MAPLE PECAN OATMEAL BARS

FOR THE BARS:
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) margarine or butter
2 1/4 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/3 cup Aunt Jemima Syrup
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
FOR THE TOPPING:
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (about 6 ounces)
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup Aunt Jemima® Syrup

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray 13x9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.

TO MAKE THE BARS:
Melt margarine; set aside to cool.

In large bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, coconut, baking soda and salt; mix well. (Dough will be stiff.)

In small bowl, combine melted margarine, syrup, egg and vanilla; mix well. Add to oat mixture; mix well. Press dough evenly onto bottom of pan.

TO MAKE THE TOPPING:
Combine pecans and brown sugar in small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over dough; press down lightly. Drizzle syrup evenly over pecans.

Bake 35 to 38 minutes or until edges are set but middle is soft. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Cut into bars. Store tightly covered.

Servings: 32 bars
Source: Quaker Oats