Oatmeal and Raisin Spice Cookie Bars

These can be made into individual cookies but seem easier baked in a pan and then cut. Substitute dried cranberries or dried chopped apricots if you like. They are very thin bars. From Simply Heartsmart by Bonnie Stern.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 30
• Yields: 30 bars

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup  soft margarine or 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄3 cup white sugar
• 1  egg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 3⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon allspice
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ginger
• 1 1⁄2 cups rolled oats
• 3⁄4 cup raisins

Directions

1. Brush a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with oil, then line with parchment paper or foil, pressing paper down firmly so it stays. Leave a slight overhang of paper.
2. In mixing bowl cream the margarine or butter until light. Add the sugars and beat until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla and mix in well.
3. In a separate bowl mix the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice and ginger. Mix into the batter, then stir in the oatmeal and raisins.
4. Press dough evenly into the lined baking pan. (This is the messy part.) The dough will be a bit sticky and there will seem to be almost not enough to fill the pan.
5. Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden. Bake a bit less for chewier bars, a bit more for crispy bars.
6. Let cool for 3 or 4 minutes, then lift gently out of the pan. Cool a couple more minutes, cut into squares, then cool fully.