Who doesn't need an easy cookie recipe or quick gift idea this time of year? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Cookie exchanges, parties, potlucks, gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends , etc. etc, etc.
These Cranberry Oat Cookie Bars are your answer whether you bake the cookies or just layer the dry ingredients into a jar for a sweet gift that even the baking phobic folks will appreciate.
I love jar mixes for gifts, both giving and receiving. They make great hostess gifts and are good for teachers and busy parents and just about anyone else you can think of.
For the recipient preparation usually involves nothing more than dumping the contents of the jar in a pot or bowl with a few other ingredients and BAM! simple semi-homemade dinner or dessert like this one.
Options for Filling
The original recipe called for strawberry pie filling, which you could use if you prefer. Or cherry or apple or peach.
To make them more Autumn-y I chose cranberry sauce. It made them slightly less sugary than the pie filling would have been - which was great. I made my own from the instructions on the pack of cranberries, making sure to mash the berries as it cooked so there weren't any big cranberry chunks. Canned would work just fine.
Ingredients
For the Mix in the Jar you will need a one quart mason jar filled with:
- uncooked quick oats (rolled oats are okay but the result may be a bit chewier)
- light brown sugar
- all purpose flour
- baking soda
- cinnamon
- salt
To prepare the cookies you need
- the jar of mix
- butter
- cranberry sauce or pie filling
More Cookie Recipes from #OurFamilyTable
October is #NationalCookie Month so we've compiled some tasty cookies for you to bake.
Cookie Recipes
- Banana Pudding Cookies from Creative Cynchronicity
- Iced Lime Cookies from Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Oatmeal Raisin Toffee Cookies from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Old Fashioned Ritz Cracker Cookies from Jen Around the World
- Pumpkin Biscotti from Art of Natural Living
- Ube Cool Whip Cookies from Hezzi-D's Recipe Box
We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you're at it, join our Pinterest board, too!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 jar Fruity Oat Cookie Bar Mix (recipe below)
- ⅔ cups butter (softened)
- 2 cups Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce (or 21 ounce jar of fruit pie filling - cherry, strawberry, apple, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉.
- Combine butter and Oat Bar Mix until blended.1 jar Fruity Oat Cookie Bar Mix, ⅔ cups butter
- Press ⅔ of crumbs onto the bottom of a 9x13 pan.
- Bake 15 minutes, let cool for 5 minutes.
- If using fruit pie filling or canned cranberry sauce, blend briefly in blender until to make it less chunky.2 cups Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
- Pour cranberry sauce/pie filling over baked crust.
- Crumble remaining crumb over the top.
- Bake 20-25 minutes. Cut into bars
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups uncooked quick oats
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a one quart jar layer ingredients in the order given.2 ¼ cups uncooked quick oats, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 cup all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Top with fabric and ribbon as desired. Attach a copy of the baking instructions to the jar.
Notes
Sound fabulous? Share it!
more cookie mixes in jars
Until next time, happy eating!
~Audrey
Joanne/WineLady Cooks
Audrey, this is a wonderful cookie bar for the holidays. I have to admit I do not make bar cookies but this month I'm sold on your Cranberry Oat Cookie Bars and Cynthia's Pecan Pie Bars - I'll just keep baking - who needs to cook dinner ?!#%>
Audrey
Ha ha! That just happened to me tonight. I baked a treat even before I decided what to make for dinner.
Jamie
YUM - these look amazing!! Might have to make these for our cookie exchange this year! 🙂
Audrey
Thanks, Jamie. They are so easy to whip up.
Heather @ Join Us, Pull up a Chair
Oh what a fun cookie bar! These look super easy to make too!
Audrey
This time of year, the easier the better in my book.
Winnie
I love baking with oats, and I love cranberry - so these are wonderful cookies for me to try 🙂
Audrey
Thanks for stopping by, Winnie.
Kris ~Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies
Clever, lovely, and delicious! I love everything about this, especially the gift giving potential. Except, if I give them away then I don't get to eat them 🙂
Audrey
Make two batches like I did 😉 Problem solved, ha ha!
Alayna @AlaynasCreations
Mmmm looks great - and easy!
Looking forward to another weekend of good times with the #HomeMattersParty
Wendy @ Living Almost Naturally
These Cookie Bars look Delicious! #HomeMattersParty
Kim @ This Ole Mom
Your cookie bars look delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Coming over from Home Matters Linky. Thank yiu for hosting. Kim
Audrey
Thanks for coming by.
Sahana
Such a great idea for gift giving. And also like your twist of cranberries to make it seasonal Audrey.
Audrey
Thanks, Sahana.
Bev mcmichael
I bought the coconut salted caramel bars in a mason jar at JoAn's as a shower gift. The winner said they were delicious so I'd like the recipe please. Anyone have it?