Cranberry-Caramel Bars

From Charlotte Mueller, for Holiday 2005.

Makes 2 dozen. Bake 45 minutes at 350.

  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 2 T granulated sugar
  • 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1/2 t baking soda
  • 2 cups uncooked regular oats
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 1 (10 oz.) package chopped dates
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 (12 oz) jar caramel sauce

    Stir together cranberries and 2 T granulated sugar in a bowl; set aside

    Combine 2 cups flour and next 4 ingredients; stir in melted butter until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup flour mixture. Press remaining flour mixture into bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9 inch baking dish.

    Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with dates, pecans and cranberry mixture. Stir together caramel sauce and remaining 1/3 cup flour; spoon over cranberries. Sprinkle with reserved 1 cup flour mixture. Bake 30 more minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack. Cut into bars.

    Marianne Mueller
    Last modified: November 10, 2005