Recipe: Fruit Crumb Bars

Flickr Photo Credit: Ninja Poodles

This recipe sounds like something I can make work with our remote situation, as the fruit filling part comes from a canned product. These fillings are also routinely on sale at the dollar store and at holiday loss leader sales.

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, 2 1/2 cups quick cooking oats, 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1 1/2 cups melted butter or margarine, 1 21-24 ounce can of fruit pie filling or mince meat, 1 tsp finely shredded lemon or orange peel,  powdered sugar icing (optional).

Mix flour, oats, sugar and baking soda. Stir in melted butter until well combined. Set 2 cups of oat mixture aside for topping. Pat remaining oat mixture into ungreased 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 minutes. Stir citrus peel into pie filling or mince meat. Carefully spread on top of baked crust. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture on top and slightly pat down. Put the whole thing back into the 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until top is golden. Cool in pan on a wire rack. If desired, drizzle with the following recipe for powdered sugar icing:

1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla or several drops of almond extract, and 1-2 tbsp milk to make a desired consistency. Makes about 1/3 of a cup of icing.