This is the time of year when we spend a lot of time in the kitchen making holiday treats, and Texas Pepper Jelly’s Pepper Jelly Oatmeal Bars are one of our favorites – we’re pretty sure your family will think so, too!

Here’s how to make our delicious (and nutritious!) pepper jelly oatmeal bars. It’s time. Christmas Time!

Oatmeal bar ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups oatmeal (quick oats or regular)
• 1 cup flour (you can use rice flour and regular flour)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (don’t use fake)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (don’t leave it out)
• 1 1/2 sticks butter (don’t use margarine)
• 1 cup Texas Pepper Jelly, any flavor.

How to make oatmeal bars for breakfast:

In a large mixing bowl, put all the ingredients except the butter and jam. Melt the butter and add to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Press half the mixture into a medium baking pan. You can butter the pan or use parchment paper. Don’t line the pan with foil, everything will stick to it. Spread the pepper jelly over the pressed mixture; feel free to use more than a cup if you think you need more. Crumble the rest of the buttery oat mixture over the jam.

Bake in a 350° F oven for about a half-hour (30 minutes) or until the top is browned to your liking. After twenty minutes, watch your oven carefully.

Let the bars cool completely, and cut into squares.

This recipe is easily doubled or even tripled. Just do the math.