Cranberry Sauce Oat Bars
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Prep: 
Cook: 
Total time: 
Serves: 20
 
Ingredients
  • 1½ cups whole wheat flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1½ cups quick oats
  • 1½ - 2 cups cranberry sauce (recipe below)
  • INGREDIENTS FOR CRANBERRY SAUCE:
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ¾ cup orange juice
  • 1 bag (12 oz) whole cranberries
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
  1. Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Rub in butter with fingers or cut in with pastry blender. Add brown sugar and oats. Mix well with fingers.
  2. Spread ½ of the crumbs in a greased 9x13" or 11”x11” pan. Pat to smooth.
  3. Cover with cranberry sauce.
  4. Cover with remaining crumbs. Press down firmly.
  5. Bake at 325º for 30-35 minutes, then increase heat to 375 and bake another 3-5 minutes to brown slightly. Allow to cool in pan before slicing into squares.
  6. FOR CRANBERRY SAUCE:
  7. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together sugar and orange juice until sugar is dissolved. Stir in the cranberries and cook until the cranberries start to pop (about 10 minutes). Very quickly stir in cornstarch and let simmer for another minute. Remove from heat and mash with the back of a fork to achieve desired consistency - personally, I don't like any whole berries to be left standing :)
  8. Let cool to room temperature. Sauce will thicken as it cools. Store at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
These bars can be stored in an airtight container (or covered in the baking dish) at room temperature for up to a week. They can be frozen for longer storage. The cranberry sauce can be made ahead, as it keeps very well, covered, at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week. Source: Original Hidden Ponies recipe
Recipe by Hidden Ponies at https://hiddenponies.com/2013/01/leftover-cranberry-sauce-oat-bars/