Blackberry Oatmeal Bars

Hello my friends-

I'm about to share one of my favorite recipes with you. Generally, during the holidays I'm a pretty giving person....but I don't share these with anyone. I don't pass them out to friends and I don't put them on cookie plates. Unless you can prove to me that you love them as much as I do and that you won't just throw them away, you don't get any. That's how good they are.

The original recipe is found here. It calls for raspberries, but I always use blackberries instead. You can use prepared jam like it says, or you can make your own. *Hint- homemade is WAY better and WAY easy!*

So first up, we make the jam. I always make a double batch so I can make two batches of bars! All you need is two bags of frozen blackberries and 1/4 c of sugar. **For best results you do need to plan ahead and make the jam a day early**

Put them both in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Don't worry if there's no liquid initially, the sugar will draw it out. Reduce heat to a simmer and let it bubble away for about 1/2 an hour. Then pour into a container and refrigerate overnight.

This year, I wanted to see if I could make the jam a little thicker so I dissolved a Tbsp of cornstarch in a Tbsp in water and then stirred it in about 10 minutes before the jam was done. It seemed to help, not right away, but after I refrigerated it overnight.

Now fast forward to the next day and  it should look something like this:

Now it's time to make the bars!!

Here's what you need:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats, divided

1 cup blackberry jam or preserves (homemade or store bought)

Here's what you do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x9 pan.  (I don't have one, so I use and 8x8)

Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, then add the egg and vanilla.

Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the butter mixture.   Stir in 1 3/4 cups of the oats. Press 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan.  

Spread the jam over the oatmeal base. 

To the remaining dough add the remaining 1/4 cup of oats. Crumble this mixture evenly over the top of the jam. 

Bake for about 25 - 30 minutes or until nicely browned. Place on a wire rack to cool and then cut into squares.

These are best if made the day before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Hope you like them as much as we do!

Here's today's Christmas card- matching overalls!:

Enjoy!
--Lindsay--

PS...don't forget to enter my giveaway!!