Fruit-Filled Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter
• Raisin Filling, Apple Filling, or Apricot-Coconut Filling

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda. Cut in margarine or 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-inch baking pan. Spread with desired filling. Sprinkle with reserved flour mixture.
2. Bake in a 350° oven for 30 to 35 minutes or till the top is golden. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
3. Need a shortcut? Substitute a 10-ounce jar of preserves for the homemade filling.
4. Raisin Filling: In a medium saucepan combine 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Add 1 cup raisins. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly.
5. Apple Filling: Peel, core, and chop 2 medium apples (about 10 ounces). In a medium saucepan combine apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a dash ground cloves. Bring apple mixture to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or till apples are very tender.
6. Apricot-Coconut Filling: In a medium saucepan combine 1 cup snipped dried apricots and 1/3 cup water. Bring apricot mixture to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour. Stir into apricot mixture. Cook and stir about 1 minute more or till very thick. Stir in 1/4 cup coconut.