Fruit Preserve Bars

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 20
• Yields: 20 bars

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter
• 1  cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  almond extract
• 1 1⁄2 cups oats, uncooked
• 1  cup  fruit preserves
• 1⁄4 cup  almonds, Sliced, toasted

Directions

1. Cream the butter and the brown sugar together.
2. Add the flour and the baking soda; mix well. Blend in extract.
3. Stir in oats.
4. Spread mixture in bottom of greased 13x9 inch pan.
5. Spread with preserves to within 1/2 inch of outer edge of pan.
6. Sprinkle with almonds.
7. Bake at 375 degrees for 22 to 25 minutes.
8. Cool and cut into bars.
9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
10. Grease 13x9 inch pan
11. Note 1: Experiment with different flavor combinations of extract, nuts and preserves.
12. Note 2: Oats can be old-fashioned or quick, but not instant.