Fruit and Nut Oatmeal Bars

Fruit and Nut Oatmeal Bars

April 26, 2018 Off By Laura Hartline
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When our kids turn 13 they get to go on a trip with Andy.  It is a tradition that I grew up with and we have adopted it in our family too.  Why just with their dad?  Well, because they spend a LOT of time with me already.  It is fun and important for them to spend some one on one time with Dad just as they are beginning their teenage years.  Hopefully it lets them know that they can come to both of us with their problems or concerns and that we are there to listen.  When Emma turned 13, she and Andy went on the largest zip-line course in the US.  It is called Soaring Tree Top Adventures in Durango, Colorado.  They had a blast.  You take a train up to the mountains and then spend the day zip-lining and hiking through the mountains.  They also feed you a gourmet lunch.  Emma and Andy came home with a recipe for Cranberry Bars.  When Emma first described this bar, I thought it would me more like a granola bar.  It has oatmeal in it and dried fruit. Well, it isn’t.  It is very much a sweet treat.  A delicious one at that!  I have modified the recipe a bit, added more fruit and nuts.  Also, it calls for caramel sauce.  I make my own but you could also use store bought.  If you make your own.  Boil until the thermometer is around 210°-220°.    Also, these make fairly thick bars.  You could use a larger pan to make them a bit thinner.

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Fruit and Nut Oatmeal Bars

These bars are full of dried fruit, nuts, and oatmeal.  A great combination of protein and sweet treat.

Course Dessert, Snack
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 2/3 cup dried blueberries
  • 2/3 cup dried dates chopped
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup butter melted
  • 1/2 cup pecans chopped
  • 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.  Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch pan.


  2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, oats, sugar, and brown sugar.

  3. Add melted butter and mix until crumble like texture. Reserve 1 cup for topping.

  4. Press the flour/oat mixture onto the bottom of the baking pan and bake for 15 minutes.

  5. Sprinkle the fruit and nuts over the baked bottom.

  6. Pour caramel sauce over the top.

  7. Sprinkle the reserved topping over the caramel sauce and bake for 20 minutes until golden.

  8. Let cool before cutting.







CategoryDessert