Here is a quick recipe to satisfy everyone in the family.
Makes 32 bars
Calories per bar: 145
Total fat per bar: 4.7 grams; 0 mg cholesterol
Percent calories from fat: 29%
3/4 cup margarine
2 cups firmly packed brown
sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups old-fashioned or
quick-cooking oats, uncooked
Put butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric
mixer on medium speed 3 to 4 minutes, or until well mixed. Combine flour, oats
and baking soda. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat on low speed until crumbly.
Spread two-thirds of the oats mixture into the bottom of an un-greased
13x9x2-inch baking pan. Press down to make a firm layer.
Put cherry filling and cherry
juice concentrate in an electric blender or food processor container; purée
until smooth. Pour puréed cherry filling into a medium saucepan. Combine
granulated sugar and cornstarch; stir into cherry filling. Cook, stirring
constantly, over low heat until mixture is thick and bubbly. Stir in almond
extract. Pour cherry mixture over oats layer; spread evenly. Top with remaining
oats mixture.
Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden
brown. Let cool before cutting into bars.
