Cherry Oatmeal Bars-January, 2020.

2020 is the year of tasty healthy! Here’s a recipe for the perfect snack after skiing or a walk in the woods or on the beach (if you’ve gone south for the winter). I love tart dried cherries, but substitute your fave, such as dried apricots. I like to add cashews, but almonds or walnuts are just as good. And, nuts are optional.

This recipe is on pages of 68 and 69 of Fat Witch Bake Sale cookbook.

• Ingredients
• 12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups quick cooking oats (NOT instant)
• 1 cup unbleached flour
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup dried cherries (packed)
• ½ cup nuts such as cashews or almonds or walnuts coarsely chopped (optional)

• Directions
• Grease a 9” square baking pan. Dust with flour and tap out the excess.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Melt the butter in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat.
• Stir frequently. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool 5 minutes.
• Stir in the vanilla and mix well.
• In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour sugar, salt and cinnamon together with a large spoon.
• Flatten any lumps. Pour in the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
• Stir in the cherries (or apricots) and nuts.
• Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Use clean hands to pat the batter.
• Bake 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges slightly pulling away from the edges.
• Remove the pan from the oven and cool for at least 1 hour.
• Cut just before serving. If taking on a hike – wrap in plastic or baggie.
• 12-16 bars depending on size you cut