! I guess putting it in the middle of the oven really helped. If you try it, please let me know how it went! :)