Recipe: Oatmeal Fruit Bars (using raisins, dates and orange juice)

OATMEAL FRUIT BARS

FOR THE Raisin and Date Filling:
1 1/2 cups raisins 
1 1/2 cups chopped, pitted dates 
3/4 cup orange juice 
3/4 cup water 
1 Tbsp. grated orange zest 
FOR THE CRUST:
1/2 cup soft margarine, chilled 
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 
1/2 tsp. baking soda 
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, uncooked

TO PREPARE THE FILLING:
Combine the raisins, dates, orange juice and 3/4 cup water in a medium-size saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Continue to boil, stirring, for 10 minutes, until the mixture thickens and becomes like a paste. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the orange zest. Let cool completely. 

TO PREPARE THE CRUST:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a nonstick 13x9x2-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and spray the foil with nonstick vegetable cooking spray. 

Mix the margarine with the brown sugar in a medium-size bowl until well-blended. Beat in the flour, baking soda and the oats until the mixture is crumbly. 

Press half the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Spread the filling in an even layer over the oats. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the filling and press down lightly. 

Bake the bars for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden. Cut into 40 bars while still warm. Cool the bars completely and store them in an airtight container. 

Makes 40 bars
Source: the American Institute for Cancer Research

Reviews and Replies:
1	Recipe: Low Fat Recipes (13)
	Betsy at TKL

2	Recipe: Portobello Burgers
	Betsy at TKL

3	Recipe: Black Bean Burgers
	Betsy at TKL

4	Recipe: Garlicky Greens
	Betsy at TKL

5	Recipe: Vegetable Lo Mein
	Betsy at TKL

6	Recipe: Orange Date Bread (low fat)
	Betsy at TKL

7	Recipe: Fruit-Filled Chocolate Meringues
	Betsy at TKL

8	Recipe: Oatmeal Fruit Bars (using raisins, dates and orange juice)
	Betsy at TKL

9	Recipe(tried): Basque chicken
	Rochelle, CA

10	Recipe(tried): Broccoli Buffet Casserole
	Rochelle, CA

11	Recipe(tried): Chocolate Banana Bread
	Rochelle, CA

12	Recipe(tried): Chocolate Banana Fudge Cake
	Rochelle, CA

13	Recipe(tried): Low-fat Buttermilk Waffles with Fresh Berry Topping
	Rochelle, CA

14	Recipe: Low-Fat Apple Cinnamon Rolls
	Rochelle, CA