by A. L. Sugden

Created on: July 30, 2008   Last Updated: August 04, 2008

I had been married for about 2 months and had agreed to have my family over for dinner. It was the first time I'd ever entertained anyone as the hostess. Before I was a hostess under my mom, who was the hostess. This time it was my home, and my cooking that the guests were enjoying. Although it was just my family, I still felt I needed to impress them. For the main course I made my signature recipe. That was an easy decision. But I needed something impressive for dessert. I found this recipe in my trusty Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. I changed only the type of pie filling. I was impressed at how easy this recipe is, and how addictingly good it is. Now I make it regularly, and can throw it together without looking at the recipe. In fact, I'm munching on it now, as I write this recipe. Mmmm.

FACTS
Preheat oven to 350
Prep time: 5 minutes
Bake time: 30 minutes
Yield: 9 fruit bars

INGREDIENTS
1 cup flour
1 cup quick oats
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup margarine
1 21 oz can blackberry pie filling

PREPARE
In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda. Use a pastry blender to cut in the margarine until mixture is crumbly. Reserve 1 cup of mixture. Pat remaining mixture into 9 x 9 pan. Pour pie filling into the pan and spread the filling to the edges. Sprinkle reserved oat mixture on top.

BAKE
Bake in 350 oven for 30 minutes, until oats are lightly browned. Allow to cool slightly before cutting into squares and serving.

TIP
You can use your favorite pie filling. And if you don't have a pastry blender, use two butter knives, one in each hand, in a scissoring motion to cut the butter into the dry ingredients. I actually prefer knives because the butter gets stuck in the pastry blender.

My family actually calls them cobbler bars, since they're alot like cobbler. They're great hot or cold, and are really good with vanilla ice cream.

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