Wednesday, January 28, 2009

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.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just recently found your blog and saw this recipe! Yummy. Did you all eat this as a breakfast bar or as a snack? I love my BHG cookbook but I always forget about it and the tasty recipes in it.

BMK said...

These look great!

Anonymous said...

HOW YUMMY! I love bars with oatmeal and apple cran is SUCH a great flavor combo! Starred!

Maria said...

These bars look nice and thick! I love the apple cranberry combo too!

Anonymous said...

Had one for breakfast...delicious! Thanks!!!

What's Cookin Chicago said...

These look like a great treat that isn't too sweet!

Linds said...

These looks great, I love the apple/cranberry combination and your rationale about the oatmeal offsetting the butter is spot on! ;)

Donna-FFW said...

I love the combination of cranberry, apple, and oatmeal. BHG has some great recipes, don't they? These look wonderful..

Colleen said...

@ eatsandtreats - I have been eating them for breakfast AND after lunch! I can't help myself!

@ Linds - haha, I like my rationale, too!

@ Donna - BHS is my go-to book for classic, basic recipes!

The Blonde Duck said...

These would fit with Ben's diet, right? :) They look so good! I'm going on a baking binge soon..I can't take this.

test it comm said...

Those oatmeal bars look good!