Cranberry Oat Bars

The Washington Post, December 12, 2007

• • Course: Dessert
• • Features: Holiday (Christmas)

Summary:

Sturdy, hearty and fruit-filled, these are great for shipping. Cut into fairly large bars that are good for a lunchbox or an afternoon pick-me-up, or into daintier pieces for a Christmas cookie platter.

The foil lining allows the baker to lift out the baked pastry in 1 big piece before cutting into smaller bars; otherwise the first bar will get messed up as you try to dig it out.

STORE: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Makes 16 bars

Ingredients:

For the filling

• • 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• • 3/4 cup sugar
• • Finely grated zest of 1 medium orange (about 2 teaspoons)
• • 1 1/2 cups flour
• • 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (do not use quick-cooking or instant)
• • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• • 1 teaspoon baking powder
• • 1/2 teaspoon salt
• • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

Directions:

Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking oil spray, then line the pan with a double thickness of aluminum foil so that the foil extends beyond 2 opposite ends of the pan. Fold the overhang down to form handles. Lightly grease the foil with the spray.

For the filling: Combine the cranberries, sugar and orange zest in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the filling has thickened and reduced to about 1 cup. Transfer to a bowl to cool completely.

Meanwhile, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Add the butter and use your fingertips to work it into the dry ingredients until well combined; the mixture will be crumbly. Press half of the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan and spread the cooled cranberry filling on top. Sprinkle the remaining crumbly mixture over the filling and gently press into an even layer. Bake for about 40 minutes, until the top is evenly browned. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Run a knife around the 2 inside edges of the pan to release the bars from the sides. Lift up on the foil handles to remove the bars from the pan. Using a large, sharp knife, cut into 16 bars. Cool completely before storing.

Recipe Source:

Adapted from "Christmas 101: 100 Festive Recipes With Menus and Timetables for Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining," by Rick Rodgers (Morrow, 2007).

250 calories, 9g fat, 6g saturated fat, 23mg cholesterol, 105mg sodium, 40g carbohydrates, 2g dietary fiber, n/a sugar, 3g protein.