Cherry Oatmeal Bars Recipes

CHERRY OAT BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. In another bowl, combine the butter, honey, eggs and vanilla. Stir into oat mixture until combined. Set aside 1-1/3 cups for topping., Press remaining oat mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Combine preserves and dried cherries; spread over crust. Sprinkle with coconut and reserved oat mixture; press down lightly., Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

CHERRY OATMEAL BARS RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Line 9-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides; spray with cooking spray. Mix cornstarch and water until blended.
• Bring cherries, lemon juice and 1/4 cup granulated sugar to boil in medium saucepan on medium-high heat, stirring frequently; simmer on medium heat 5 min. or until cherries are softened, stirring occasionally. Add cornstarch mixture; cook and stir 1 to 2 min. or until thickened. Remove from heat.
• Mix flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda in large bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture forms coarse crumbs; press half onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 min. Meanwhile, mix cream cheese, egg and remaining granulated sugar until blended.
• Pour cream cheese mixture over crust; top with cherry mixture and remaining crumb mixture.
• Bake 25 to 30 min. or until golden brown. Cool completely. Use foil handles to lift dessert from pan before cutting into bars.

CHERRY OAT BARS (FROM A CAKE MIX)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375. Prepare a 9x13 pan.
• In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, oats and butter until butter has been evenly distributed and entire mixture is crumbly. (See Note #1 at end for directions to make a lower-fat option).
• Press TWO-THIRDS the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• In a separate bowl, mix the preserves with water and spread over the crust. (See Note #2 at end, regarding jam).
• Add pecans to the remaining ONE THIRD oat mixture and crumble this over the top, allowing some of the cherry filling to show through.
• Bake 375 for 28-30 minutes (34-36 minutes if you are doing the lower-fat option), or until the top is lightly browned and the center doesn't collapse when you press lightly.
• For best results, cut into bars after the bars are set and cooled (I like to cover with foil and cut into bars the next day).
• NOTE #1: For lower-fat option, instead of 3/4 cup butter, use 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup applesauce.
• NOTE #2: A 10 oz. jar of Smuckers "Simply Fruit" is about 1 cup. Use the whole jar.