Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a hand mixer), combine the flour, oats, chopped almonds, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix for 30 seconds until thoroughly combined.
. With the mixer on low, add the butter and almond extract (if using). Mix until the mixture resembles coarse sand (about 2 minutes).
The dough should look like little peas.
Transfer half the mixture to the prepared pan. Use your hands or the back of a measuring cup to press mixture evenly into the bottom to form the crust. Bake crust for 20 minutes or until golden (keep the oven on).
Spread the sweet preserves over baked crust using n offset spatula. Next, add the chopped fresh strawberries on top.
Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top of the strawberries and place in the oven 30 to 35 minutes until golden.
Allow the strawberry oatmeal bars to cool for at least ten minutes before slicing them! Enjoy.