CRANBERRY OAT BARS

“Time for a little prep work. Time to try out a holiday recipe.  Time for a little cranberry action.  With the tart taste of cranberries and the crumbly texture of an oat bar, this treat would make a fine addition to any holiday spread.  So ho, ho, ho and bake away.”

½ cup Sugar

2 cups Fresh Cranberries

2 Tablespoons Orange Marmalade

2 teaspoons Lemon Zest

2 Tablespoons Water

1½ cups Flour

1 cup Brown Sugar

½ teaspoon Baking Powder

½ teaspoon Salt

1½ cups Quick Cooking Oats

10 Tablespoons Butter

 

In a sauce pan, combine sugar, cranberries, orange marmalade, lemon zest, and water.

On high heat, stir occasionally, while bringing to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium and cook for an additional 5 minutes, while stirring frequently.

Transfer to a bowl (the contents should now equal about 1 cup) and loosely cover with plastic wrap.

Chill for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and oats.

Cut in the butter.

Line the interior of a 9”x9” baking pan with aluminum foil.

Coat the aluminum covered pan with cooking spray.

Press ½ of the oat mixture into the bottom of the pan.

Spread on the chilled cranberry mixture.

Crumble the remaining ½ of the oat mixture and sprinkle on top of the cranberry layer.

Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges and top are light brown.

Cool completely on a wire rack before removing from the pan and cutting into bars.

 

Makes about 25 bars.

Revised Source: “Cranberry Oat Bars” recipe, as found in “All You” magazine.