Cookie Bars

Lemon Bars

Ingredients:
1/3 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
2 eggs
2 tbsp. all purpose flour
2 tbsp. finely shredded lemon peel
3 tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. baking powder
Powdered sugar (optional)

Beat butter with mixer on med. to high for 30 seconds. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar. Beat till combined. Beat in 1 cup flour till crumbly. Press into the bottom of an 8x8x2 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 for 15-18 min. or till golden.
Meanwhile, combine eggs, the remaining sugar, the 2 tbsp. flour, lemon peel, juice, and baking powder. Beat for 2 min. or till thoroughly combined. Pour over hot baked layer.
Bake in 350 oven for about 20 min. more or till lightly browned around the edges and center is set. Cool on wire rack. Sift powdered sugar over the top. Cut into bars. Makes 20.

Granola Bars

Ingredients:
1 cup granola
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup raisins (or any dried fruit bits)
1 beaten egg
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup cooking oil
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Line an 8x8x2 inch baking pan with foil. Grease the foil; set side. In a mixing bowl combine granola, oats, nuts, flour, and raisins (or desired dried fruit). Stir in egg, honey, oil, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Press evenly into pan. Bake in 325 oven for 30-35 min. or till lightly browned around the edges. Cool. Use foil to remove from pan. Cut into bars. Makes 24.

Fruit Filled Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup butter
Raisin filling, apple cinnamon filling
or apricot coconut filling

In a mixing bowl combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda. Cut in butter till mix looks like coarse crumbs. Reserve 1/2 cup of the flour mix. Press remaining flour mix in the bottom of a 9x9x2 inch baking pan. Spread with desired filling. Sprinkle with reserved flour mix. Bake in 350 oven for 30-35 min. or till the top is golden brown. Cool , then cut into bars. Makes 25.
Raisin Filling:
In a med. saucepan combine 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp. sugar, and 2 tsp. cornstarch. Add 1 cup raisins. Cook and stir till thick and bubbly.
Apple Cinnamon Filling:
Peel, core, and chop 2 med. apples. In a med. saucepan combine apples, 2 tbsp. sugar, 2 tbsp. water, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, and a dash ground cloves. Bring apple mix to boil; reduce heat and simmer 8-10 min. or till apples are very tender.
Apricot Coconut Filling:
In a med. saucepan combine 1 cup snipped dried apricots and 3/4 cup water. Bring mix to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 5 min. Meanwhile combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tbsp. all purpose flour. Stir into apricot mix. Cook and stir about 1 min. more or till very thick. Stir in 1/2 cup coconut.

Crispy Cereal Squares

In a medium saucepan combine 2/3 cup light corn syrup and 1/4 cup packed brown sugar. Cook and stir till mixture comes to a full boil.
Remove saucepan from heat and stir in 1 cup peanut butter and 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Stir in 4 cups crispy rice cereal.
Press into ungreased 9x9x2 inch pan. Chill for 1 hour then cut into bars. Makes 25.

Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients:
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup shortening
1 egg
1 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 Recipe for Peanut Butter Frosting

Combine about half of the flour, the brown sugar, peanut butter, shortening, egg, milk, vanilla, and soda. Beat with mixer on med. to high till thoroughly combined. Beat in remaining flour. Stir in oats. Spread batter into an ungreased 8x8x2 in baking pan.
Bake in 375 oven for 15-18 min. or till a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool and cut into bars. Makes 20.

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