Trail Bar Mix Bars

I found this recipe in a Redbook Magazine in the 1980's. Of course, I tweaked it after I made it the first time. It is good and fruity and crunchy and somewhat healthy. Looks pretty and tastes good on a holiday cookie tray

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Yields: 36 bars

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 2⁄3 cup brown sugar, packed, i usually use light brown sugar
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup oatmeal, not instant
• 1⁄4 cup sesame seeds

• FILLING

• 1 (6 ounce) package  sunmaid  fruit bits or 1 (6 ounce) package raisins
• 2  tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar, packed, i usually use light brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup orange marmalade

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease 9 x 9 pan or use cooking spray.
3. In a medium bowl cream butter and 2/3 cup brown sugar.
4. In a large bowl mix 1 cup flour, baking powder, salt, oatmeal, and sesame seeds.
5. Add the butter brown sugar mixture and mix well with fork.
6. In a separate bowl mix the fruit bits and 2 tablespoons flour.
7. Then add orange marmalade and 1/4 cup flour.
8. Pat 1/2 oatmeal mixture in prepared pan.
9. Pat down.
10. Spread fruit mixture evenly on top of oatmeal mixture.
11. Sprinkle with remaining oatmeal mixture.
12. Pat down.
13. Bake@ 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
14. Cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes.
15. Cut into 1 inch squares.