Cranberry Oatmeal Pan-o-bars

 

These are so quick and easy and certain to please a crowd.  

Start by making (or buying, I will not judge) cranberry sauce.

In a medium sauce pan over medium/high heat 

1 bag of fresh cranberries (washed)
1 cup water

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp orange zest

1 medium sweet apple peeled and chunked

Heat until all the berries have popped open and the apples are 

tender.  I make this a day or so in advance.  Cool then store

in the refrigerator until you are prepping the pan-o-bars.

For the ridiculous bars you need:

1 box yellow cake mix (brand doesn't matter, just a box that yields a 9x13 pan)

2 1/2 cups quick oats

3/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 tsp pure almond extract (optional)

1 1/2 cups cranberry sauce 

Preheat oven to 375 and grease and parchment line (leaving parchment "handles" along the long side of the pan, for easy removal after baking) a 9x13 pan

Combine the dry cake mix with the quick oats (I use clean hands to mix).  Add melted butter to the dry ingredients and mix until crumbly.  Measure half of crumble into bottom of pan and press firmly, covering the entire bottom of pan. 

Top the base crust with the cranberry sauce (add a T of water, if the sauce is too thick), spreading evenly.  Leave 1/2 inch space around the edges free of cranberry sauce.

sprinkle the rest of crumble on top of the cranberry sauce and with a flat spatula press firmly (this is why I leave the bit of space around the edges, as the cranberries will push to the edges, when pressing).

Bake 18-25 minutes at 375.  The top will be light brown.





When you remove the pan from the oven set it on cooling rack to cool for an hour.  I then run a knife along the edges of the pan and use the 'parchment handles to life the dessert out of the pan and onto a large cutting board.  I cut to size with a pizza wheel.

 yum yum and yum!!!

**many apologies for the cellphone pics, our camera is in for it's annual cleaning**