Raspberry Oatmeal Cookie Bars

It’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow and I have no gift for The Husband. Not really. I have a card, a gag gift and brought him some roses the other day. But not any wonderful sparking shiny thoughtful gift. Why? Me the lover of all holidays am I gift less? Because we after 19 years of marriage I simply asked him what he wanted and he couldn’t make up his mind except that he wanted a Jaw Saw. A 150 dollar dangerous tool that he’d probably lose a few fingers with hours after opening it. First of all The Budget really isn’t able to support a 150 dollar Valentine’s Day gift and secondly he told me this after the week started and I wasn’t able to pick one up at Kroger’s. If I can’t get it at the grocery store M-F it’s just not going to happen, I work 50 hours a week at least. So I figured I’d make an elegant and fancy dinner. Let the kids watch TV while they ate hot dogs or grilled cheese and we ate quietly by candle light in the dining room.

Then my daughter comes into the kitchen with her phone clamped to the side of her face. “Momma (she calls me that because she’s a Southerner, I’m a Yankee but I’ve gotten used to it) can my boyfriend come over for dinner on Thursday? Thursday? What’s Thursday? Oh Valentine’s Day. Hmmm. Well honey I reply it is a school night and I thought we’d agreed that we’d limit our boyfriend included adventures to weekends. She responded “ok well can I go over there then?” Well, he’s nearly 4 years older, turning 19 and he’s mom’s not around much. So I jump back with “sure sweetheart I’ll fix something you guys like.” A Valentine’s Day dinner for 5 on short notice, during the week with a fridge full of leftovers won’t be easy. I’ll start with dessert.  My husband doesn’t eat chocolate (I KNOW) and my kids are kind of MEH about cheesecake (SERIOUSLY), but everyone in this house will eat the shizz out of some cookie bars. I wanted something sort of Valentine’s Day-ish and oatmeal is good for you right? So there we will begin:

Raspberry Oatmeal Cookie Bars (makes 1 8x8-inch pan)

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup (all-purpose) whole wheat flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup rolled oats (not instant)

1/2 cup

butter, softened

3/4 cup

seedless raspberry jam

Directions

1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease one 8 inch square pan, and line with greased foil.

2.    Combine brown sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and rolled oats. Rub in the butter using your hands or a pastry blender to form a crumbly mixture. Press 2 cups of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the jam to within 1/4 inch of the edge. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top, and lightly press it into the jam.

3.    Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.