Cranberry Oat Bars

From Aheadofthyme.com
9 (3-inch) squares

INGREDIENTS

  • ¾ cup butter, softened to room temperature
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cups rolled oats
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup cranberry sauce

For the Topping

  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • ⅓ cup pecans, finely crushed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together butter with brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add rolled oats, flour, vanilla, baking powder, and salt. Continue to mix until fully combined. The mixture will resemble crumbs.
  • Transfer the mixture into a 9-inch square baking pan, and firmly press it in to create an even layer on the bottom. Layer and spread cranberry sauce on top.
  • Make the pecan oat topping: In a shallow saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in brown sugar, oats, pecans, and cinnamon. Stir until fully combined. Sprinkle and evenly distribute the topping on top of the layer of cranberry sauce.
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until lightly browned. Place on a wire cooling rack to cool down and cut into 9 even squares.