We’re approaching the gift-giving season. This year, I’ve decided to make the special people in my life homemade gifts. Me being the foodie that I am, I’ve decided to look for and create delicious treats made with local ingredients. And what’s more local to BC than BC Blueberries.

The Blueberry Council of BC has lots of great recipes on their site. Everything from sweet to savoury – and it all can be made with delicious and local BC blueberries.

Here’s one of the recipes I love. Stay tuned for delicious Instagrams coming soon!

BLUEBERRY JAM ALMOND BARS

3 cups (450 g) B.C. Blueberries, fresh or frozen
1 cup (160 g) Sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) Orange zest
1 tbsp (15 mL) Orange juice

¾ cup (180 g) Salted butter, softened
1 cup (150 g) Brown sugar
1 cup (150 g) Whole wheat flour
1½ cups (150 g) Old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup (125 g) Ground almonds
1 tsp (5 mL) Cinnamon
1 tsp (5 mL) Baking powder

Directions:
Position oven rack in the centre and pre-heat to 350°F/175°C.
In a saucepan, bring the blueberries, sugar, orange zest and orange juice to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring frequently for 15-20 minutes until reduced by almost half. Set aside to cool completely.
Lightly grease a 9″ x 9” baking pan and line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar for a minute until fluffy.
In another bowl, mix the flour, oats, almonds, cinnamon and baking powder.
In three intervals, add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and mix with a spoon until crumbly.
Press ¾ of the crumb mixture to the bottom of the lined pan and pour the cooled blueberry jam over top. Sprinkle with the remaining crumb mixture and press down lightly.
Bake for 37-40 minutes until golden brown.
Allow to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate until cold and cut 3” into bars.