Recipe: Cranberry Bars

Cranberry Bars
Makes 24

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel (yellow part only, I'm sure)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 16 ounce can whole cranberry sauce
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts

In a large mixing bowl stir together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, lemon peel and baking soda. Stir in the melted margarine or butter and mix thoroughly.

For topping, reserve 1 cup of the oat mixture. Set aside.

For crust, press the remaining oat mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake in a 350 oven for 20 minutes.

Carefully spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the partially baked crust. Stir the pecan or walnuts into the reserved topping. Sprinkle over cranberry sauce. Lightly pat topping into sauce. Bake in a 350 oven for 25 to 30 minutes more or till top is lightly browned. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.