Raspberry Oatmeal Squares

Sometimes you're looking for a treat that's quick, easy to make, and can be made with ingredients you already have in the pantry.  Or, maybe you've have to bring a treat to a party and you're short on money and time.  These raspberry oatmeal squares are just the answer.  And they're tasty.

You will need:
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
2 cups sweetened coconut
1 1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal
3/4 cup (8 oz) raspberry preserves

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly spray the bottom of 9 X 13 inch baking dish.

In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar together until fluffy.

Add the flour.

Add 1 cup of the coconut.

 Add the oatmeal.  Mix together well.

 Remove 1 cup of the mixture.

Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the 9 X 13 pan.

 Spread the raspberry preserves evenly over the oatmeal mixture.

Note:  you can substitute cherry or apricot preserves, (store bought or homemade).

Sprinkle the 1 cup of oatmeal mixture over the top of the raspberry preserves.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of coconut over the top.

Bake for 25 minutes, until the top starts to turn a golden brown.

Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack.

Once cooled, your raspberry oatmeal squares are now ready to serve.  You can get 12 to 16 squares, (depending on how you cut).

Notice the nice layers, with the raspberry in the middle, the coconut nicely browned on top.

A pan of this does not last long at our house.

Enjoy !

Grandma Barbara's Granola Bars

As the grand kids were growing up, they would look through the kitchen and then ask "where's grandma Barbara's granola bars?".  That's how these delicious granola bars got their name!  They are easy and fast to make, and they don't last long around our house.  I get 12 bars out of each recipe, and when you compare that to the cost of one or two store bought granola bars, it's a major savings!!

You will need:
2 cups quick cooking oats
2 cups crispy rice cereal
1/2 cup peanuts
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teas vanilla extract
dash of salt

 First you will need to line a 8" X 8" pan with parchment paper, (leaving some over hang, this will aid in lifting the granola out).

In a large bowl, combine oats, peanuts, crispy rice cereal, dried cranberries and 1/4 cup of the chocolate chips.  Stir well.

In a medium bowl combine the peanut butter, brown sugar, salt, and honey.  

Stir mixture, then microwave on high for 1 minute.

Remove from microwave, stir well and microwave again for 1 minute.

Remove from microwave, add vanilla extract and stir for 30 seconds.

Caution:  This caramel sauce is very hot.  Be careful.

Pour the caramel sauce over the oat / cereal mixture.

Be careful not to get any on your fingers, it will burn.  Do NOT try to lick the spoon!  It will burn!

 Stir the caramel sauce into the oat mixture.  Be sure to stir the bottom contents up to get all the ingredients well coated with the sauce.

Pour the granola into the parchment lined pan.  Press down to form an even layer.

Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of the chocolate chips on top of the granola mixture and press into the granola mixture.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set up the granola.

 After 30 minutes remove the granola

Now you can cut your granola into bars, (or squares if you want) .  I like to cut mine into 12 bars.

And there you have a delicious granola bar.

I just store mine in a foam container on the counter, so everyone can easily grab one when they want one.  When I pack them for road trips or lunches, I just wrap one in a piece of plastic wrap and it's ready to go.

You can change up the ingredients, add shredded coconut, cashews, pecans, leave out the chocolate chips or dried cranberries.  Make it your own version of whatever you like in a granola bar.

Enjoy!

Cranberry-Oatmeal Cookies

February is "Heart Healthy Month"!  And Oatmeal is a heart healthy food.  Oatmeal cookies are a long time favorite of kids and adults alike.  But, when they are filled with fats, they're not so heart healthy.  I have taken the ordinary oatmeal cookie and remade it more heart friendly, without losing the flavor.  This recipe will make 3 1/2 dozen good size cookies and you can make them in about 1 hour, (start to finish).
First preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  I like to line my cookie sheets with parchment paper, but it's not necessary, (this just helps with cleanup).

You will need:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 teas cinnamon
1/4 teas nutmeg
1/4 teas ginger
2 ripe bananas
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.  Whisk together.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.  (I like to use a fork to break apart and mash up my brown sugar and get all the lumps out).

Beat the banana and sugars together for about 30 seconds on medium speed.

 Add the vanilla and eggs.  Beat just until combined.

Add in 1/3 of the flour mixture and beat on low speed until combined.  Add in another 1/3 of flour mixture, and continue until combine, then add in final flour mixture and beat until all flour mixture is combined.

 Stir in the oats.

Stir in the dried cranberries.

NOTE:  if you want to add nuts at this point they will give your cookies an extra protein boost and taste yummy.  Try pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons unto NON greased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.

Bake for 11 minutes, until cookies edges are golden.

 Let cool on wire rack for a couple of minutes.

 Once you can handle the cookies, remove from the cookie sheet and let the cookies cool on a wire rack.

OK - now for the "quality control check".  YUP - YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY !!  A nice soft cookie with good texture.

And of course you have to have a glass of ice cold milk with your cookies.

Give these a try, and you won't feel guilty about treating your family to an old fashion "good for you treat".

Enjoy.

Don't forget to check out the peanut butter- oatmeal cookies.