Raspberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (18.5 ounce) package yellow cake mix, like Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines
• 2 1/2 cups Quaker Quick Oats
• 3/4 cup margarine melted
• 1 cup raspberry jam and fresh raspberries, mixed
• 1 tablespoon water

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together oats, cake mix, and margarine so that it makes nice clumps and there is no dry mix left. Press 1/2 of the oats mixture evenly into the bottom the prepared pan. In a separate bowl, mix raspberry jam mixture with water, and spread over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly over the top.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 23 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Cool before cutting into bars.

Caramel Apple Bars Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup packed sugar
• 3/4 cup margarine softened
• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups Quaker Oats
• 1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped Brach's caramels, unwrapped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 1/2 cups apple - peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and margarine until smooth. Combine 1 3/4 cups flour, oats, baking soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until well blended. Set aside 2 cups of this mixture. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch baking pan.
3. In a medium bowl, toss apples with lemon juice, then toss them with the 3 tablespoons of flour. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the prepared crust. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt caramels, stirring frequently until smooth. Pour the melted caramels evenly over the apples. Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture over the top of the apple layer. Press down lightly.
4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender. Cut while slightly warm and refrigerate any leftover bars.