Friday, March 5, 2010

comfort food.

dark chocolate, cranberry, nut, oat bars.

whenever i find an easy, delicious recipe,
i make it over and over again.
this is my latest, most favorite, comfort food.
i have made them three times this past week
and will make them again this weekend.
oh, if you haven't already guessed,
i'm a bit ocd, in a good way.
i am currently obsessed with these cookie bars.
i guess because they make me so happy.

makes approx. 30 servings, takes approx. 40 min.

1 cup dried cranberries {or other dried fruit}
1/4 orange juice {if you have}
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1 /2 sicks margarine, softened
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
{suga, suga how you get so fly...}
2 eggs {or 1/2 cups egg substitute}
1/2 cup chocolate chips {i like semi sweet}
1/2 cup chopped nuts {your choice}

preheat oven to 350
combine cranberries and orange juice in microwaveable bowl,
heat 30 sec. let stand 10 min. {i made them one time without oj and they turned out just fine}. meanwhile, combine flour, oats, baking powder and salt, set aside.
beat margarine and sugar in a large bowl or mixer
and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. add eggs or egg beaters,
beating until blended. add flour mixture, cranberries, chocolate chips and nuts.
spread dough in 13x9 baking pan coated with cooking spray.
bake 20-25 min. or until center is set. cool, then cut into bars.
pure awesomeness.