These Oatmeal Raisin Bars, from the Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook,  are a family favorite and are even yummy enough to grace my Christmas Cookie Boxes (more about that on Monday!).  Enjoy layers of Oatmeal crust, raisin filling, and cinnamon frosting in a simple three part recipe that even beginners can handle. Oatmeal Raisin Bars are quick, easy, cheap to make, and they will go fast!

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

¼ teaspoon baking soda

½ cup butter

Raisin Filling:

2 Tablespoons Sugar

2 Teaspoons Cornstarch

1 ¼ cup Raisins

Frosting:

Ground Cinnamon

Powdered Sugar

Milk

Preparation:

1.     In a medium bowl combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda.  Using a pastry blender, a fork, or your hands cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Reserve about ½ cup of the crumb mixture for the topping.

2.       Press remaining mixture into the bottom of a 9×9 pan.

3.       In a medium saucepan combine ¼ cup water, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Add 1 ¼ cups raisins.

  Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. 

Add filling on top of crumb mixture in 9×9 pan.

4.       Top with reserved crumbs and bake in a 350 oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top in golden.  Allow to cool.

5.       Mix cinnamon and powdered sugar add 1 tablespoon cold milk at a time a mix until well blended. 

Add milk until mixture becomes a drizzle-able frosting.  If the mixture gets too runny simply add a bit more powdered sugar. 

Drizzle over cooled Oatmeal Raisin mixture and cut into bars.

6.       EAT & ENJOY!!!!