Fruit-Filled Oatmeal Bars

Categories: Baked Goods, Breakfast/Brunch, Desserts, Kid Friendly
Contributed by: Kelly CA

I don't know about you guys, but, even when I'm trying to lose weight, I HAVE TO have one sweet thing a day. I was trying to find a recipe for fruit-filled cereal bars for Devon, because he LOVES them and I got sick of paying for them, because I'm cheap. I found this recipe and they are REALLY good. With only 116 calories and 3.9g of fat in each bar, they're not so bad. Not diet food, but, not totally evil. I actually made 1+ 1/2 of the recipe and cooked it in a 9x13x2 Pyrex baking pan.

1 hour 30 min prep time.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup margarine or butter
10 ounces preserves (I used seedless raspberry pres. that I cooked for a few minutes, so it was thicker)

DIRECTIONS

In mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and baking soda.
Cut in margarine/butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Reserve generous 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.

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.
_________________
Kelly