Fruit Preserve Bars Recipes

FRUIT PRESERVE BARS

Steps:

• Cream the butter and the brown sugar together.
• Add the flour and the baking soda; mix well. Blend in extract.
• Stir in oats.
• Spread mixture in bottom of greased 13x9 inch pan.
• Spread with preserves to within 1/2 inch of outer edge of pan.
• Sprinkle with almonds.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 22 to 25 minutes.
• Cool and cut into bars.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Grease 13x9 inch pan
• Note 1: Experiment with different flavor combinations of extract, nuts and preserves.
• Note 2: Oats can be old-fashioned or quick, but not instant.

STRAWBERRY OATMEAL BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan.
• Mix together the butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Press half the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Spread with the strawberry preserves. Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the top and pat lightly. Bake until light brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely, and then cut into squares.

DELICIOUS RASPBERRY OATMEAL COOKIE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 8 inch square pan, and line with greased foil.
• Combine brown sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and rolled oats. Rub in the butter using your hands or a pastry blender to form a crumbly mixture. Press 2 cups of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the jam to within 1/4 inch of the edge. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top, and lightly press it into the jam.
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.

BERRY CRUMB BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease one 13x9-inch pan.
• Combine 1 cup of the sugar, the flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, shortening, and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of the dough into the prepared pan.
• Combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, the cornstarch and berries. Place mixture over dough in pan. Crumble the remaining dough over the tops of the berries.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is slightly browned, about 45 minutes.

FRUIT-FILLED OATMEAL BARS

Steps:

• In mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda.
• Cut in margarine/butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Reserve 1/2 cup of the flour mixture.
• Press remaining flour mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9x9x2 baking pan.
• Spread with desired filling.
• Sprinkle with reserved flour mixture.
• Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden.
• Cool in pan on wire rack.
• Cut into bars.
• FILLING OPTIONS:.
• ***Following cookbook's 'shortcut' suggestion of substituting 10 oz jar of preserves in place of homemade filling, I used a store-bought, very dense, low-moisture apple butter (like a thick jam). I have also tried it with blueberry preserves but the preserves were too moist--it made the bars sticky not good.***.
• RAISIN FILLING:.
• In medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Add 1 cup raisins. Cook & stir until thickened & bubbly.
• APPLE-CINNAMON FILLING:.
• Peel/core/chop 2 medium apples. In medium saucepan, combine apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a dash of ground cloves. Bring apple mixture to a boil; reduce heat & simmer 8-10 minutes or until apples are very tender.
• APRICOT-COCONUT FILLING:.
• In medium saucepan, combine 1 cup diced dried apricots and 3/4 cup water. Bring apricot mixture to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon all purpose flour. Stir into apricot mixture. Cook and stir 1 minute more or until mixture is very thick. Stir in 1/2 cup coconut.

FRUIT CRUMB BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in oats and brown sugar. Using your fingers, work butter into mixture until combined; mixture should be crumbly but hold together.
• Line an 11-by-17-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Press 5 cups oat mixture into bottom of pan. Spread desired filling over oat mixture. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over filling. Bake until golden, about 40 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool. Cut into 1 1/4-by-2 1/2-inch pieces; makes about 60.