Hey friends, so I am of course trying to get everything ready for Christmas; which includes baking! I had these bars at work a few months ago, and they are DELICIOUS. However, I made a variation on it and it is still good. I recommend you give it a shot, and try it out.

Cranberry Apple Bars

Adapted from Cranberry Bog Bars, Taste of Home Fall Baking Fall 2012

1¼ cups butter, softened, divided

1 Tbsp. butter (for apples)

1½ cups packed brown sugar, divided

3½ cups old-fashioned oats, divided

1 cup all purpose flour

1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce (I found it in the canned fruits, Ocean Spray brand)

(You can also add 1 cup of cranberries)

½ apple, finely chopped (I used a Honey Crisp)

1. In a large bowl (mixer), cream 1 cup butter and 1 cup brown sugar until light and fluffy. Combine 2½ cups oats and flour. Gradually add to the creamed mixture until crumbly. Press into a greased 13in. x 9in. baking pan (lined, if you want for less mess later on).
2. Sauté apple (and cranberries also, if have) with 1 Tbsp. butter in small frying pan, until soft (just like five minutes). You do not want them to brown, but be soft when cooked.
3. Spread sauteed fruit over oats, then op with cranberry sauce.
4. In a microwave safe bowl, melt remaining butter (1/4 cup); stir in remaining brown sugar (1/2 cup) and oats (1 cup). Sprinkle over top all of it.
5. Bake at 375° for 25 – 30 minutes (mine was more like 33) or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars (I cut mine into 4×4 rectangles).