Yummy Cherry Bars

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 24
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 1/4 cups cherry preserves (raspberry, or strawberry preserves are also good)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350 degrees f. line a 9x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over the edges of the pan; set aside.
• 2 in a large bowl, stir together flour, oats, brown sugar, pecans, lemon peel, and baking soda. stir in applesauce and oil; mix well. if necessary, knead by hand to combine. measure 1 cup of the oat mixture; set aside.
• 3 press the remaining oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. bake for 20 minutes.
• 4 carefully spread the preserves evenly over the hot crust. sprinkle with the reserved oat mixture; pat gently into preserves.
• 5 bake about 30 minutes more or until top is lightly browned. cool in pan on a wire rack. using the edges of the foil, lift the uncut bars out of the pan. cut into bars.