Raspberry Oatmeal Cookie Bars

My friend from the beloved Galena days and college roommate, Shara, invited us over for dinner last Friday night. She gave us the assignment for the dessert. Fabulous! A chance to try a new recipe. After much searching on my favorite website Allrecipes.com I found this! Served warm with vanilla bean ice cream = positively sinful!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 8 inch square pan, and line with greased foil.
2. Combine brown sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and rolled oats. Rub in the butter using your hands or a pastry blender to form a crumbly mixture. Press 2 cups of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the jam to within 1/4 inch of the edge. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top, and lightly press it into the jam.
3. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.

Note: Be sure to spread the jam no closer than 1/4 inch to the edge of the pan. Jam will burn if it's any closer. I doubled the recipe thinking this recipe wouldn't be enough. We had lots of leftovers because it's so rich!

Servings: 12
Prep time: 15 min. Cook time: 40 min. Ready in: 55 min.
Amount per serving: 219 cal., 8.2 grams fat

- Mindy