Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal Bars

I was looking for an easy bar that included some healthy oatmeal (like how I did that? healthy oatmeal counteracts butter, didn't you know?) and found this in what seems to be my cookbook of the week, Better Homes and Gardens.


You end up with a nice, chunky bar with a buttery crust and a fruity filling. These are great for dessert, but also a nice sweet treat for breakfast!


Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal Bars
from Better Homes and Gardens
Makes 24 bars


1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup quick-cooking or old fashioned rolled oats
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small cubes


Filling:
1 cup (chunky or smooth) applesauce
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
dash ground cloves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


In a medium bowl combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda. Cut in butter using a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture.


Press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 11 x 7 baking dish. Make sure you press firmly into the pan - you are making a crust.


Combine all filling ingredients in small bowl. Spread over crumb mixture in baking dish. Sprinkle with reserved 1/2 cup crumb mixture.


Bake 30-35 minutes, until top is golden and filling is set. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.