Cherry Oatmeal Bars - January, 2022.

Of course you’re going to eat healthier this year!

Here’s the perfect snack after skiing or a long walk in the woods or on the beach.

I love tart dried cherries, but substitute your favorite dried fruit, such as apricots. I like to add chopped almonds for crunch.

• Ingredients
• 12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups quick cooking oats (NOT instant)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup dried cherries
• ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

• Directions
• Grease a 9” square baking pan and dust with flour. Tap out the excess flour
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
• Remove from the heat and let cool 5 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and thoroughly mix.
• In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon with a large spoon.
• Flatten any lumps. Pour in the melted butter mixture and combine thoroughly.
• Stir the cherries in and nuts, if desired.
• Using your hands spread the dough evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the edges are starting to pull away from the sides of the pan.
• Remove the pan from the oven and let cool for at least 1 hour.
• Cut just before serving.
• 12-16 pieces