Cranberry Oat Bars

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 32
• 1 cup dried cranberries (i love the sunmaid ones over craisins)
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup margarine, softened
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup pecan pieces or 1/2 cup walnut pieces
• 2/3 cup chocolate chips (, semi-sweet, milk, etc.) (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350ºf.
• 2 combine cranberries and orange juice in microwaveable bowl. microwave on high 30 sec. let stand 10 minute.
• 3 meanwhile, combine flour, oats, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• 4 beat margarine and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. gradually add flour mixture, mixing well after each addition.
• 5 stir in cranberry mixture, chocolate (if using) and nuts.
• 6 spread dough into 13x9-inch baking pan sprayed with cooking spray.
• 7 bake 20 to 22 minute or until center is set. cool completely on wire rack before cutting into bars.