Fruit Filled Oatmeal Bars Recipes

FRUIT-FILLED OATMEAL BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture.
• Press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9x9x2-inch or 11x7x1-1/2-inch baking pan. Spread with desired filling. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until top is golden. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Apricot Filling
• In a medium saucepan combine apricots and the water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine sugar and flour; stir into apricot mixture. Cook and stir about 1 minute more or until thickened and bubbly. Raisin Filling
• In a medium saucepan combine the water, sugar, and cornstarch. Add raisins. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Apple-Cranberry Filling
• In a medium bowl combine applesauce, cranberries, cinnamon, and cloves. Easy Filling
• Use bottled mincemeat or pie filling.

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.