Double Cherry Streusel Bars

Source: Better Homes & Gardens

• Ready In: 52 mins
• Serves: 48
• Yields: 48 bars

Ingredients

• 2  cups water
• 1  cup dried tart cherry, snipped
• 2  cups  quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1  cup butter
• 1⁄2 cup  slivered almonds, coarsely chopped
• 2 (12 ounce) jars  cherry preserves
• 1  teaspoon lemon peel, finely shredded
• 1⁄2 cup  semisweet chocolate piece
• 1  teaspoon shortening, melted

Directions

1. In a small saucepan bring water to boiling.
2. Remove from heat.
3. Add dried cherries and let stand for 10 minutes or until softened.
4. Drain and set aside.
5. For crust, in a large mixing bowl combine oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.
6. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
7. Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture.
8. Stir the almonds into the reserved crumb mixture; set aside.
9. Press remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
10. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 12 minutes.
11. Meanwhile, for filling, stir together the drained cherries, cherry preserves, and lemon peel.
12. Spread the filling evenly over baked crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
13. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes more or until top is golden brown.
14. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
15. In a small saucepan combine the chocolate pieces and shortening; heat over medium-low heat until chocolate is melted.
16. Drizzle melted chocolate mixture over baked bars.
17. Cut into bars.