Cherry Oat Bars (From a Cake Mix)
photo by CookinDiva
- Ready In:
- 50mins
- Ingredients:
- 6
- Serves:
-
24
ingredients
- 18 1⁄2 ounces white cake mix
- 2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 3⁄4 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup cherry preserves
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1⁄2 cup pecans, finely chopped
directions
- Preheat oven to 375. Prepare a 9x13 pan.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, oats and butter until butter has been evenly distributed and entire mixture is crumbly. (See Note #1 at end for directions to make a lower-fat option).
- Press TWO-THIRDS the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- In a separate bowl, mix the preserves with water and spread over the crust. (See Note #2 at end, regarding jam).
- Add pecans to the remaining ONE THIRD oat mixture and crumble this over the top, allowing some of the cherry filling to show through.
- Bake 375 for 28-30 minutes (34-36 minutes if you are doing the lower-fat option), or until the top is lightly browned and the center doesn't collapse when you press lightly.
- For best results, cut into bars after the bars are set and cooled (I like to cover with foil and cut into bars the next day).
- NOTE #1: For lower-fat option, instead of 3/4 cup butter, use 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup applesauce.
- NOTE #2: A 10 oz. jar of Smuckers "Simply Fruit" is about 1 cup. Use the whole jar.
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Reviews
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What a great quick, easy, and versatile recipe. I took it to a Church social last night. It was a real hit. I used strawberry preserves. It was so good, I was invited to lunch after Church tomorrow. I have to bring a copy of the recipe. Recipes like this are getting this grandfather known as a good cook. I try to take something different and unique to each social or pot-luck. Last night, one lady asked, "What did Angel bring?" Another replied, "It doesn't matter, you know it'll be good." Thanks!
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My hubby, who doesn't like cherries, said this was "very good"! I healthified it a bit - low sugar cake mix (he is diabetic) and a 14 oz can of whole pitted no sugar added cherries, which I drained, reserving juice, blended the cherries, substituting them for the preserves and the juice for the water! It was a 1/4 gone before it had cooled and my teens weren't even home yet!
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I have made this many times with sugar-free cake mix, adding 1 teaspoon of vanilla to the cake mix/oats mixture. I have used fig jam, and the bars tasted similar to Fig Newton cookies! I also have added 2 teaspoons of five-spice powder to the cake/oats mixture while using sugar-free peach jam, which also turned out well. Great with coffee for breakfast!
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Tweaks
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My hubby, who doesn't like cherries, said this was "very good"! I healthified it a bit - low sugar cake mix (he is diabetic) and a 14 oz can of whole pitted no sugar added cherries, which I drained, reserving juice, blended the cherries, substituting them for the preserves and the juice for the water! It was a 1/4 gone before it had cooled and my teens weren't even home yet!
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
CookinDiva
Cincinnati, Ohio