Fruit Crumb Bars..

Take your pick between cranberry or apple for your fruit fix with these easy oat-topped bars.

Ingredients
Makes about 5 dozen
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Apple Filling

Ingredients
Makes 5 cups
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar
10 Granny Smith apples, cored, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Juice of half a lemon
Directions
Heat 2 tablespoons butter and 3 tablespoons brown sugar in a large skillet over high heat. When butter is melted and bubbling, add half the apples. Sprinkle apples with 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are soft and slightly golden, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
Heat remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 3 tablespoons sugar in skillet. Add remaining apples and cinnamon. Cook according to step 1. Transfer cooked apples to same large bowl. Stir in lemon juice. Cool completely before using for cookies.

Cranberry Filling

Ingredients
Makes 3 3/4 cups
6 cups cranberries
1 cup sugar
1 cup golden raisins
Directions
Place cranberries, sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, and cook until cranberries burst and the liquid they have released has become slightly thickened, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in golden raisins. Transfer to a large bowl. Cool completely before using for cookies.

Directions
Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in oats and brown sugar. Using your fingers, work butter into mixture until combined; mixture should be crumbly but hold together.
Line an 11-by-17-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Press 5 cups oat mixture into bottom of pan. Spread desired filling over oat mixture. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over filling. Bake until golden, about 40 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool. Cut into 1 1/4-by-2 1/2-inch pieces; makes about 60. Serve.

From Martha Stewart's Newletter