Donnas Fruit Bars Recipes

FRUIT-FILLED OATMEAL BARS

Steps:

• In mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda.
• Cut in margarine/butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Reserve 1/2 cup of the flour mixture.
• Press remaining flour mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9x9x2 baking pan.
• Spread with desired filling.
• Sprinkle with reserved flour mixture.
• Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden.
• Cool in pan on wire rack.
• Cut into bars.
• FILLING OPTIONS:.
• ***Following cookbook's 'shortcut' suggestion of substituting 10 oz jar of preserves in place of homemade filling, I used a store-bought, very dense, low-moisture apple butter (like a thick jam). I have also tried it with blueberry preserves but the preserves were too moist--it made the bars sticky not good.***.
• RAISIN FILLING:.
• In medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Add 1 cup raisins. Cook & stir until thickened & bubbly.
• APPLE-CINNAMON FILLING:.
• Peel/core/chop 2 medium apples. In medium saucepan, combine apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a dash of ground cloves. Bring apple mixture to a boil; reduce heat & simmer 8-10 minutes or until apples are very tender.
• APRICOT-COCONUT FILLING:.
• In medium saucepan, combine 1 cup diced dried apricots and 3/4 cup water. Bring apricot mixture to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon all purpose flour. Stir into apricot mixture. Cook and stir 1 minute more or until mixture is very thick. Stir in 1/2 cup coconut.

DONNA'S SPANISH BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
• In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs one at a time and mix until light and fluffy. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and baking soda. Add dry ingredients to sugar mixture alternately with the buttermilk and vinegar. Mix well with an electric mixer for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until cookie feels firm.
• After cooling, cut cookie into 2 inch bars. Roll each bar in sugar and store in covered tins. This one of my favorite Christmas cookie recipes. Enjoy!!

DONNA'S FRUIT BARS

Steps:

• Combine the following in a medium saucepan: 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 1 stick butter (1/2 cup) 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ¼ teaspoon salt 1cup raisins 1 teaspoon vanilla Bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add the following: 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 cups flour (sifted after measuring) ¼ to ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional) Stir well to combine. Spread mixture on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Glaze while warm. Cool and cut into bars. Glaze: ¾ cup confectioner's sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon butter 1 tablespoon milk 1 tablespoon water Combine in saucepan and heat until well blended.