The Great Cookie Swap

Over at Trying Our Best, there's a "cookie swap going on...and it just so happens that even though I have lost 9 lbs in two weeks (2.4 lbs gone this week, woot!), I still had a chance to bake one of my favorite and most requested recipes around here. We had a neighborhood picnic and I decided to make them. Head on over to the Great Cookie Swap and check out "Mr. Linky" and the links, photos and great recipes so far...and do share one of yours! If you go and share, let me know that you did!!!

This is what I made:


Oatmeal Jam Squares

oven 375°
2 1/2 cups rolled oats (old fashioned, not quick cooking)
1 3/4 cups flour (either all purpose, or 1/2 each all purpose and wheat)
1 cup melted butter or margarine (don't use light, it just doesn't work well)
1 cup packed brown sugar (dark works great!)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 jar (15 oz) jam

Mix everything but jam in a large bowl, being sure to add butter last. Make sure everything is mixed thoroughly...it will be crumbly

separate 1 1/2 to 2 cups of this mixture and set aside; press remaining mixture into 9 x 13 pan (I line the pan with parchment paper for ease of removal)

Spread jam over the oat mixture as evenly as possible. You can microwave it for 20-30 seconds to help it thin out a bit.

Sprinkle the reserved mixture over the jam, coating evenly. You will still see some jam peeking through.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top of the bar is golden brown. Cool for at least 1/2 hour to one hour before cutting.

Try making this with different jams (the above is made with raspberry, but I've made apricot, strawberry, blackberry, marmalade and a mixture of those jams as well!) for variety.

This will make approximately 2 dozen small squares.