Strawberry Jam & Pecan Granola Bars

Mr. Handsome and I spent last night watching some television and just relaxing.  Of course it just so happens we were watching one of our favourite shows, 'The Good Wife.'  After a three week hiatus, it's nice to settle in on the couch for a good hour of TV programming.  Ah, bliss.

Question.  How do you know you are married to a foodie?  
Answer.  When the word disbarment congers up recipe ideas, and has nothing to do with Will Gardner or the legal trouble he is in.
Here is my train of thought, follow along if you can.  Disbarment.  Emphasis on the bar.  As in Granola.  I'm hungry.

So after an early morning workout, I set out to make granola bars and fill the void that took place last night.  Taking inspiration from one of my favourite bars, Quaker Fruit Crumble.   I lived off them when I was pregnant with L.  So it's only fitting I try and replicate this @ home.  
Mmmm, sweetness from the jam, sandwiched between oats and pecans.  A recipe for success.  The hardest part was waiting the 3 hours for them to cool. 

Granola Disbarred.  Enjoy.  Jam sandwiched granola goodness.

Strawberry Jam & Pecan Granola Bars

Ingredients:
1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
1 1/2 cups Quaker quick oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup strawberry jam

Method:
Preheat oven to 350F.  Line 8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper.  Set aside.
In large bowl whisk together pecans, oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and baking soda.
In small bowl combine melted butter and maple syrup.  Pour over oat mixture, and stir till thoroughly combined.
Pour 2/3 of oat mixture into prepared baking pan.  Top with strawberry jam.  Crumble the remaining 1/3 oat mixture over top of jam.
Bake for 45 minutes.  Turning half way.
Allow bars to cool for 3 hours.  Cut into 16 bars.
Store in air-tight container for 1 week, or freeze.

Yields: 16 bars
Recipe adapted from Food & Wine