Oatmeal Cranberry Squares

I love oatmeal and I love cranberry and this is a snack that incorporates both. As a bonus, I also get to have my almonds in there too ...

Recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart. The original recipe is here.



The recipe that I used is:

Ingredients
Makes 24
• 4 cups Oatmeal
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped almond
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups melted unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups dried cranberries
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Nonstick cooking spray

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, put in oatmeal, flour, sugar, almonds, baking soda, and salt; stir to combine. Add melted butter and vanilla and stir to incorporate; set aside.

3. In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, 1/2 cup water, lemon zest, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and immediately reduce heat to a simmer; continue cooking for 2 minutes.
Let cool slightly and mash the cranberries using a small blender or food processor.

4. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Transfer half the oat mixture to baking dish and press down, using your hands, to form an even layer. Spread cranberry mixture over oat layer and top with remaining oat mixture, pressing down to form an even layer.

5. Bake until golden brown, 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into 2-inch squares.