Cranberry Streusel Bars

Cranberry Streusel Bars

I got this recipe from the Food Day section of the Oregonian.  This is one of my sister's favorites and when it comes time for the cranberries to fill the stores, I can't make enough.

You Will Need-

Filling:

1 – 12 oz. bag fresh or frozen cranberries (3 ½ cups)

¾ cup water

1 cup granulated sugar

Pinch salt

¼ teaspoon ground mace

Bars:

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 ¾ cups all purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 ½ cups old fashioned oatmeal

½ cup chopped walnuts

 

To make filling:

In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries (no need to thaw berries if frozen), the water and sugar.

Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens and the cranberries pop, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the salt and mace. Mixture will thicken as it cools.

To make bars:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 7-by-11-inch pan and set aside.

In a large bowl combine the brown sugar, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add the butter and, using your fingers, work together until no small lumps remain.

Add the oatmeal

Press and flatten half of the mixture into the prepared pan to form a crust. Bake for 10 minutes.

Remove the crust from the oven and, while warm, spread on top of it all of the cranberry filling.

Add the nuts to the remaining mixture for the streusel and sprinkle it evenly over the filling.

Return to the oven and bake 25 minutes, until streusel topping is lightly browned.

Cool pan on rack and cut into bars.

Enjoy!