• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

½ cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350°F (or 325°F for dark-coated metal pan). Position oven rack in middle of oven. Spray the bottom only of a 13 x 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray (or foil-line pan; see page xxiv).

Combine the cake mix, 6 tablespoons melted butter, and 1 cup of the oats in a large bowl with a wooden spoon until well blended (mixture will be crumbly); reserve 1 cup of crumb mixture. Stir the egg into the remaining mixture until well blended; press into bottom of prepared pan.

Pour the cherry pie filling over crust. Combine the reserved cake mixture, remaining oats, remaining melted butter, brown sugar, and pecans in small bowl until blended; sprinkle evenly over cherry filling.

Bake for 30–35 minutes or until filling is bubbly and topping is golden. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely. Cut into bars.

MAKES 24 LARGE OR 36 SMALL BARS.

Variation:

CHOCOLATE CHERRY PIE BARS: Prepare as directed above but use chocolate cake mix in place of vanilla cake mix and use 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips in place of the pecans.

CHEWY APRICOT GRANOLA BARS

At my house, these granola bars are standard fare, perfect for snacks, lunch bags, breakfast on the run, and late-night munching. They can be varied in multiple ways by changing out the type of dried fruit (e.g., cranberries, cherries, tropical fruit mixes, and raisins), using baking chips in place of the dried fruit (e.g., chocolate chips, carob chips, or toffee baking bits), and using different types of nuts and seeds in place of the sunflower seeds (roasted pumpkin seeds—also known as pepitas—are a delicious option).

1 (10-ounce) bag miniature marshmallows

¼ cup (½ stick) butter

3 ¾ cups granola with almonds

1½ cups crisp rice cereal

1 cup chopped dried apricots

½ cup roasted, lightly salted sunflower seeds

Line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan with foil (see page xxiv). Lightly spray foil with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine the marshmallows and butter in a large saucepan. Stir mixture until the marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat.

Stir in granola, cereal, apricots, and sunflower seeds until well blended. With a large square of wax paper, press mixture into the prepared pan. Cool completely.

Use the foil overhang to lift bars out of pan. Peel off foil. Cut into bars. Store in covered containers between layers of wax paper.

MAKES 24 BIG BARS.

CHEWY CINNAMON ROLL BARS

The taste of a rich, chewy caramel cinnamon roll is captured in these delicious bars, which can be assembled in minutes.

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1¾ cups white chocolate chips

1 (10-ounce) package miniature marshmallows

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 (15-ounce) package (13 cups) toasted oat O-shaped cereal

1 cup toffee baking bits

Line a 15 x 10 x 1-inch jelly roll pan with foil (see page xxiv). Lightly coat foil with nonstick cooking spray.

Cook the condensed milk, white chocolate chips, and marshmallows in a large saucepan or Dutch oven set over medium heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Stir in cinnamon, cereal, and toffee bits.

Turn mixture into the prepared pan. Using a square of wax paper or moist fingers, press into pan. Cool for 1–2 hours or until firm. Cut into bars. Store in covered containers between layers of wax paper.

MAKES 24 BIG BARS.

CHEWY DATE SQUARES

An old-fashioned flavor gives these squares broad appeal. The amount of water is not set in stone given that some dates are drier than others—so add more water, by the teaspoonful, as needed.

3 tablespoons butter

1 cup chopped pitted dates

1 tablespoon water

4 tablespoons packed brown sugar, divided use

3 tablespoons coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts

½ cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 cups multigrain or bran flakes cereal, crushed to 4 cups

Lightly spray a 9 x 9 x 2-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine the butter, dates, water, and 3 tablespoons of the brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly