Cherry-Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients

• 4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• Cooking spray
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg white
• 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 1 (5-ounce) package dried cherries

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. 2. Weigh or lightly spoon 4.5 ounces flour (about 1 cup) into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle butter and juice over flour mixture, stirring with a fork until moist (mixture will be crumbly). Reserve 1/2 cup oat mixture. Press remaining oat mixture into bottom of an 11 x 7–inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray.
3. 3. Combine granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons flour in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add egg white and next 3 ingredients, stirring with a whisk until blended. Stir in cherries. Spread cherry mixture over prepared crust; sprinkle reserved oat mixture evenly over filling.
4. 4. Bake at 325° for 40 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
5.  
6. Young Chefs can:
7. Add cherries to filling
8. Sprinkle reserved oat mixture over filling
9.  
10. Older Chefs can:
11. Press oat mixture into bottom of baking dish
12. Spread cherry mixture over oat mixture