Oatmeal Cranberry Toffee Bars

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It’s rare that I bake, and I must admit I don’t like to. I mean, you have to measure for goodness sakes! And I’m not a measuring kind of girl. I like pinches and dashes and shakes and handfuls. I like to taste, smell, and adjust as I go. It took me a while to realize this doesn’t work in baking. You can’t approximate the amount of flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, or baking soda. Their ratios need to be more or less exact in order to achieve the proper amount of rise and texture.

But, oh. All those cups and spoons and whisks and bowls… For a person who doesn’t own a dishwasher, you have to REALLY be craving sweets to even bother. Once or twice a year though, I pull out the flour and sugar and whatever random ingredients look like they could make a decent dessert, and give the baking thing a whirl. I like this recipe enough, however, that I just might suck up my distaste for the form and have a go at it more often. They are especially delicious for breakfast! With a steaming cup of black coffee. Mmm. But shhh. Don’t tell my husband I said so!

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 ¼ cup flour (add an additional ¼ cup for high altitude)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
2 ½ cups rolled oats
¾ cup cranberries
¾ cup toffee bits

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well.
3. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add to butter and sugar mixture. Stir in oats, cranberries and toffee bits. Mix well.
4. Spread into an ungreased 13×9 pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes.

One Response to “Oatmeal Cranberry Toffee Bars”

  1. Dan

    June 8th, 2007 at 10:46 am

    Wow, this may be the ultimate breakfast bar - can’t wait to try them out and take them camping!


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